Abstract: In one aspect, a method for plugging a bore includes pumping a slurry composition comprising a swellable phyllosilicate clay in an amount of 70 wt % or less into the bore, and permitting compaction of the phyllosilicate clay in the slurry to plug the bore.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for plugging a bore includes pumping a slurry composition comprising a swellable phyllosilicate clay in an amount of 70 wt % or less into the bore, and permitting compaction of the phyllosilicate clay in the slurry to plug the bore.

Abstract: A pressure leaching system for use in a leaching operation including: at least one reaction zone for receiving a slurry of material to be leached from a slurry source, the reaction zone being disposed relative to the slurry source such that slurry is resident in the reaction zone under gravity thereby providing at least part of the pressurisation required for the leaching operation.

Abstract: A reactor system comprising two or more subterranean reactors for high pressure treatment of materials. The reactors each comprise an inlet tube, a reaction region and an outlet tube and are deep enough for material in the inlet and outlet tubes to produce significant hydrostatic pressure. The reactors are adapted to exchange heat which may occur through a shared heat transferring wall or a heat exchanger including circulating liquid. The invention also extends to a method of simultaneously running two processes in the reactor system. The preferred processes are hydrothermal dewatering of coal, especially brown coal, and coal liquefaction wherein exothermic heat product of one process contributes to the heating requirements of the other process. The invention also extends to a method of hydrothermal dewatering of coal when conducted in a subterranean reactor in conditions of decreasing pressure.

Abstract: A pressure leaching system for use in a leaching operation including: at least one reaction zone for receiving a slurry of material to be leached from a slurry source, the reaction zone being disposed relative to the slurry source such that slurry is resident in the reaction zone under gravity thereby providing at least part of the pressurisation required for the leaching operation.

Abstract: A reactor system comprising two or more subterranean reactors for high pressure treatment of materials. The reactors each comprise an inlet tube, a reaction region and an out let tube and are deep enough for material in the inlet and outlet tubes to produce signifecant hydrostatic pressure. The reactors are adapted to exchange heat which may occur through a shared heat transferring wall or a heat exchanger including circulating liquid. The invention also extends to a method of simultaneously running two processes in the reactor system. The preferred processes are hydrothermal dewatering of coal, especially brown coal, and coal liquefaction wherein exothermic heat product of one process contributes to the heating requirements of the other process. The invention also extends to a method of hydrothermal dewatering of coal when conducted in a subterranean reactor in conditions of decreasing pressure.

Abstract: Ammonia can be stored and recovered by a process which includes the steps of:

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for calcining a material comprises a calcination vessel (10) which houses a heat exchanger (12). The heat exchanger (12) is arranged to transfer heat to the material from a liquid metal heat exchange fluid arranged to flow through the heat exchanger (12).

Abstract: Centrifugation separations apparatus including centrifugation means having an inlet, a liquids discharge and a solids discharge, a deflector operatively associated with the solids discharge, wherein the solids discharge is adapted to operatively discharge solids being discharged from the centrifugation means at a trajectory and the deflector is adapted to interrupt the trajectory to decelerate and change the direction of travel of the solids, or wherein the deflector is operatively associated with the solids discharge and cooperable with solids being discharged from the solids discharge whereby buildup of solids on the deflector is substantially prevented, or wherein the solids discharge includes a lip configuration which causes the trajectories of the discharging crystals to be relatively independent of their size and/or their residual syrup/moisture content, or including support means, such as a spider like construction having one or more webs substantially parallel to the angular motion of the solids being

Abstract: A method for concentrating a clay slurry by subjecting the slurry to indirect heat exchange within a heat exchanger to elevate the temperature of the slurry while specifically suppressing boiling of the liquid within the heat exchanger. The heated slurry is subsequently subjected to a rapid pressure reduction which causes flash evaporation of part of the liquid. The rapid pressure reduction can occur in a separation vessel.