Abstract: A method of forming a preform which has a glass core surrounded by an outer glass cladding with a coating of an particulate optically active material disposed between the core and cladding. The method includes providing a glass core having a viscosity which lies within a given preselected temperature range, followed by forming a coherent coating of an optically active particulate material over the surface of the core, with the coating material having a viscosity which is equal to or less than the viscosity of the glass core. A glass cladding is formed over the coated layer, with the cladding glass having a viscosity which overlaps the viscosity of the core glass. The optically active material is an inorganic material which includes a metal, metal alloy, ferrite, magnetic material and a semiconductor. The invention includes the product formed by the process.

Abstract: Systems for fluids (including liquids) and materials with a fluid phase. The material is confined in a primary containment, and a secondary containment is used to keep fluid leaking from the primary containment from the surrounding environs and to keep leachates and other fluids from the primary containment. A safe, non-toxic liquid in the interspace between the two containments is employed in detecting leaks in the containments and can also be employed to protect the containments against chemical attack.

Abstract: Methods of recovering agglomerated particles of a carbonaceous constituent such as coal from a composite of that constituent and mineral matter. An additive is incorporated into a slurry of the composite to control the agglomeration time and/or to insure that the carbonaceous particles will agglomerate. Appropriate additives are:Naturally occurring hydrocarbonaceous substances such as road asphalts, Gilsonite, pentane extracts of coals, tar sands oils, coal tars, and alcohols having six or more carbon atomsCastor oilIsopropyl etherHydrolized linseed oil2-Ethylhexyl acetateIonic dispersants such as ammonium salts of lignosulfonatesNonionic dispersants such as dextrinsA compound having the formula R--O--R, R.sub.2 --CO, R--COOH, or R--COOR where R is an aliphatic moiety having at least six carbon atoms.

Abstract: Compositions containing coal and water which can be used as fuels and for other purposes such as feedstocks for coal gasification and liquefaction processes. In addition to the coal and water the composition may contain a minor amount of an organic or inorganic composition capable of reducing the viscosity of the coal-water system.

Abstract: Methods of converting raw coals into low ash fuels which are competitive with the heavier grades of petroleum-based fuels and into other products. The raw coal is comminuted in aqueous slurry until resolved into separate, particulate phases of coal and mineral matter. Then, an agglomerating agent is mixed with the slurry until the coal particles have coalesced into agglomerates, and the agglomerates are recovered from the slurry. The ash content of the product coal can be reduced even further by redispersing the product coal in clean water and then reagglomerating the particles of coal and/or by subjecting it to an acid leach.

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: Agglomeration type processes for recovering coal in which calcium oxide is employed to bring about an effective separation of pyritic sulfur from the coal.

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: Methods of separating solids from mixtures in which they are incorporated by milling the mixture in the presence of a fluorochlorocarbon.

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: 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: 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.