Abstract: Solids particles are conveyed hydraulically by first mixing the solids particles with a liquid in order to form a viscous material of substantially uniform consistency. This viscous material is then introduced or injected into a flowing hydraulic medium that had been substantially free of solids prior to this viscous material injection in order to form a hydraulically conveyed flow. Variations in conduit cross-section at or near the location of viscous material injection may be provided in order to enhance turbulance and suspension of solids within the hydraulically conveyed flow.

Abstract: A cylindrical probe for insertion into a drill hole for detecting the presence of mineral deposits. A source of radioactive irradiation and a detector are mounted concentrically within the housing of the probe, the detector being shielded from direct radiation by a wall having an upper conical surface which directs fluorescent radiation reflected from the wall of the drill hole to the detector. A disc-shaped slot concentrates the rays from the radioactive source on an area of the drill hole wall which is in the shape of a ring surrounding the probe. The concentration and close proximity of the radiation source and the detector permit precise scanning and analyzing, simply, cheaply and quickly.

Abstract: A method of disposal or temporary storage of fine particulate solid waste material or a mixture of such solid material with liquid including pumping the solid material entrained in liquid through a pipeline by means of a piston pump into a natural or artificial dump space above ground or below ground. To pump fine grained waste materials, for example dusty or paste-like and sludge-like waste materials, without incurring problems regarding the entrainment liquid and to prevent, in the case of underground storage, the production of a geologically insufficiently stable packing in a natural or artificial cavity, a high-consistency mixture containing less than 20% by weight of liquid, which is generally water, is pumped into the space by means of the piston pump.

Abstract: Fine grained coal is fed into a first chamber of a generally horizontally extending fluidizing bed reactor while a stream of hot solid heat exchange material is passed through the chamber. The coal is then subjected to a fluidizing action with a low nitrogen and low oxygen content so as to degas the coal particles and obtain the combustible gases and liquid byproducts. The coke particles thus formed are then passed into an adjoining second chamber which acts as the combustion chamber and are subjected therein to fluidization with air and burning. Steam is generated in water-filled conduits passing through said second chamber. The heat exchanger particles are simultaneously heated up and are continuously fed back into the first zone of the reactor to contact fresh coal introduced thereinto.