Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a method for drying low-quality solid carbonaceous fuels such as lignite and sub-bituminous coal to reduce the moisture content substantially to zero, and to minimize re-adsorption of moisture during storage and transporation. The method involves drying the solid fuel in a mildly reducing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of 150.degree.to 300.degree. C., preferably 200.degree.to 210.degree. C. The mildly reducing atmosphere may be provided by a gaseous lower-alkane e.g. propane and methane. In some cases, the coal may beneficiated by agglomeration with small amounts of oil.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for removing contaminants, such as hydrocarbons, from soil. The process involves contacting the contaminated soil with a suitable solvent for the contaminant, in the presence of a bridging liquid which is immiscible with the solvent, while agitating. The amount of the bridging liquid and the degree of agitation are balanced to control the particle size of the substantially contaminant- and solvent-free soil agglomerates so formed.

Abstract: In the present invention, iron sulfate is added in the form of an aqueous wash solution to coal agglomerates after separation of ash from the agglomerated coal. As the agglomerates remain in a continuous water phase, a good dispersion of the iron sulfate solution throughout the agglomerate matrix occurs. At this stage an unexpectedly strong adsorption of Fe ions onto the coal surfaces occurs without any adverse effects on agglomerate integrity and the ability to separate it selectively by floatation. Furthermore, this good dispersion also results in over 94% of the iron sulfate in the wash solution being transferred to the agglomerates. This manner of addition of iron sulphate to coal has been shown to elevate advantageously the lowest temperature at which coke formation occurs during coprocessing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sulfur-containing composite fuel is provided to utilize some high-sulfur content solid and semi-solid fuels such as tar sand coke and refinery tank sludges by reducing their sulfur emission on combustion. The method comprises the steps of making an aqueous slurry including a finely divided carbonaceous material, a comminuted sulfur capture agent and an oily agglomeration aid obtained from the refinery or tailing sludges and coagglomerating these components and an optional conditioning agent. The resulting agglomerated composite fuel has a reduced content of inorganic impurities and is suitable for fluidized-bed combustion.

Abstract: Oil sands and similar hydrocarbon-solids mixtures are separated into their components by steps comprising: mixing with a solvent for the hydrocarbon in an extraction-contacting stage including a controlled light milling action, in the presence of hydrophilic bridging liquid, under selected conditions favoring the formation of large agglomerates of substantially all hydrophilic solids; controlling the milling action to break down continuously the agglomerates so that at equilibrium the agglomerate size is much smaller than expected; separating the agglomerates from the concentrated hydrocarbon solution and stripping solvent from this solution to leave hydrocarbon product; washing the agglomerates with solvent and recycling this dilute wash solution preferably to the extraction-contacting; desolventizing the agglomerates and recycling solvent preferably to the wash stage.

Abstract: A particulate solids conveying and draining device, for mounting in a solids outlet wall, comprising a funnel-shaped rotor with particulate solids scooping members attached thereto. Each particulate solids scooping member comprises a paddle scooping portion leading to a liquid draining, particulate solids spilling, rib portion. In operation, the rotor is rotated so that the particulate solids scooping members scoop a slurry of the particulate solids and, on rotation, drain liquid therefrom through liquid return ports to the center of the funnel-shaped rotor and back to the slurry. When particulate material reaches its angle of repose on a particulate solids scooping member, it tumbles across and off the rotor on the other side of the outlet wall to that at which the slurry is situated.

Abstract: A composition for forming pressure- and heat-sensitive coatings comprising finely divided organic material of particle size from about 0.05 to 10 micrometers in diameter having a melting point above about 150.degree. C., the particles being of substantially uniform color and subject to plastic flow by heat or pressure, and a liquid carrier normally including a binder dispersed in the carrier to give a thixotropic gel. The composition optionally includes water-soluble or dispersible dye or a pigment uniformly dispersed in said particles. A method of preparing the compositions comprises precipitating the solid organic material in water, normally incorporating a binder, and optionally incorporating coloring material into the organic material to form a gel-type paste.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition giving a pressure-sensitive coating when applied to a substrate and method of preparation thereof. The composition is in the form of an aqueous gel consisting of fatty acid soap particles and a selected non-waxy binder. The soap-forming cations are selected from sodium, potassium, and ammonium and the non-waxy binder is of the type of, vinyl acetate polymers and copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, and mixtures thereof. The coating is deposited in the form of transparent, crystalline particles.

Abstract: Waste paper, particularly newsprint, is treated to release adhering ink particles (e.g. pigment carbon) from the paper fibers, and the ink solids (and organic contaminants) are then preferentially collected on the surface of inserted non-soap solids which have an affinity for, and are of larger size than, the ink solids. The ink-coated solids can be removed from the system by suitable physical means such as hydrocyclones, screens or decantation.

Abstract: Tar sands and like mineral solids-plus petroleum deposits are separated into a petroleum fraction and a solids fraction by contacting with an organic solvent or diluent (in one or more stages) to give a liquid slurry, providing in the system a small amount of an aqueous agglomerating liquid, mixing and agitating until discrete compact agglomerates of hydrophilic solids form, separating the solid easily-handled agglomerates and recovering the petroleum fraction and solvent or diluent. This process avoids the large volumes of aqueous effluent inherent in the "hot water" and other processes using large amounts of water. The solid agglomerates may be used as clean fill, sintered to aggregate, or modified to serve as soil amendments.

Abstract: Composite metal articles of high density are made from iron and lead or a lead-rich alloy in proportions suitably of about 25 to about 90 wt. % iron, when present up to about 5 wt. % of a lead alloy-forming element aiding wetting of the iron, and the balance substantially all lead. Preferably copper, zinc, tin, indium or mixtures thereof are present to aid wetting the iron phase.Composite bird shot, for instance, is prepared e.g. by matrix formation and infiltration, or by agglomeration techniques, or by other techniques, with, if desired, a final mechanical shaping or compaction. The presence of iron has been found to cause a significant reduction in toxicity to birds on ingestion.

Abstract: A rotatable drum having an interior which tapers in a horizontal direction has a first port at the smaller end for receiving particulate Tar Sands or coal, and an agglomerating liquid, e.g. water, and a second port at the larger end for receiving an organic material separating liquid, e.g. Varsol, with which the agglomerating liquid is immiscible. The first port is, for example, larger than the second port so that the separating liquid will drain from the drum through the first port. A conveying means delivers the particulate material and agglomerating liquid into the drum interior, and the separating liquid forms a slurry therewith so that inorganic residue from the particulate material is formed into ball agglomerates as it tumbles along the drum and the ball agglomerates overflow through the second port while the separating liquid fed into the second port separates organic material from the particulate material (Tar Sands) in the drum and overflows therewith through the first port.

Abstract: A process for upgrading an ilmenite concentrate by agglomerating the ilmenite fraction and removing gangue materials such as complex silicates in an aqueous phase. An aqueous dispersion of the concentrate suitably ground to about 60% minus 400 mesh is formed, the pH is adjusted in the range of 4 - 5.5, 5-10 lbs./ton of a conditioner such as oleic acid is added, followed by 100-200 lbs./ton of a binder liquid such as a light petroleum oil, and the mixture agitated to cause ilmenite solids in the mixture to absorb the oil thus forming spherical oil-bonded agglomerates containing the ilmenite values. The silicate gangue is removed in aqueous tailings and the agglomerated product separated and further treated to recover pigment grade titanium dioxide.