Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for separating materials of small size. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a separation tub which can be filled with a liquid up to a preselected level, means for introducing a conveying liquid with the materials to be separated into the tub below said preselected level under a pressure which is higher than that existing the area of introduction due to the effect of the weight of the liquid in the tub, and first and second material-ejection means arranged at said preselected level and, respectively, at the tub bottom to eject lighter and, respectively, heavier material.

Abstract: Flotation apparatus for flocculated solid material has a flotation tank alongside a passage for upward flow of liquid carrying the solid material. A wall of the passage on the side towards the tank has a top portion curved over to its free edge to provide a submerged weir over which the liquid passes from the passage into the tank. To prevent turbulence in the liquid on passing over the weir and to prevent a preferential flow path in the flotation tank, the tank itself has, on its side towards the upward flow passage, a side wall which is generally spaced from the side wall of the passage but joins the latter wall away from the said free edge. The tank side wall slopes downwardly away from the passage from a point located inwardly of the tank with respect to the free edge.

Abstract: A plastic ring has a circumferential groove formed in its outer peripheral surface. The ring is fitted in a bowl-type centrifuge rotor such that the ring's outer surface contacts the inner wall of the rotor. The channel is defined by the groove and rotor wall. The rotor is filled with a compensating liquid to reduce centrifugal stress on the plastic and to reduce leakage from the channel.

Abstract: A free floating plastic channel for sedimentation field flow fractionation is suspended in a centrifuge rotor filled with a compensating liquid. The channel is constructed of a plastic central hub assembly fitted with a plastic outer ring preferably of a lower density than the hub. The hub contains a shallow channel on its outer surface and is interference-fitted to the outer ring to insure a liquid tight seal at zero force field. With the liquid totally surrounding the hub-outer ring assembly, stresses on the plastic parts are essentially equalized even under high force fields and leakage from the channel at the hub-ring interface is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A free floating plastic channel for sedimentation field flow fractionation is suspended in a centrifuge rotor filled with a compensating liquid. The channel is constructed of a plastic central hub assembly fitted with a plastic outer ring preferably having a lower density than the hub. The outer ring contains a shallow channel on its radially inner surface and is interference-fitted to the inner ring to insure a liquid tight seal at zero force field. With the liquid totally surrounding the hub-outer ring assembly, stresses on the plastic parts are essentially equalized even under high force fields and leakage from the channel at the hub-ring interface is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A process, and apparatus for recovering cellulose fibers from contaminated paper-plastic mixtures by exposing the mix to controlled wetting to increase the weight of paper cellulose components relative to the weight of the plastic components; subjecting the wetted mixture to abrasive forces to fiberize the paper component and then separating the fiberized paper cellulose product from the plastics and other contaminants, to yield several classified products showing distinctly improved quality.

Abstract: This specification discloses a greatly simplified method and system for recovering coal from a particulate coal bearing slurry (1) in which an appropriate hydrophobic liquid or emulsion of hydrophobic liquid in water (2) is introduced into the inlet of a centrifugal turbulent flow slurry pump (3) simultaneously with the introduction of said coal bearing slurry to said pump inlet, said hydrophobic liquid being introduced in a quantity sufficient to achieve substantially intimate contact between said hydrophobic liquid and coal particles in said slurry whereby the coal may be separated from the slurry by discharging the slurry from the pump directly over a simple static screen or other suitable separating device (4) whereupon the separated coal matter (5) may be collected for subsequent use.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, entrained, dense particulate materials are removed from an elongated body of less dense fibrous materials being transported by a moving fluid stream by reducing the velocity of said fluid stream by an amount and for a time sufficient to release a substantial portion of said dense particulate materials, but insufficient to stop the transport of the elongated body of less dense fibrous material by the moving fluid stream.

Abstract: A unique, high-grade magnetite obtained from fly ash, the use thereof in the cleaning of coal, and low iron content fly ash.

Abstract: An expansible chamber is expanded to create a partial vacuum within the chamber. Following expansion, a burst of fluid pressure, attended by fluid flow and an acoustical wave, is introduced into the chamber. Simultaneously, the chamber is forcibly contracted. This transducer produces a square acoustical wave. When the transducer is incorporated into the hutch of a mining jig, it results in the pulling of agglomerations of minute particles down out of the gangue and into the hutch chamber. An annular valve member is movable axially towards and away from a valve seat. The valve member includes a concave sealing surface which mates against a convex valve seat having a smaller radius of curvature. Sealing contact is made adjacent the high pressure side of the valve. A gap is created which widens from the zone of contact towards the low pressure side of the valve.

Abstract: A screen intended for screening pulp chips or equivalent, wherein two or more screen baskets are fitted one above the other. At least one of these baskets consists of two or more screw spirals journalled to the screen basket, the spiral wings of said spirals being fitted as interlocking in between each other. The outer circumference of each wing extends to the proximity of the mantle face of the core part of the adjoining spiral. The adjoining spirals are opposite-handed and have opposite directions of rotation, their rotation being synchronized in relation to each other, and the distance of the interlocking parts of the wings from each other corresponds to the maximum acceptable thickness of the chips.Two screen baskets fitted one above the other are supported by the frame, and they are connected to each other by units that permit free movement of vibration of one or both of the screen baskets. The movement of vibration is produced by transferring a cam shaft movement from one basket to the other.

Abstract: Fractionation apparatus (20) is disclosed which utilizes a rapidily rotating disk which receives a liquid suspension of particles to be separated onto its rotating face surface (35). When the film of liquid and particles on the rotating face surface (35) reaches the peripheral edge (38) of the face, particles above a certain size are radially ejected while smaller particles and the liquid are carried over the edge onto the surface of a depending rim (39). The suspension of smaller particles and liquid is carried down the rim to the rim edge (40) at which point the smaller particles and liquid are disengaged. A separator wall (27) may be interposed between the two streams of particles emanating from the disk (24) to provide a physical separation of the larger and smaller particles once they have left the disk.

Abstract: A method for removing ash, sulfur and inertinite from crushed coal includes float/sink treatment in aqueous solutions of monosaccharides, disaccharides, hydrogenated monosaccharides, hydrogenated disaccharides and mixtures thereof. Such solutions also improve the performance of such heavy media physical cleaning equipment as cyclones, heavy media baths, tables, spirals, hydroclones, flotation cells, jigs and solid-bowl centrifuges.

Abstract: A method and a magnetic separator are disclosed particularly for the removal of particles of low magnetic susceptibility, present usually as impurities and often largely of submicron sizes, from aqueous slurries of clay or other minute mineral particles. A high intensity magnetic field is established between vertically spaced pole members in the general direction of flow of the slurry through a canister disposed between confronting surfaces of the pole members, the canister being packed with multitudinous elongate ferromagnetic elements which present surface irregularities with each contacting, yet also spaced from others, so as to constitute a flux conductive matrix that diverts the slurry flow into diverse courses and concentrates the flux at myriad points therein.

Abstract: Ground ore is processed in a series of three spiral concentrators wherein the initial spiral is operated to reject a tailing of a predetermined low value, the second spiral is operated to maximize the removal of locked middlings, and the third spiral is operated to obtain a concentrate of a predetermined value.

Abstract: Cooling air is introduced into the vibrating chamber of a sand reclaiming apparatus. A plurality of hollow inverted V-shaped ribs, extending longitudinally along the floor of the chamber distribute the air from an external source over the bottom region of the chamber. A gap is included between the lower edges of the ribs and the chamber floor. The air traveling within the hollow of the ribs is expanded about the lower edges of the ribs and directed upwardly through the bonded sand particles to effect cooling.

Abstract: The channel in a sedimentation field flow fractionation apparatus is improved by the use of a heavy liquid layer formed of a water immiscible, chemically inert, nontoxic material. This thin, heavy liquid layer prevents the sample from plating on the outer channel wall thereby permits a less perfect finish to be formed and to some degree corrects lack of circularity of the channel. Where multiple channels are used, the use of this layer reduces leakage between adjacent channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning grain and the like by gravity feeding through a casing having within it a central zig-zag chute with top-hinged screens resting across openings in each underside of each zig and each zag of the chute, the action of the grain itself resonating the screens for increased agitation. A large access door to the edge of the screens permits each inspection and replacement as the screens are hinged by means of a top strip which slides into an open-ended slot at the knee of each zig and each zag.

Abstract: A screening cylinder for use in screening apparatus for paper making stock includes a reinforcing skeleton structure comprising multiple bars extending generally axially of the inside of the cylinder which are welded to relatively heavy reinforcing hoops located at both ends of the cylinder and at a plurality of uniformly spaced locations along the length of the cylinder. Between each adjacent pair of these hoops is a plurality of circular rings of metal rod material arranged in closely spaced relation with each other and with the hoops to define a corresponding plurality of circumferentially extending screening slots.

Abstract: A unique, high-grade magnetite obtained from fly ash, the use thereof in the cleaning of coal, and low iron content fly ash.