Abstract: A process is described for solubilizing lead contained in ores mineralized with sulphidic minerals by in-situ leaching with an acetic acid and acetate containing solution in presence of an oxidant. The in-situ leaching is conducted by means of drillholes in the ore body. In another embodiment the acetic acid and acetate containing solution is percolated through a bed of crushed untreated rock or unconsolidated mineral particles, mill tailings and/or agglomerated or unagglomerated sulphidic lead containing waste material, forming a pile or a layer in an open vat, in presence of an oxidant. Lead is recovered from the pregnant lead acetate containing solution and the solution may subsequently be recycled to further leaching of lead sulphidic minerals or lead sulphide containing particles.

Abstract: Persistent chemisorption bonds of clay solids in clay-containing heavy oil and water emulsions, from oil sands, heavy oil or conventional oil wells, are broken down by mixing the emulsion with an aqueous mixture of coal particles so that the mixture has a suspension density in the range 1 to 50 weight % solids. The coal particles have a particle size in the range 5 to 100 .mu.m so that occluded hydrophilic, inorganic solids are separable from a substantial portion of the hydrophobic, carbonaceous substances of the coal. The mixing of the emulsion with the aqueous suspension of coal particles is continued until agglomerates are formed comprising essentially carbonaceous components of the coal and the heavy oil thereby breaking down the chemisorption bonds by interdependantly dissociating carbonaceous components of the coal and heavy oil from the clay solids and other hydrophilic, inorganic solids and water from the coal and heavy oil.

Abstract: The aqueous slime waste product of a phosphate ore beneficiation process is dewatered by agglomerating the solids thereof using a conditioner and a hydrophobic bridging liquid.

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: A high proportion of the inorganic materials, (ash) content is removed from coal by providing the coal as a suspension with a liquid hydrocarbon oil, mixing an aqueous agglomerating liquid comprising water with the suspension, mixing a particulate material having a hydrophilic surface that is readily wetted by liquid water with the suspension, agitating the suspension to agglomerate the ash, and then separating the ash from the remainder. The particulate material having a hydrophilic surface may be ash, agglomerated silica flour, coarse silica chips, limestone or peat moss, and a binder for the ash may be dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous agglomerating liquid. In some instances the coal may be initially in the form of an aqueous suspension, and the coal can either be agglomerated from the suspendant by using a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon oil and then adding the remainder, or filtered therefrom and then the filter cake mixed with the liquid hydrocarbon oil.

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: Ball agglomerated particulate material is produced by comminuting the material to produce coarse particles having a size predominantly within the range 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm, and fines, then feeding the coarse particles, fines and an agglomerating liquid into a rotating ball agglomerating mill with the volume fraction of the coarse particles being 20% to 80% by volume of the total solids feed to the mill, continuing rotation of the mill until agglomerated balls are produced having a continuous network of fines interspersed with the coarse particles such that: ##EQU1## WHERE .epsilon. = THE POROSITY OF THE AGGLOMERATES,.epsilon..sub.o = the porosity of similar agglomerates formed entirely of the fines, m is the above mentioned volume fraction of coarse particles, andK = 0.7 to 1.0,And removing the agglomerates thus formed from the ball agglomerating mill.