Abstract: A mixture comprising non-magnetic solids is separated according to the density difference of its components by contact with a separating medium comprised of a fluidized bed of magnetizable particles which is stabilized by a magnetic means. The separating medium circulates in a closed loop within a contacting vessel or zone such that at least two portions of said separating medium flow in essentially opposite directions transverse to the flow of the fluidizing fluid exiting the medium. This invention is particularly effective for separating mixtures of coal or for separating coal from other solids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel mixing head, which comprises a pair of coaxially spaced discs, each of said discs having a plurality of substantially radially extending slots, each of said slots having a leading edge and a trailing edge and each slot being aligned with a corresponding slot on the other disc; a substantially radially extending blade along the trailing edge of each of said aligned slots; and a blade perpendicularly extending substantially from the leading edge of each of said aligned slots to the edge of said discs, said blades being disposed in the space between said discs, perpendicular to the plane of the discs, and are secured to each disc to form compartments in the space between the discs. The novel mixing head also comprises means for connecting with a rotatable shaft. This novel mixer is especially useful for mixing immiscible liquids, to provide high surface areas, and in other processes requiring high local agitation at low power inputs, as for example, in alkylation processes.