Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA).

Abstract: Disclosed is an underground coal preparation process adopting a water medium, comprising: feeding exploited raw coal into a ?25 mm raw coal classifying screen for screening; performing dry coal preparation on a classifying screen oversize product with a particle size greater than 25 mm and feeding a classifying screen undersize product with a particle size less than 25 mm into a special underground compact jigging machine for sorting to obtain jigging machine overflow clean coal, jigging middling coal and jigging gangue; screening and dewatering the jigging machine overflow clean coal to obtain a clean coal product, and screening and dewatering the jigging middling coal to obtain a middling coal product, sorting slime water to be sorted and generated during sorting to obtain coarse clean coal slime and coarse middling coal slime, and performing circulating water treatment on a final liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for combined microorganism degradation and air sparging-soil vapor extraction (AS-AVE) of oil-containing sludge can include a microorganism-adding unit, an AS-SVE unit, a metering-feeding layer, a mixing layer, a material discharging layer and a crawler-type conveyor. In some embodiments the microorganism-adding unit and the AS-SVE unit can include a microorganism storage tank and an AS-SVE storage tank. In some embodiments, the metering-feeding layer can include a valve, a pressure gauge, a flowmeter, a feeding chamber. In some embodiments, the mixing layer can include pipeline connectors and a stirrer. In some embodiments, the material discharging layer is mainly for transporting the treated soil away.

Abstract: Apparatus, such as a flotation separation device, features a flotation cell or column configured to receive a mixture of water, valuable material and unwanted material; receive polymer-based materials, including polymer bubbles or beads, configured to attach to the valuable material in the mixture; and provide enriched polymer-based materials, including enriched polymer bubbles or beads, having the valuable material attached thereon.

Abstract: An aerodynamic recirculating separator of bulk materials that includes an air blower capable of forming an air stream, an outlet stream directing means, a separation chamber including two inlets and two outlets, a loading hopper, at least one discharge channel, a return air duct including a plurality of turning portions, and at least one residue collection chamber. An outlet of the air blower connects to the first inlet of the separation chamber, an outlet of the loading hopper connects to the second inlet of the separation chamber, the first outlet of the separation chamber connects to the return air duct, and the second outlet of the separation chamber connects to the at least one discharge channel. The air blower, the separation chamber, and the return air duct are consecutively connected so as to form a recirculation channel.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved washout pan and method for using it that automatically induces stress at the materials-pan surface interface to induce release of cement-containing materials by the nature of the construction of the washout pan and its response to being moved from a horizontal to a vertical position. The composition of the invention washout pan is critical to the objects of the invention, in that it is preferably formed of polypropylene in a rotomolding process as a single piece with a general overall shape of a box with a slurry body capacity of from 100 to 300 gallons.

Abstract: A screening apparatus for grading particulate material includes a grading screen having apertures for water and/or undersize particles to pass through. The grading screen is supported on a frame mounted on a chassis via resilient linkages, and the grading screen being vibrated by a vibrating device that imparts circular or reciprocating motion to the grading screen. The grading screen is set at a predetermined slope whereby material to be graded can be delivered onto an upper end while the grading screen is vibrated to convey the material over the grading screen and to cause undersize material to pass through the apertures. Oversize material is discharged from a lower end of the screen onto a conveyor or into a collection bay or hopper. A sump beneath the grading screen receives under-sized material passing through the grading screen, and a jet pump conveys material from the sump to a dewatering screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circulating mass dryer for drying wet sludge. According to the invention, the circulating mass dryer includes two adjacent circulating mass systems in heat exchange communication with one another, wherein the first circulating mass system is a sludge drying side and the second circulating mass system is a heat releasing side, and the first and the second circulating mass system each comprises at least one elongated riser (3, 16), and the riser (3) of the first circulating mass system and the riser (16) of the second circulating mass system are adjacent in such a way that a common heat exchange surface is formed therebetween. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method of reducing silicosis caused by inhalation of silica-containing proppant, such as silica sand and resin-coated silica sand, and apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: An apparatus used for wave soldering including a nozzle device configured to discharge molten solder to a circuit board near a solder tank, wherein, the nozzle device includes at least one pair of adjacent nozzle openings configured to discharge the molten solder towards the middle between the pair of nozzle openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the separation of magnetic constituents from a dispersion comprising these magnetic constituents and nonmagnetic constituents, comprising at least one loop-like canal (5) through which a dispersion flows having at least two inlets (1, 2) and at least two outlets (3, 4), further comprising at least one magnet (6) that is moveable alongside the canal (5), wherein the canal (5) is arranged relative to gravity in a way that nonmagnetic constituents are assisted to go into at least the one first outlet (3) (stream I) by sedimentation and by the current of the dispersion and magnetic constituents are forced into at least one second outlet (4) (stream II) by magnetic force against a current of flushing water. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for the separation of magnetic constituents from a dispersion comprising these magnetic constituents and nonmagnetic constituents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing recyclable material recovery from automobile shredder residue (4). Embodiments include separation of automobile shredder residue with a sorting system (5) such as an air sorting system, a non-ferrous automobile shredder residue air sorter, an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system, a non-magnetic magnetic sorter, a substantially isotropic quantization sorting system, an air-locked Z-box air classifier, low susceptance microparticle separator, a magnetic fuzz separator, a wind tunnel system, or the like perhaps with substantially horizontal laminar air flow (7) and can be used with or without out other traditional automobile shredder residue sorting systems (16) or (15) perhaps creating additional recyclable quantities and even better separated results such as with zorba and zurik and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing waste incineration ashes (A), in particular domestic waste incineration ashes (HMVA), in which the ashes are classified into a plurality of fractions of different grain size distributions in a processing plant (11) separated from the actual waste incineration process. The ashes (A) are classified exclusively using a wet classification process in the processing plant (11), only wet classification processes that are gentle to the grains being used, and the wet classification process is performed in such a way that all of the ashes (A) are classified into at least one fine fraction (I) loaded with harmful substances and at least one coarse fraction (II, III) that contains only a small amount of harmful substances or no harmful substances at all.

Abstract: A method of sorting a parcel of ore comprising the steps of first sorting the parcel of ore into one of at least two grades based on a characteristic of the parcel of ore, and a second sorting step wherein the parcel of ore is further sorted.

Abstract: The method for sorting grain (10) comprises the step of conveying the grain (10) with at least a part of the pericarp, seed-coat or aleuron layer or any combination thereof attached into a colour-sorting device (1). The grain (10) is sorted according to colour into at least a first colour-fraction (11) and at least a second colour-fraction (12). The first colour-fraction (11) or the second colour-fraction (12) is conveyed into a size-sorting device (2). Subsequently, the first colour-fraction (11) or the second colour-fraction (12) conveyed into the size-sorting device (2) is sorted according to size of the grain (10) into a size-accept fraction (13) and a size-reject fraction (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for prewashing comminuted plastic parts and for separating heavy materials or mineral constituents such as sand, silt, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a first and second cells. The first cell receives an ore slurry having mineral particles of interest, receives unexpanded polymer microspheres comprising a surface having mineral collector chemistry attached thereto with molecules for attaching the mineral particles of interest, causes the unexpanded polymer microspheres to expand substantially in volume into expanded polymer microspheres having a substantially increased sphere surface area, and provides an expanded polymer microsphere foam layer comprising the expanded polymer microspheres with attached mineral particles of interest. The second cell receives the expanded polymer microsphere foam layer, and causes the expanded polymer microspheres to collapse substantially in volume into collapsed polymer microspheres having a substantially reduced sphere surface area that results in a mechanical shearing off of the attached mineral particles of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches improved processes to produce high-brightness kaolins at high yields from various natural sources of crude kaolin. In some embodiments, a process for treating mined kaolin comprises: blunging kaolin material with water at high shear to form a slurry; introducing the slurry to one or more beneficiation units for flocculation of titania (e.g., anatase) and titania-associated impurities (e.g., iron); introducing a sodium silicate composition, or precursors thereof, to the beneficiation units, wherein the sodium silicate composition is characterized by a Na2O/SiO2 ratio selected from about 0.25 to about 2.5; and recovering a suspension comprising at least 70% of the kaolin clay. The selected sodium silicate composition enhances flocculation of the titania while maintaining dispersion of the kaolin clay in the slurry. One or more chemical leaching reactions generate a treated kaolin that is characterized by a brightness of about 90 or higher.

Abstract: A method and system for the processing of food items that are supplied to a batching apparatus, where the batching apparatus comprises at least one handling means of the robotic type. By means of the batching apparatus a first process is performed, according to which food items are selectively batched in consideration of measured, detected and/or estimated data for the individual items and in consideration of at least one predefined criterion. Particular food items are identified and led to another process, the particular food items being food items that are deviant in relation to one or more predefined parameter(s) relating to the batching and/or food items that have not been selected to be batched during the first process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing incineration byproduct from waste incinerators, ash purification and recovery of materials and metals. High levels of aggregate and metals recovery and ash purification are achieved for residual ash with reduced environmental contaminants.

Abstract: In some embodiments, aggregated serialized goods may be loaded into the serialization/aggregation system via a conveyor, and the aggregated serialized goods may be scanned and authenticated. The aggregated serialized goods that are determined to be authentic may be diverted to at least one aggregation line, where the aggregated serialized goods may be bundled. The serialization/aggregation system may be adjustable, and may be easily converted to accept items of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A method to significantly reduce the need for treating bottom ash with a bonding agent, such as lime or concrete, as is typically done by Waste-to-Energy facilities within the United States of America. Furthermore it is a method that will greatly reduce the costs associated with freight, and disposal typically associated with WTE bottom ash by extracting excess water, metallic, and eliminating the need for supplemental additives such as lime or concrete.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for analyzing aggregate are described. An exemplary device may include a housing with one or more grading screens. Aggregate and liquid may be received by a port within the housing. The liquid and any suspended fines, after passing through the one or more grading screens and aggregate, may be received into an observation container for observing the clarity of the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: A device and a method for sorting cards, has a card supply, a card output and an intermediate memory with addressable intermediate memory locations. A device for combining cards and card supports and/or for sorting and/or handling cards use a card-specific database containing information sorted according to types and styles of cards, and uses visual information and/or location information relating to assemblies of the card of at least one card type and/or a card style. The device has a reversible intermediate memory with at least one intermediate storage station. The database contains card-specific information relating to a stored card in the intermediate memory location, and a magazine for cards with at least one input and/or output and having a card memory having a plurality of card locations. The card locations relative to the input and/or output can be displaced by a drive.

Abstract: A method to recover cesium, rubidium, or both from secondary ore is described and involves using scans and sorting techniques. Refined secondary ore is further described.

Abstract: A method to recover cesium, rubidium, or both from secondary ore is described and involves using scans and sorting techniques. Refined secondary ore is further described.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of blending a first part comprising a low-density fine particulate material additive with a second part comprising original regolith simulant material for producing a lower bulk density blended regolith simulant material having gravity-driven flow properties that resemble those that the original regolith material would have under a reduced gravity of a target extraterrestrial body. The blended regolith simulant material includes one part by volume of original regolith simulant material to N parts by volume of a low-density fine particulate material additive, where N is generally greater than one less than the ratio of the gravitational acceleration on the surface of the earth to the gravitational acceleration on the surface of the target extraterrestrial body.

Abstract: A system and method for sorting animal protein is provided. The method includes determining a desired characteristic of a cut of meat from an animal portion and associating the desired characteristic with an attribute of the animal portion. The attribute is ascertained and the animal portion is sorted based on the ascertained attribute. Like animal portions are grouped together for further processing as a group.

Abstract: An integrated drying and dry-separating apparatus for upgrading raw coal includes a coal supply system, a hot air system, a drying system, a dedusting and exhausting system, and a dry-separating system. The coal supply system conveys raw coal to the hot air system and the drying system by a raw coal conveyer respectively. The hot air system is a heat source of the drying system. The drying system is used for drying and dewatering the raw coal. The dedusting and exhausting system is consisted of a deduster and an exhaust fan, and establishes a connection between the drying system and the dry-separating system. The dry-separating system includes a dry separator, a circulating fan, and a cyclone deduster, which is used for separating dried raw coal into fancy coal, middling coal and coal gangue. A method for dry-separating and drying raw coal using the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a metallic carbon nanotube, by which a dispersion with a high concentration can be obtained. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a metallic carbon nanotube, which comprises a fullerene addition step wherein fullerenes are added into a carbon nanotube-containing solution in which metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes are mixed, and a taking-out step wherein carbon nanotubes dispersed by the added fullerenes are taken out.

Abstract: Metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs are efficiently separated from a CNT mixture of these CNTs, and semiconducting CNTs are separated by structure by using a method that enables separation in high yield in a short time period while conveniently enabling mass processing and automatic processing with inexpensive equipment. Multiple columns charged with gel are connected in series, and excess amounts of a CNT dispersion is passed through the columns to adsorb only the CNTs of a specific structure on the columns. The CNTs are then eluted with an elution to separate CNTs of different structures with high accuracy. The present technique represents a method that conveniently enables mass processing and automatic processing at high yield in a short time period with inexpensive equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for recycling coal ash comprising an unburned coal ash recovery unit and a lightweight aggregate manufacturing unit and is provided in an existing thermoelectric power plant and in which coal ash generated in the thermoelectric power plant is completely recycled for specific purposes using the coal ash recycling apparatus. According to the invention, the surrounding environment can be prevented from being contaminated during the transportation of waste to a recycling factory and transportation expenses can be reduced. Moreover, coal ash is completely recycled for specific uses, such that unburned carbon contained in the coal ash can be used. Also, coal ash can be recycled even as concrete admixtures having strict standards. In addition, the present invention can prevent environmental contamination caused by the landfilling of waste and recycle waste, thereby reducing the loss of land and the waste of resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing waste incineration ashes (A), in particular domestic waste incineration ashes (HMVA), in which the ashes are classified into a plurality of fractions of different grain size distributions in a processing plant (11) separated from the actual waste incineration process. The ashes (A) are classified exclusively using a wet classification process in the processing plant (11), only wet classification processes that are gentle to the grains being used, and the wet classification process is performed in such a way that all of the ashes (A) are classified into at least one fine fraction (I) loaded with harmful substances and at least one coarse fraction (II, III) that contains only a small amount of harmful substances or no harmful substances at all.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for processing soil infested with plant root material. The method comprises depositing the soil on a vibrating conveyor support (105) at a substantially constant depth, wherein the vibrating conveyor support (105) is arranged to enable the plant root material to be hand-picked. In this way, soil throughput may be maximised without compromising removal of the plant root material. Further, fragmentation of the plant root material may be minimised. The soil may be screened using a vibrating screening mesh (107) to remove smaller particles prior to it being deposited on the conveyor. The soil may be heated, and the processed soil passed under an infrared detector (119) for detecting the presence of plant root material, to thereby objectively control quality.

Abstract: A method, process or system for producing an iron oxide concentrate from a treatment slurry of a low grade mineral assemblage includes mixing a flocculant with the treatment slurry and dewatering the treatment slurry before passing the treatment slurry through a wet high intensity magnetic separator of a type that employs a flux amplifying matrix (i.e., a WHIMS-FAM device) and recovering an iron oxide concentrate fraction and a tailings fraction from the WHIMS-FAM device. Another method, process or system for producing an iron oxide concentrate includes passing the treatment slurry through a WHIMS-FAM device and recovering an iron oxide concentrate fraction slurry and a tailings fraction slurry from the WHIMS-FAM device; mixing a flocculant with the concentrate fraction slurry and dewatering the concentrate slurry to provide a thickened concentrate slurry before filtering the thickened concentrate slurry to provide a concentrate filter cake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating magnetic particles from a dispersion comprising these magnetic particles and non-magnetic particles, comprising at least one loop-like canal forming 90 to 350° of a circular arc through which the dispersion flows, at least one magnet that is movable alongside the canal and which forces the magnetic particles into at least one first outlet, and at least one second outlet through which the non-magnetic particles are forced, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one first means for treating the dispersion or a part of the dispersion with a hydrophilic liquid and at least one second means for treating the dispersion or a part of the dispersion with a hydrophobic liquid. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of the apparatus according to the present invention for separating magnetic particles from a dispersion, comprising these magnetic particles and non-magnetic particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: A remotely controlled submersible gold ore processor operated on the ocean floor for the off-shore mining of fine gold in shallow to moderate depth water. This remotely-operated gold processor is powered by multiple hydraulic motors, with each motor performing its assigned duty, while the gold processor is driven along the ocean floor.

Abstract: A modular magnetic separation apparatus set has a processing capacity increased by increasing the number of the unit modules of the magnetic separation apparatus set, being suitable for all enrichment processes of magnetic minerals. One modular unit is defined with a separation wheel and its two neighboring magnet-concentration cores and two corresponding excitation coils and a charging hopper and a discharging hopper of magnetic materials, each unit being combined of multiple identical modular units. The modular magnetic separation apparatus solves the conflicts between the transportation of apparatus after the enlargement and the height and width restrictions on general roads, including more reasonable conditions for separate transportation.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for recovering silicon from saw kerf, or an exhausted abrasive slurry, resulting from the cutting of a silicon ingot, such as a single crystal or polycrystalline silicon ingot. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for isolating and purifying silicon from saw kerf or the exhausted slurry, such that the resulting silicon may be used as a raw material, such as a solar grade silicon raw material.

Abstract: A method for processing rubber granules or rubber powders containing different types of rubber. Vehicle tires containing natural rubber in the tread and butyl rubber in the inner liner are granulated or ground to prepare rubber granules or rubber powders, which are processed in a flotation cell under stirring and with the addition of air. The natural rubber fraction of the rubber granules has a higher tendency to adsorb air bubbles and to rise in the flotation cell, while the butyl rubber fraction remains at the bottom. The rubber granules are separated into two or more rubber fractions with an increased amount of a specific rubber type in each fraction.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring flats mail from palletized bundles into a flats sorting system. The bundles are loaded into a system in which they are scanned for delivery zone information. The bundles are transported to a tray loading station based on delivery zone. The flats mail is unbundled and placed into system trays at the tray loading stations. The system trays are then transported to a flats sorting system.

Abstract: A separation apparatus comprises a base defining a mounting surface with a length and a width. The separation apparatus further includes a pair of clamps configured for toolless operation. The pair of clamps are spaced apart from one another along the length of the mounting surface and configured to inhibit a movement of the sample plate relative to the mounting surface. In further examples, methods of separating a magnetic material within containment areas of a sample plate are provided including the step of clamping a first edge portion of the sample plate with the spring clip and clamping a second edge portion of the sample plate with a jaw mechanism. The method further includes the step of inverting the base together with the sample plate such that liquid drains from the containment areas while magnetic material remains in the containment areas under the influence of respective magnets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for collecting and sorting waste comprising a frame (2) with a base (3) resting on the floor and a front face (5) in which an opening (7) is made, allowing access to a waste insertion zone (8), the machine further comprising, inside the frame (2), means (50) of recognizing waste, a waste sorter (40) and means (20, 23) of storing sorted waste comprising at least two containers (20), the machine comprising: an elevator (15) for transporting a waste item inserted into the insertion zone (8), towards the sorter (40) disposed vertically above the insertion zone (8), and the waste sorter (40) being arranged so as to move the transported waste vertically above a container (20), selected according to information furnished by waste recognition means (50), and in which the waste is received. The machine can also comprise means for compacting waste.

Abstract: A process and system reprocesses soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. The material is to remove a preponderance of the manure. The remaining soiled bedding is washed in water and a cleaning agent, rinsed and, optionally, bleached to restore color and appearance. The resulting material is dewatered and dried to reduce its moisture content and kill any remaining pathogens. After being cleaned and sanitized, the material may be reused as bedding or further processed into pellets or other products, such as manufactured fire logs.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method tor separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the beneficiation and utilization of various kinds of coal and shale oil as a solid fuel for thermoelectric power stations. The beneficiation process is performed underground, near to the place of beneficiation waste stowing, using aqueous salt solution with a density between those of the target component and waste rock. The regeneration of heavy liquid from final beneficiation tailings is performed by washing with non-aqueous volatile liquid, with subsequent drying by the subsurface heat after placing these tailings in the worked-out space. The resulting vapors are compressed and condensed; thus regenerated non-aqueous liquid is returned for washing the beneficiation tailings, while effluents produced by washing are separated into aqueous and non-aqueous components by heat released at the liquefaction of the non-aqueous liquid vapors. The enriched solid fuel remaining in the floatable state is delivered by its flow to the thermo-electric power plant.

Abstract: An improved system and method for separating combustible organic particles from noncombustible inorganic particles in coal, in preparation for combustion. The coal is size-reduced and size-graded to small pieces which are then supplied to input ends of water-immersed descending slides having ultrasonic transducers for vibratory separation of inorganic and organic particles. The slides have different longitudinal lengths with angles of declination configured to achieve time-differential exposure to the ultrasonic vibratory energy, with smaller coal pieces being subjected to shorter time ultrasonic vibratory exposure. In one preferred form, longitudinally spaced turbidity sensors along the slide provide signals used to control selected ultrasonic transducers upon substantially complete cleaning of the coal pieces.