Abstract: A rotary molding system configured to mold food products includes a fill plate through which food product is configured to pass, a cylindrical rotatable drum having mold cavities into which the food product is configured to be deposited, and a platen mounted within the drum. The platen has a plurality of passageways configured to be in communication with the mold cavities. Drum roller supports and rollers are provided on the platen. The extends partially outwardly from the platen and are in contact with the drum.

Abstract: A rotary molding system configured to mold food products includes a fill plate through which food product is configured to pass, a cylindrical rotatable drum having mold cavities into which the food product is configured to be deposited, and a platen mounted within the drum. The platen has a plurality of passageways configured to be in communication with the mold cavities. Drum roller supports and rollers are provided on the platen. The extends partially outwardly from the platen and are in contact with the drum.

Abstract: A rotary molding system for use in a patty forming machine and configured to mold food products and a fill plate for use within the rotary molding system are provided. A replaceable wear plate is provided which seats between a reciprocating stripper plate and a fill plate. Each plate has holes through which food product passes. A drum having mold cavities receives the food product from the fill plate.

Abstract: A process for producing crystalline sodium bicarbonate, comprising: providing an aqueous sodium-bicarbonate containing liquor originating from a reactive crystallization step in which first sodium bicarbonate crystals are produced and recovered; feeding at least a portion of said aqueous sodium-bicarbonate containing liquor to a cooling crystallization unit to form second sodium bicarbonate crystals and produce a crystals slurry comprising the second sodium bicarbonate crystals; and withdrawing a portion of the crystals slurry from the cooling crystallization unit for the withdrawn second sodium bicarbonate crystals to be further processed. A portion of the second sodium bicarbonate crystals withdrawn from the cooling crystallization unit may be fed to a sodium bicarbonate reactive crystallization unit, to a caustic unit, or may be separated and dried.

Abstract: A method for in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite stratum using a set of wells in fluid communication with at least one mineral cavity with some wells operated in solvent injection mode and other wells operated in brine production mode and optionally with some inactive wells, comprising switching the operation mode of one or more wells. The evaporite mineral preferably comprises trona. The at least one cavity may be formed by directionally drilled uncased boreholes or by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure to create an interfacial gap. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing crystalline sodium bicarbonate, comprising: providing an aqueous sodium-bicarbonate containing liquor originating from a reactive crystallization step in which first sodium bicarbonate crystals are produced and recovered; feeding at least a portion of said aqueous sodium-bicarbonate containing liquor to a cooling crystallization unit to form second sodium bicarbonate crystals and produce a crystals slurry comprising the second sodium bicarbonate crystals; and withdrawing a portion of the crystals slurry from the cooling crystallization unit for the withdrawn second sodium bicarbonate crystals to be further processed. A portion of the second sodium bicarbonate crystals withdrawn from the cooling crystallization unit may be fed to a sodium bicarbonate reactive crystallization unit, to a caustic unit, or may be separated and dried.

Abstract: A method for in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite stratum using a set of wells in fluid communication with at least one mineral cavity with some wells operated in solvent injection mode and other wells operated in brine production mode and optionally with some inactive wells, comprising switching the operation mode of one or more wells. The evaporite mineral preferably comprises trona. The at least one cavity may be formed by directionally drilled uncased boreholes or by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure to create an interfacial gap. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A rotary molding system for use in a patty forming machine and configured to mold food products and a fill plate for use within the rotary molding system are provided. A replaceable wear plate is provided which seats between a reciprocating stripper plate and a fill plate. Each plate has holes through which food product passes. A drum having mold cavities receives the food product from the fill plate.

Abstract: A food forming system includes a rotatable drum, an inner platen, and a first insert plate. The rotatable drum comprises an aperture. The inner platen is disposed in a fixed position within the rotatable drum. The rotatable drum is configured to rotate relative to the inner platen. When the rotatable drum is in a first rotated position the inner platen blocks the aperture, and when the rotatable drum is in a second rotated position the inner platen does not block the aperture. The first insert plate is attached to the rotatable drum directly over the aperture. The first insert plate includes a first food forming pattern having at least one opening.

Abstract: A method for in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite stratum using a set of wells in fluid communication with at least one mineral cavity with some wells operated in solvent injection mode and other wells operated in brine production mode and optionally with some inactive wells, comprising switching the operation mode of one or more wells. The evaporite mineral preferably comprises trona. The at least one cavity may be formed by directionally drilled uncased boreholes or by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure to create an interfacial gap. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Utilization of mine methane produced by mining a non-combustible ore, such as trona, as an energy source for heat, steam, and/or power generation. Such utilization is beneficial for a surface appliance which is close to surface outlet(s) of mine methane recovery system(s). A method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated during mining of a non-combustible ore uses the combustion of co-produced mine methane. The mine methane is recovered in a mine ventilation air exhaust with very low methane content, and may be additionally recovered in a drainage gas, such as gob gas, with much higher methane content. The surface appliance may be selected from the group consisting of calciner, dryer, boiler, kiln, furnace, engine, turbine, power generation unit, co-generation unit, and any combinations thereof. Benefits may include reduction in energy purchases, reduction in greenhouse emissions, and/or gain through sale of carbon credits to the carbon market by registering carbon reductions.

Abstract: Batch initiation and/or exploitation phases of in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite mineral stratum. The initiation phase may comprise a lifting step which employs a lithological displacement (lifting) of this stratum from an underlying non-evaporite stratum with application at the strata interface of a lifting hydraulic pressure greater than overburden pressure by a solvent suitable to dissolve the mineral; a soaking step for dissolution of mineral upon contact with stationary solvent, and a brine extraction step. The method may further comprise one or more exploitation phases carried out after the initiation phase. The exploitation phase may comprise a partial filing or filling step with the same solvent or different solvent than during lifting, another soaking step, and another brine extraction step. The lifting, cavity partial filing/filling, and brine extraction steps are being discontinuous. The evaporite mineral stratum preferably comprises trona.

Abstract: A method for in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite stratum using a set of wells in fluid communication with at least one mineral cavity with some wells operated in solvent injection mode and other wells operated in brine production mode and optionally with some inactive wells, comprising switching the operation mode of one or more wells. The evaporite mineral preferably comprises trona. The at least one cavity is preferably formed by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof, rock salt, or potash. This method can provide more uniform dissolution of mineral in the cavity, can minimize flow channeling, can minimize sodium bicarbonate blinding for solution mining of incongruent trona ore, and/or may avoid uneven deposit of insolubles.

Abstract: Batch initiation and/or exploitation phases of in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite mineral stratum. The initiation phase may comprise a lifting step which employs a lithological displacement (lifting) of this stratum from an underlying non-evaporite stratum with application at the strata interface of a lifting hydraulic pressure greater than overburden pressure by a solvent suitable to dissolve the mineral; a soaking step for dissolution of mineral upon contact with stationary solvent, and a brine extraction step. The method may further comprise one or more exploitation phases carried out after the initiation phase. The exploitation phase may comprise a partial filing or filling step with the same solvent or different solvent than during lifting, another soaking step, and another brine extraction step. The lifting, cavity partial filing/filling, and brine extraction steps are being discontinuous. The evaporite mineral stratum preferably comprises trona.

Abstract: A process for the joint production of crystalline sodium bicarbonate and another alkali compound, in which the step for producing such alkali compound generates CO2 as a byproduct, at least a portion of which is used as a feed to the sodium bicarbonate production step. The produced alkali compound is preferably crystalline sodium sulfite. The joint production process preferably employs as feedstock one or more sodium carbonate liquors derived from trona ore. A gas feed which contains CO2 byproduct is subjected to a gas treatment which may include water removal and/or compression before it is used to produce sodium bicarbonate crystals from a sodium carbonate liquor. Such gas feed may comprise a reactor offgas exiting a sulfite reactor; a vent gas exiting a feed or surge tank; a decarbonation gas exiting a decarbonation unit; a vent gas vented from a crystallizer heater; or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A method for in situ solution mining of a mineral from an underground evaporite stratum using a set of wells in fluid communication with at least one mineral cavity with some wells operated in solvent injection mode and other wells operated in brine production mode and optionally with some inactive wells, comprising switching the operation mode of one or more wells. The evaporite mineral preferably comprises trona. The at least one cavity may be formed by directionally drilled uncased boreholes or by lithological displacement of the evaporite stratum at a weak interface with an underlying insoluble stratum by application of a lifting hydraulic pressure to create an interfacial gap. The extracted brine can be processed to make valuable products such as soda ash and/or any derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for the joint production of crystalline sodium bicarbonate and another alkali compound, in which the step for producing such alkali compound generates CO2 as a byproduct, at least a portion of which is used as a feed to the sodium bicarbonate production step. The produced alkali compound is preferably crystalline sodium sulfite. The joint production process preferably employs as feedstock one or more sodium carbonate liquors derived from trona ore. A gas feed which contains CO2 byproduct is subjected to a gas treatment which may include water removal and/or compression before it is used to produce sodium bicarbonate crystals from a sodium carbonate liquor. Such gas feed may comprise a reactor offgas exiting a sulfite reactor; a vent gas exiting a feed or surge tank; a decarbonation gas exiting a decarbonation unit; a vent gas vented from a crystallizer heater; or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A particulate sodium bicarbonate product with an excellent flowability characterized by an angle of repose less than 30 degrees. An angle of repose of less than 27.5 is particularly good. The product is preferably in the form of ovoid or spherical particles, in that the particles have a mean axial ratio of at least 0.5. In some embodiments, the sodium bicarbonate product has a smooth particle surface in which less than 75% of the particle surface is covered with spikes. The particles may have a mean diameter D50 of at least 75 microns but less than 300 microns. The particulate sodium bicarbonate product comprises inorganic and organic impurities embedded in its polycrystalline structure, for example at least 75 ppm TOC; or at least 30 ppm Ca; or from 1 to 18 ppm Mg; or more than 0.6 g/kg NaCl; and/or from 100 to less than 500 ppm Si. A process for manufacturing such product, and its use for the treatment of pollutants in gases such as removal of acid gas.

Abstract: A particulate sodium bicarbonate product with an excellent flowability characterized by an angle of repose less than 30 degrees. An angle of repose of less than 27.5 is particularly good. The product is preferably in the form of ovoid or spherical particles, in that the particles have a mean axial ratio of at least 0.5. In some embodiments, the sodium bicarbonate product has a smooth particle surface in which less than 75% of the particle surface is covered with spikes. The particles may have a mean diameter D50 of at least 75 microns but less than 300 microns. The particulate sodium bicarbonate product comprises inorganic and organic impurities embedded in its polycrystalline structure, for example at least 75 ppm TOC; or at least 30 ppm Ca; or from 1 to 18 ppm Mg; or more than 0.6 g/kg NaCl; and/or from 100 to less than 500 ppm Si. A process for manufacturing such product, and its use for the treatment of pollutants in gases such as removal of acid gas.

Abstract: A method of producing crystals of crystallizable mineral salt comprises introducing an effluent comprising a dissolved crystallizable mineral salt at a temperature higher than the mineral salt crystallization temperature to a crystallization pond area to provide a pond solution; cooling the pond solution to provide cooling crystallization promoting conditions effective to form a crystalline mineral salt deposit; stopping the flow of the effluent; draining remaining spent liquor to a liquor pond area; and recovering the deposit. Cooling the pond solution may comprise exposure to cool ambient temperatures which are lower than the crystallization temperature. Preferably, the mineral salt includes or is sodium carbonate decahydrate; the pond solution comprises less than 10% NaCl; and/or the decahydrate deposit is sent or recycled to a soda ash plant. The deposit thus formed by cooling crystallization has a higher purity, lower hardness, and/or lower density than a deposit formed by evaporative crystallization.