Abstract: In its simplest sense, the present invnetion contemplates a method and apparatus for determining a characteristic or property of randomly oriented, irregularly shaped objects by obtaining an image profile of the object, selecting a plurality of edge points from the image profile and obtaining therefrom a parameter related to the characteristic or property of the object. Having determined the characteristic or property of the objects analyzed, they can be treated appropriately, for example, sorted and the like.

Abstract: Magnesium values are leached from a fragmented mass containing combusted oil shale particles. Magnesium is leached selectively with respect to calcium compounds and silicates with aqueous solutions of a mixture of purgeable, acid-forming gases such as carbon dioxide with a minor proportion of sulfur dioxide. A two-stage leaching process can employ leachant with dissolved carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in a first stage and with a carbon dioxide containing solution in the substantial absence of sulfur dioxide in the second stage. An enriched solution containing magnesium values is withdrawn from the fragmented mass and magnesia is recovered from such enriched solution. In one embodiment a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale and carbonates of calcium and magnesium is formed in an in situ oil shale retort.

Abstract: Antimony trichloride or a solution thereof is added to a basic solution containing a complexing agent, preferably ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, in which the antimony trichloride is present in an amount up to 5 moles per mole of complexing agent to hydrolyze antimony trichloride to light stable senarmontite.