Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid from a slurry of solid particulate material and for consolidating the solid material into a shape-retaining slug is disclosed which comprises (a) a cylindrical consolidation chamber having a cylindrical piston movable axially therein, (b) a means for filling said chamber with the slurry, (c) a compression means for reciprocating said piston axially within said chamber and, (d) at least one drainage means for allowing liquid to escape from said chamber during consolidation of said slurry, and (e) at least one porous structure for retaining solid particulate material within said chamber and for allowing liquid to escape from said chamber during consolidation of said slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid from a slurry of solid particulate material and for consolidating said solid material into a shape-retaining slug is disclosed which comprises (a) a cylindrical consolidation chamber in which the slurry is to be consolidated, which is substantially sealed against the passage of solid material, said chamber comprising (i) a first cylindrical piston mounted in a stationary position with its axis aligned vertically, the upper surface of said piston being its working face, (ii) a mold comprising a cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical bore in which said first piston is movable axially and which is disposed with its axis aligned vertically and a horizontal table having a circular opening through one end thereof, said table being mounted to the upper edge of said wall so that said opening communicates with said bore in said wall and the surface of the table extends outward from said wall in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof, said mold having a compression position in w

Abstract: A process for producing substantially clean water and consolidated slugs of fuel from coal slurry having less than about 30 percent by volume of ash and other impurities on a dry basis is disclosed which comprises (a) placing a quantity of the coal slurry in an enclosed chamber in which means have been provided for drainage of the water from the slurry, and (b) subjecting the slurry to one-dimensional consolidation by the application of compressive stress, thereby producing (i) substantially clean water and (ii) a consolidated, uniformly-shaped slug of fuel having a water content of less than about 10 percent.

Abstract: An earthen structure for holding back a body of water has a sloped surface which is paved with an overlapping arrangement of strips constructed of castable material. Each strip is formed by conveying castable material from a mobile receiving hopper that is propelled adjacent to the base of the earthen structure. A bridge conveyor projects laterally from the receiving hopper over the slope. The bridge conveyor deposits the castable material onto the slope forwardly of a spreader device that is advanced longitudinally relative to the slope by a prime mover. A scraper blade of the spreader device is positioned at a preselected elevation by a forwardly projecting sidewall which is connected to the blade and slidable on a previously formed strip. The sidewall maintains the castable material in front of the blade, as the advancing blade spreads the material in a longitudinal strip of a preselected thickness and having a lateral edge extending a preselected lateral dimension outwardly from the sloped surface.

Abstract: An earthen structure for holding back a body of water has a sloped surface which is paved with an overlapping arrangement of strips constructed of castable material. Each strip is formed by conveying castable material from a mobile receiving hopper that is propelled adjacent to the base of the earthen structure. A bridge conveyor projects laterally from the receiving hopper over the slope. The bridge conveyor deposits the castable material onto the slope forwardly of a spreader device that is advanced longitudinally relative to the slope by a prime mover. A scraper blade of the spreader device is positioned at a preselected elevation by a forwardly projecting sidewall which is connected to the blade and slidable on a previously formed strip. The sidewall maintains the castable material in front of the blade, as the advancing blade spreads the material in a longitudinal strip of a preselected thickness and having a lateral edge extending a preselected lateral dimension outwardly from the sloped surface.

Abstract: An earthen structure for holding back a body of water has a sloped surface which is paved with an overlapping arrangement of strips constructed of castable material. Each strip is formed by conveying castable material from a mobile receiving hopper that is propelled adjacent to the base of the earthen structure. A bridge conveyor projects laterally from the receiving hopper over the slope. The bridge conveyor deposits the castable material onto the slope forwardly of a spreader device that is advanced longitudinally relative to the slope by a prime mover. A scraper blade of the spreader device is positioned at a preselected elevation by a forwardly projecting sidewall which is connected to the blade and slidable on a previously formed strip. The sidewall maintains the castable material in front of the blade, as the advancing blade spreads the material in a longitudinal strip of a preselected thickness and having a lateral edge extending a preselected lateral dimension outwardly from the sloped surface.

Abstract: A scraper bowl with a bottom wall having a downwardly deflected scraper blade is connected at its rearward end portion to a conveyor support frame having an upper inclined platform that extends rearwardly from the scraper bowl and terminates in a horizontal cantilivered platform. The conveyor support frame is connected to ground traction devices by a leveling mechanism that maintains vertical positioning of the support frame as the scraper bowl is forwardly propelled by a prime mover. An inclined endless belt conveyor is secured to the inclined platform and includes an end portion positioned within the scraper bowl for receiving dislodged material. Oscillating plate members within the scraper bowl assist in transferring the material onto the inclined conveyor. The material is transported rearwardly of the scraper bowl by the inclined conveyor onto an endless belt conveyor that is supported by the horizontal platform and is positioned intermediately to and transversely of the inclined conveyor.

Abstract: A strip paving machine for forming step-like breakers on the inclined surfaces of a diversion island for a power plant cooling pond includes a mobile receiving hopper that is propelled by a bulldozer over the floor of the cooling pond. A forwardly advancing dump truck remains in material receiving relationship with the front end portion of the receiving hopper and deposits castable material onto a conveyor that is transversely positioned in the receiving hopper. The material is transported laterally out of the receiving hopper onto a bridge conveyor that is pivotally connected at one end to the receiving hopper. The upper end portion of the bridge conveyor is slidably supported on the inclined surface of the diversion island and is pivotally connected to a mobile feed hopper. The feed hopper is forwardly propelled on the diversion island by a prime mover at the rate of speed of the receiving hopper.