Abstract: The invention comprises a method for densifying powders utilizing a pair of opposed gas-permeable belts arranged to either side of a common axis so as to define a generally convergent densifying zone between their adjacent faces. The belts are supported spanwise by a plurality of opposed spaced apart support rolls, each opposed pair of rolls defining a densifying station therebetween. The gas-permeable belts are driven toward the convergent end of the densing zone at substantially equal speeds while powder material to be densified is fed into the divergent end of the densifying zone at a rate sufficient to maintain a substantially complete fill thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein powder densifying apparatus comprising a pair of opposed gas-permeable belts arranged to either side of a common axis so as to define a generally convergent densifying zone between their adjacent faces. The belts are multiply supported spanwise by a plurality of opposed spaced apart support rolls, each opposed pair of rolls defining a densifying station therebetween. The gas-permeable belts are driven toward the convergent end of the densifying zone at substantially equal speeds while powder material to be densified is fed into the divergent end of the densifying zone at a rate sufficient to maintain a substantially complete fill thereof.

Abstract: An inlet stream of particulate material is successively split into smaller stream segments. The segments are spread across a conveyor belt in a magnetic or conductivity separator. Inlet and intermediate stages of the splitter include troughs of triangular cross section to concentrate the streams before splitting them. The flow direction is reversed in each stage to facilitate the axial concentration of the material stream.