Abstract: Stirred ball mills which have a casing that houses serially related sets of elongated, longitudinally extending stirring elements. The elements of each set are supported in a concentric array about and from a rotatable shaft. Complementary arrays of stirring elements may be supported from the casing, and it and the shaft can be rotated in opposite directions to optimize the stirring of the grinding balls in the mill. Also, concentric arrays of stirring elements may be assembled to the shaft or the shaft and the casing for this purpose. The stirring rods also cause the grinding balls to scour and thereby prevent plugging of a screen located at the discharge end of the mill to keep the grinding balls from escaping. The mill can be tilted in a manner that results in the grinding balls being uniformly distributed along the length of the casing.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for cleaning coal in which halogenated hydrocarbons are used as parting liquids. Various novel techniques, components, and combinations thereof are employed to maximize efficiency; to minimize costs and adverse environmental impacts; to make it possible to recover coal of a character which has heretofore been economically unrecoverable; to produce a superior product; and to reach other worthwhile goals.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for cleaning coal in which halogenated hydrocarbons are used as parting liquids. Various novel techniques, components, and combinations thereof are employed to maximize efficiency; to minimize costs and adverse environmental impacts; to make it possible to recover coal of a character which has heretofore been economically unrecoverable; to produce a superior product; and to reach other worthwhile goals.

Abstract: Multi-phase mixtures are resolved into separate phases by introducing the mixture into a body of liquid which contains a solvent for one of said phases and has a specific gravity intermediate two insoluble phases of the mixture. The latter accordingly migrate to different levels in the body of liquid and can be separately recovered therefrom. Solvent laden with the soluble phase is also separately removed from the body of liquid, and the solvent can then be stripped to isolate the soluble phase.

Abstract: Coal recovery processes of the agglomeration type in which solvent extraction with a fluorocarbon solvent is used to recover the agglomeration promoting additive.

Abstract: The transporting of solids using selected fluorochlorocarbons as carriers. Techniques of recovering the carrier are also disclosed as are novel solids handling and processing systems in which the compositions employed as carriers are also used to effect a heavy liquid resolution of solids.

Abstract: A method of beneficiating coal in which the coal is conditioned by agitating it in the presence of a dense halogenated hydrocarbon and a surface active agent to effect a transfer of surface water from the coal to mineral matter associated therewith and an agglomeration of the mineral matter and to envelop the coal in a film of the surface active agent. The conditioned coal is then introduced into a halogenated hydrocarbon bath having a specific gravity intermediate those of the coal and the mineral matter. The agglomerated mineral matter sinks to the bottom of the bath in the region of feedstock introduction, and the coal disperses in and migrates to the top of the bath.

Abstract: Processes for recovering coal from a particulate composite in which the composite is mechanically worked in the presence of an agglomeration promoting additive and in an aqueous carrier to effect a separation of the particles of coal in the composite from mineral matter associated therewith, a coalescence of the coal particles into product coal agglomerates, and a dispersion of the mineral matter in the aqueous carrier. The product coal agglomerates are resolved into their particulate constituents, and the latter are subjected to a density differential separation which effects a separation of that material in the agglomerates which has a relatively low mineral matter content and a high coal content from that having a higher content of mineral matter.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for cleaning coal in which halogenated hydrocarbons are used as parting liquids. Various novel techniques, components, and combinations thereof are employed to maximize efficiency; to minimize costs and adverse environmental impacts; to make it possible to recover coal of a character which has heretofore been economically unrecoverable; to produce a superior product; and to reach other worthwhile goals.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for recovering bitumen from tar sands and the like in which the tar sand is mechanically dislodged from the formation in which it is deposited and in which a solvent for the bitumen is mixed with the mined material to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen and thereby facilitate the transfer of the mined material to an operation where the bitumen is separated from solid components of the tar sand.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for cleaning coal in which halogenated hydrocarbons are used as parting liquids. Various novel techniques, components, and combinations thereof are employed to maximize efficiency; to minimize costs and adverse environmental impacts; to make it possible to recover coal of a character which has heretofore been economically unrecoverable; to produce a superior product; and to reach other worthwhile goals.

Abstract: A method of using fluorinated hydrocarbons as a carrier to convey mined coal to a separation station. The carrier acts as a parting liquid for beneficiating the coal. The carrier is recovered and returned to the mine for conveying more coal. Some of the returned carrier may be used at the mining face as a dust suppressant. Ash from burning the coal may be returned with the carrier where it is disposed of as waste material.

Abstract: Coal is separated in a gravity separator using a fluorinated hydrocarbon parting liquid. The cleaned coal is burned and the ash mixed with recovered parting liquid and returned to the gravity separator. Additives may be dispersed in the parting liquid to alter the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the products. The additive may be a dustproofing or a waterproofing agent.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for cleaning coal in which fluorochlorocarbons are used as parting liquids. Various novel techniques, components, and combinations thereof are employed to maximize efficiency; to minimize costs and adverse environmental impacts; to make it possible to recover coal of a character which has heretofore been economically unrecoverable; to produce a superior product; and to reach other worthwhile goals.

Abstract: Methods of modifying the viscosity of bituminous materials in which a fluoro or chlorofluoro derivative of a lower alkane is mixed therewith, and processes involving and employing products so modified.

Abstract: Methods of modifying the viscosity of hydrocarbonaceous materials in which a fluoro or chlorofluoro derivative of a lower alkane is mixed therewith, and processes involving and employing products so modified.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for recovering bitumen from tar sands and the like in which the tar sand is mechanically dislodged from the formation in which it is deposited and in which a solvent for the bitumen is mixed with the mined material to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen and thereby facilitate the transfer of the mined material to an operation where the bitumen is separated from solid components of the tar sand.

Abstract: Multi-phase mixtures are resolved into separate phases by introducing the mixture into a body of liquid which contains a solvent for one of said phases and has a specific gravity intermediate two insoluble phases of the mixture. The latter accordingly migrate to different levels in the body of liquid and can be separately recovered therefrom. Solvent laden with the soluble phase is also separately removed from the body of liquid, and the solvent can then be stripped to isolate the soluble phase.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands, oil shales, exhausted oil bearing formations and the like by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for separating hydrocarbonaceous substances from mineral solids with which they are mixed, in situ or after they have been removed from the geological formation in which they occur. A solvent extraction technique is employed; and trichlorofluoromethane is used as, or a major constituent of, the extraction solvent.