Abstract: A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

Abstract: A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

Abstract: A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

Abstract: A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

Abstract: A composition, in the form of an aqueous suspension. The composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction (SWF) amount ranging from 0.065% to 0.30%. The composition comprises kaolin present in a percent solids by weight (w/w %) amount ranging from 0.80% to 2.80%. The composition comprises one or more main plant nutrients or major animal mineral nutrient supplements. In the composition, the total percent solids by weight (w/w %) amount in the composition ranges from 45% to 90%. Although usable for other purposes, the composition is usable as a fertilizer. Although makeable in other ways, the composition is makeable by mixing the ingredients with agitation sufficient enough to form an aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A composition, in the form of an aqueous suspension. The composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction (SWF) amount ranging from 0.065% to 0.30%. The composition comprises kaolin present in a percent solids by weight (w/w %) amount ranging from 0.80% to 2.80%. The composition comprises one or more main plant nutrients or major animal mineral nutrient supplements. In the composition, the total percent solids by weight (w/w %) amount in the composition ranges from 45% to 90%. Although usable for other purposes, the composition is usable as a fertilizer. Although makeable in other ways, the composition is makeable by mixing the ingredients with agitation sufficient enough to form an aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A method of transshipping solid particulates in an aqueous suspension of solid particulates, comprising dispersing solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent to form the aqueous suspension of solid particulates. The aqueous suspension of the solid particulates is hauled via a first vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km. The aqueous suspension of the solid particulates is transferred from the first vehicle to a second vehicle. The aqueous suspension of solid particulates is hauled via a second vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km.

Abstract: A composition in the form of a backfill is described. The composition comprises one or more mine tailings present in an amount greater than 50% by weight of the composition, one or more cementitious binder materials present in an amount ranging from 0% to 12% by weight of the composition, attapulgite present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 4.00% by weight of the composition, and water. The fines content (Fc) of the one or more mine tailings is greater than or equal to 3%. Although subject to many uses, in some embodiments, the composition is suitable for managing tailings to be stored above ground or underground. For example, in some embodiments, the composition is suitable for filling mined out areas.

Abstract: A method of transporting solid particulates in an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates, comprising dispersing solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent, wherein solid particulates are transported a distance greater than or equal to 200 m.

Abstract: A composition, in the form of a concrete, cement paste, mortar or intermediate thereof, comprising one or more cementitious binder materials present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 75% by weight of the composition, attapulgite present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 1.00% by weight of the composition, and optionally water. Although subject to many uses, in some embodiments, the composition is suitable for applications in need or desire of self-consolidating concretes (SCCs), precast concrete, shotcrete, and the like. Although makeable by multiple methods, in some embodiments, the composition is made by mixing the component ingredients. In some embodiments, the composition has one or more properties chosen from superior aggregate suspension, eliminated segregation, improved workability, improved flowability, improved pumpability—or improved overall performance—of concretes.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for feeding granular material are described, in the form of a frame with a leveler, a controller, and a feeder. The feeder includes a hopper, an enclosure with an outlet, a drive assembly electrically connected to the controller, and a rotatable member in communication with the drive assembly and configured to rotate within the enclosure to control a rate of flow of granular material from the hopper through the outlet.

Abstract: A composition, in the form of a concrete, cement paste, mortar or intermediate thereof, comprising one or more cementitious binder materials present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 75% by weight of the composition, attapulgite present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 1.00% by weight of the composition, and optionally water. Although subject to many uses, in some embodiments, the composition is suitable for applications in need or desire of self-consolidating concretes (SCCs), precast concrete, shotcrete, and the like. Although makeable by multiple methods, in some embodiments, the composition is made by mixing the component ingredients. In some embodiments, the composition has one or more properties chosen from superior aggregate suspension, eliminated segregation, improved workability, improved flowability, improved pumpability—or improved overall performance—of concretes.

Abstract: A composition in the form of a backfill is described. The composition comprises one or more mine tailings present in an amount greater than 50% by weight of the composition, one or more cementitious binder materials present in an amount ranging from 0% to 12% by weight of the composition, attapulgite present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 4.00% by weight of the composition, and water. The fines content (Fc) of the one or more mine tailings is greater than or equal to 3%. Although subject to many uses, in some embodiments, the composition is suitable for managing tailings to be stored above ground or underground. For example, in some embodiments, the composition is suitable for filling mined out areas.

Abstract: A method of transshipping solid particulates in an aqueous suspension of solid particulates, comprising dispersing solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent to form the aqueous suspension of solid particulates. The aqueous suspension of the solid particulates is hauled via a first vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km. The aqueous suspension of the solid particulates is transferred from the first vehicle to a second vehicle. The aqueous suspension of solid particulates is hauled via a second vehicle a distance greater than or equal to 1 km.

Abstract: A method of transporting solid particulates in an aqueous suspension of the solid particulates, comprising dispersing solid particulates in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one mineral suspending agent, wherein solid particulates are transported a distance greater than or equal to 200 m.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system which allows for the rapid application of a water immobilizing dispersion in sufficient quantities to increase the fire protective and wetting characteristics of water. This system also increases the evaporative cooling and quenching effects of water. The primary constituents of the composition of this system are water, purified Attapulgite clay, and an environmentally safe salt, e.g., magnesium sulfate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system which allows for the rapid application of a water immobilizing dispersion in sufficient quantities to increase the fire protective and wetting characteristics of water. This system also increases the evaporative cooling and quenching effects of water. The primary constituents of the composition of this system are water, purified Attapulgite clay, and an environmentally safe salt, e.g., magnesium sulfate.

Abstract: An endless track transporter is provided moving the semi-trailer of an on-highway wheeled tractor-trailer over terrain where it is desirable to exert low ground pressure. The transporter has a gate system which is controllably moveable for clearing the landing gear of the semi-trailer during hitching of the transporter to the semi-trailer.

Abstract: A belted undercarriage assembly for a belt laying track machine includes a frame, an endless belt for supporting the machine, a plurality of spaced apart resilient wheels in contact with the belt, and a plurality of guide members associated with the belt. Each of the resilient wheels includes a side wall portion having a reinforcing ring attached thereto. The reinforcing rings are adapted to contact the guide members and prolong the useful life of the resilient wheels. The reinforcing rings are preferably segmented to provide a plurality of spaced apart pads having substantially straight edge portions for removing debris from the frame as the resilient wheels rotate.

Abstract: A pair of guide rollers contact the side surfaces of the guide blocks of an endless elastomeric track belt and guide the guide blocks into a space formed between a pair of spaced apart idler wheels. The guide rollers prevent undesirable frictional contact between the guide blocks and the idler wheels, thereby increasing the useful life of the idler wheels and the guide blocks.