Abstract: There is described a process for separating from a mixture of mineral components at least one of the components. The process comprises the steps of (a) dispersing the mixture of mineral components in water so as to form an aqueous suspension containing said mixture of mineral components, (b) mixing together said aqueous suspension and a non-polar organic liquid in which there has been dissolved or suspended an anionic collector for at least one of the components of the mixture of mineral components, the volume ratio of said aqueous suspension to non-polar organic liquid being controlled and the conditions under which said aqueous suspension and non-polar organic liquid are mixed together being such that only a small amount of energy is dissipated therein in a short time in order to effect the mixing together thereof and one liquid is uniformly dispersed in the other but a stable emulsion is not formed and (c) thereafter separating, or allowing to separate, the two liquid phases.

Abstract: A paper coating composition which comprises a dispersion of a pigment in an aqueous medium containing an adhesive, the pigment comprising a natural chalk whiting formed from the remains of coccoliths which has been processed so as to contain at least 60% by weight of particles smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, not more than 5% by weight of particles larger than 10 microns equivalent spherical diameter and not more than 0.5% by weight of particles larger than 53 microns.

Abstract: A method of improving the properties of ball clay is disclosed which comprises forming a deflocculated aqueous suspension of the ball clay at a specified solids content; passing the suspension through one or more vibrated sieves, at least one of which has a nominal aperture in the range of from 50 to 100 microns; and thermally drying the material after it has been flocculated.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus described a high intensity magnetic field is established in a first zone. A quantity of fluid having magnetizable particles suspended therein is passed through a first separating chamber containing magnetizable packing material and disposed within the first zone, so that the magnetizable particles are magnetized by the magnetic field and attracted to the packing material. The first separating chamber is then moved out of the first zone and into a second zone and a second separating chamber containing magnetizable packing material is moved into the first zone.