Abstract: A reactor (110) serves to combust residual carbon in fine particulate matter, remove a contaminant from fine particulate matter, or change the composition of fine particulate matter. The reactor output is processed by particle collection devices (115, 125, 140, 155, 175) and heat exchangers (135, 150, 165) to provide particle outputs (118, 124, 131, 144, 159) of different sizes. A contaminant, such as carbon or a metal, is combusted, vaporized, volatized, broken down, or substantially appears on one particle output (144) so that another particle output and the exhaust gas (142) are substantially contaminant-free. Different outputs can also be selectively mixed, as desired, to product a combined output (171). Fly ash and silica fume can be processed separately or together to reduce the amount of unburned carbon in both. Metals can also be removed from the fine particulate matter. Kaolin can also be processed to produce metakaolin.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing fly ash comprising a heated refractory-lined vessel having a series of spaced angled rows of swirl-inducing nozzles which cause cyclonic and/or turbulent air flow of the fly ash when introduced in the vessel, thus increasing the residence time of airborne particles. Also disclosed is a method of fly ash beneficiation using the apparatus.

Abstract: A reactor (110) serves to combust residual carbon in fine particulate matter, remove a contaminant from fine particulate matter, or change the composition of fine particulate matter. The reactor output is processed by particle collection devices (115, 125, 140, 155, 175) and heat exchangers (135, 150, 165) to provide particle outputs (118, 124, 131, 144, 159) of different sizes. A contaminant, such as carbon or a metal, is combusted, vaporized, volatized, broken down, or substantially appears on one particle output (144) so that another particle output and the exhaust gas (142) are substantially contaminant-free. Different outputs can also be selectively mixed, as desired, to product a combined output (171). Fly ash and silica fume can be processed separately or together to reduce the amount of unburned carbon in both. Metals can also be removed from the fine particulate matter. Kaolin can also be processed to produce metakaolin.

Abstract: A reactor (110) serves to combust residual carbon in fine particulate matter, remove a contaminant from fine particulate matter, or change the composition of fine particulate matter. The reactor output is processed by particle collection devices (115, 125, 140, 155, 175) and heat exchangers (135, 150, 165) to provide particle outputs (118, 124, 131, 144, 159) of different sizes. A contaminant, such as carbon or a metal, is combusted, vaporized, volatized, broken down, or substantially appears on one particle output (144) so that another particle output and the exhaust gas (142) are substantially contaminant-free. Different outputs can also be selectively mixed, as desired, to product a combined output (171). Fly ash and silica fume can be processed separately or together to reduce the amount of unburned carbon in both. Metals can also be removed from the fine particulate matter. Kaolin can also be processed to produce metakaolin.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing fly ash comprising a heated refractory-lined vessel having a series of spaced angled rows of swirl-inducing nozzles which cause cyclonic and/or turbulent air flow of the fly ash when introduced in the vessel, thus increasing the residence time of airborne particles. Also disclosed is a method of fly ash beneficiation using the apparatus.