Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing and recovering raw coal with no more than about 5% moisture and coal fines down to 200 mesh is disclosed. A complete washing plant having the ability to wash raw contaminated coal is disclosed. However, this invention is directed toward methods and apparatus for processing the coal slurry or effluent, and the wet coal obtained from a coal washing plant which methods and apparatus recovers coal fines down to 28 mesh. The apparatus and method of this invention separates the slurry which includes coal fines and contaminant material below 28 mesh by various screening and centrifugal processes such that coal fines down to 200 mesh are recovered. In addition, the methods and apparatus include various screens and centrifugal dryers for drying the wet coal thus recovering even more coal fines and reducing the moisture. The method and apparatus processes the effluents which include water and the contaminant materials such that the contaminant solids are removed from the water.

Abstract: A method for classifying wet coal for obtaining coal charges suitable for use in a coke oven comprising classifying the wet coal directly in a cylindrical screen which rotates and revolves around an eccentric rotation shaft while blowing a high pressure gas stream to the screen to eliminate adhesion of the wet coal particles to the screen. The method enables a continuous and consistent classification of wet coals without the clogging of the screen and the dust pollution. The cokes obtained by dry distillation of the coal classified by the present method show high quality.

Abstract: Pyritic sulfur, organic sulfur and elemental sulfur are removed from coal by subjecting an aqueous slurry of coal to flotation for removal of most of the pyritic sulfur after which the coal obtained from the flotation is treated with dilute nitric acid which oxidizes any remaining pyritic sulfur and most of the organic sulfur, thus solubilizing the sulfur and reducing the sulfur content thereof. This coal can be filtered, washed and dried, if desired. Further reduction of organic sulfur is obtained by chemical treatment with unsaturated hydrocarbons which bind the organic sulfur thus lowering the sulfur content of the coal sufficiently so that the final product meets all requirements for use for power plants as well as for the metallurgical industry.

Abstract: A froth flotation method for the separation of trona from ground trona ore slurried in a saturated brine solution of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate by using organic compounds of a specified type as flotation collectors.

Abstract: A process for efficiently recycling the water used in the various stages of a process for recovering glass from municipal trash. The invention comprises the separate treatment and recycling of the process water resulting from the first step separation of the incoming trash into a glass and inorganic constituent and an organic constituent for reuse in that step; the separate treatment and recycling of the process water emanating from the second step size classification to either the first or second steps; and, the treatment and recycling of the process water used in the froth flotation separation of the glass from the other inorganic constituents to any of the three steps in the process.

Abstract: Coal recovery processes of the agglomeration type in which solvent extraction with a fluorocarbon solvent is used to recover the agglomeration promoting additive.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating relatively heavy particles, such as rock, from relatively light particles, such as coal, in a liquid, such as water, of lesser specific gravity than either the heavier or the lighter particles, comprising an upwardly inclined trough and auger driven to move particles upward in the trough, means for feeding a mixture of the heavier and lighter particles into the trough, a liquid dispensing means above the feed means for discharging liquid down the trough to create turbulent flow, and a weir forming a pool in the lower end of the trough.The invention further comprises an auger having an upper end which is spaced below the upper end of the trough to provide a space for the accumulation of heavy particles at the upper end of the trough to facilitate dewatering of the heavy particles before discharge from the upper end of the trough.

Abstract: A filter system and method for extracting entrained lint particles from an effluent air stream prior to discharge into the atmosphere. The system and method are intended for use in combination with a cyclonic separator of the type having a vertical settling chamber for separating relatively dense fiber product from airborne lint entrained in a product stream. The filter system includes a housing forming an air stream inlet, a lint discharge outlet and a clean air outlet. A rotatable screen is interposed between the air stream inlet and the clean air outlet whereby the entrained lint is accumulated on the screen as the effluent air stream flows through the screen for discharge into the atmosphere. The accumulated lint deposit is presented to the lint discharge outlet as the screen turns. A first fan blower is coupled to the separator for inducing an upwardly moving inner vortex for entraining the airborne lint, and coupled to the filter inlet for discharging the entrained lint onto the rotatable screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a fibrous mass from peat, in which, after a primary sorting operation, the peat-material suspension is liquid-concentration regulated by supplying thereto an amount of liquid depending on the degree of humidification of the dug-up peat, and then supplying the suspension under pressure to at least one screening member having a permeability depending on the peat-fiber concentration of the peat-material after the concentration regulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering metal containers of a selected type from a collection of trash is disclosed. The apparatus includes pneumatic and magnetic separators for removing extraneous debris. The separated containers are crushed and weighed. Compensation is issued in response to the weight of the separated containers. The separated containers are stored in an overhead compartment for collection and transportation.

Abstract: A glass bead separating apparatus and method are disclosed, for use with a slurry blast cabinet. The system is capable of continuous operation, so that glass beads which are broken and undersized can be separated out of the slurry along with debris from the blasting operation, on a continuous basis while blasting takes place, and the slurry can be continuously returned to the blasting cabinet in the purified condition. Used slurry is withdrawn from a hopper at the bottom of the blasting cabinet, pumped up to the top of the separator apparatus and delivered through a nozzle over an inclined screen sized to pass everything but reuseable, whole glass beads. The reuseable beads are collected in a bin, while the remainder passes down onto another, much finer screen which retains nearly everything but the liquid slurry medium, which is preferably water. The relatively clean water drops into a holding tank at the bottom of the separator apparatus, with an overflow weir provided to maintain a preselected water level.

Abstract: A method of slurrying fibrous organic materials containing grit and removing grit therefrom is provided comprising the steps of particulating the fibrous organic materials, combining the particulated fibrous organic materials with a liquid to form a slurry of suspendable grit and materials contained therein, separating non-suspendable grit and materials from the slurry and then separating suspended grit contained in the slurry therefrom. A system for carrying out the method of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Fine coals suspended in a coal flotation froth are more efficiently filtered when the flotation froth is subjected to a thickening operation prior to filtration. The thickening operation is accomplished by the use of a clarifier or thickener.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a coal slurry from a raw coal feedstock which contains coal and gangues. The process optimizes coal recovery, coal quality and the hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline slurry.

Abstract: A method for separation of large-sized salt containing minerals comprises subjecting the minerals to a succession of screening, selective crumbling and screening operations. The treated fractions from the second screening are separately submitted to magnetic separation, dehydrated and the spray water recovered from dehydration of the screened fraction is processed for salt extraction.

Abstract: Solid Municipal Waste is loaded, or loaded and compacted, into a pressure vessel which has means for very fast opening for discharging the contents. The pressure vessel is pressurized, with steam, or a compressed gas such as compressed air. The pressure vessel can be fitted with a breech and a quick release muzzle cover and at the discharge end (muzzle) thereof is fitted with an orifice whose purpose is to promote a powerful turbulence and shock wave, through which the exiting solid material must pass to maintain pressure within the vessel during discharge, and to control the rate of discharge. The disruptive forces produced at the orifice, which can be either a sub-sonic, sonic, or supersonic flow orifice, are a function of the strength of the shock wave or the turbulence. The discharged material is then gravity separated in the wet or dry conditions and the separated materials are then employed in additional processes, or employed as landfill depending on its chemical and physical properties.

Abstract: An inlet line deflector and equalizer means for a cyclone for washing crushed and sized coal with water wherein low density (1.6 or less) washed coal particles escape through the outlet pipe above the bottom collector through the box of the cyclone while higher density (1.7 or higher) siliceous impurities drain out of the cyclone bottom. The higher density impure fractions may be recycled in another cyclone to further fractionate into purified coal and refuse. Pure coal particles flow out through the outlet pipe above the box and impure particles containing shale, rock, clay, etc. drain at the bottom. Laminar flow is uniquely created by (1) providing high solids of about 18% to 50%, (2) at high velocity of about 18 to 28 feet per second within the cyclone and (3) by placement of an inlet line deflector in a predetermined critical dimension in the intake pipe.

Abstract: A method for processing a slurry of coal particles in water by dividing the slurry into a coarse fraction including at least substantially the coarser coal particles and a fine fraction including at least substantially the finer coal particles, reducing the water content of the coarse fraction, and separately stabilizing the fine fraction by addition of coal particles alone or coal particles suspended in water or oil, or by reduction of the water content of the fine fraction.

Abstract: A flotation process for concentrating tungsten or tin ores is achieved by grinding the ores with a grinding medium other than steel, first conditioning a deslimed sulfide free pulp with an acid, further treating the pulp with an emulsified collector and recovering the tungsten or tin in the float. The flotation concentrate can be further enriched by leaching with an inorganic acid.

Abstract: This specification discloses a procedure and facilities for removing animal excretions from rubber particles used as stall bedding material for animals, such as horses. The procedure involves vacuuming the bedding material into a drum container and then wheeling and securing the filled container onto a skip-hoist of the sanitizing equipment. The hoist raises the container and deposits its contents into a holding hopper from which they are fed through a meter at a uniform rate onto an orbiting screener. The orbit movement and orientation of the screener segregates the animal excretions and hay from the rubber particles. The latter are steam cleaned and then fed onto a leaf-type vibrating screener for drying, sanitizing and insecticide spray coating. The sanitized particles are next vibratorily moved off the screener into a collecting drum. Waste extracted from the two screeners is conveyed onto an inclined platform for migration toward a waste collector.

Abstract: A method of using fluorinated hydrocarbons as a carrier to convey mined coal to a separation station. The carrier acts as a parting liquid for beneficiating the coal. The carrier is recovered and returned to the mine for conveying more coal. Some of the returned carrier may be used at the mining face as a dust suppressant. Ash from burning the coal may be returned with the carrier where it is disposed of as waste material.

Abstract: Coal is separated in a gravity separator using a fluorinated hydrocarbon parting liquid. The cleaned coal is burned and the ash mixed with recovered parting liquid and returned to the gravity separator. Additives may be dispersed in the parting liquid to alter the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the products. The additive may be a dustproofing or a waterproofing agent.

Abstract: Fine coals suspended in a coal flotation froth are more efficiently filtered when the flotation froth is subjected to a thickening operation prior to filtration. The thickening operation is accomplished by the use of a clarifier or thickener.

Abstract: A single stage or multi-stage coal washing plant comprises a plurality of bunched cyclones supplied with raw crushed coal water slurry at high solids content and high velocity common from a tank through a distributor line that contains an equalizer for supplying equal quantities of solids to each cyclone through an inlet pipe having a critically dimensioned deflector that assists in maintaining streamlined laminar flow. A dewatering screen is used in combination with a centrifugal drier; the water separated from the refuse and clean coal is recycled to a silt pond. A make up water reservoir receives the overflowing water from the silt pond and a caustic soda tank supplies sodium hydroxide between the pump and the reservoir to neutralize acidity during continuous operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process and a cleaning machine for seed, grain and similar goods, in which the cleaning is realized by means of air circulated in an enclosed path by at least one fan, the air passing the grain adjacent the discharge opening of the machine for the air-cleaned grain. In the machine the resistance to the air circulating in the enclosed path is adjusted such that the static O-point will be located in the vicinity of the discharge opening for the air-cleaned grain. Furthermore, for the purposes of the above-disclosed process, the fan cooperates with a duct for the cleaning air moving to the fan, and with a duct for the air recycled to the cleaning station at the discharge opening, the ducts being of roughly the same length.

Abstract: This invention describes apparatus and method for recycling undelivered cement left as residue in cement trucks. Undelivered cement at the end of the working day is deposited on a shaker screen under action of high pressure water jets which trap large aggregate and force the large aggregate onto a first belt for collection. Sand, cement and water fall through the first screen onto a second screen which traps sand under action of high pressure jets that force the sand onto a second belt for delivery to a collection area. The remaining cement, water and slurry is collected in a trough and pumped to a settling tank having an auger that periodically mixes the water and cement to prevent hardening. A skimmer located at the uppermost portion of the settling tank collects clear water used to clean the aggregate and cement previously mentioned. The cement, water and slurry collected in the settling tank is used in combination with fresh sand and cement to provide a fresh charge to waiting cement trucks.

Abstract: Rutile which has been separated from ilmenite during a process for obtaining titanium metal values may be recovered in a more simple manner by effecting the water wash of the solid rutile at a pH above about 7.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fractional distribution of fibers by specific surface in a sample of mechanically treated pulp comprising: a hydrocyclone, at least two collecting chambers, a pump to feed pulp to said hydrocyclone, means to selectively connect the pump inlet with each chamber and means to selectively connect one of the outlets of the hydrocyclone to a selected chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for beneficiating crushed raw coal comprising: cleaning the crushed coal in bulk in cyclone separators using only water as a cleaning medium and obtaining a product of wet clean coal and wet reject material and also a stream of effluent; drying said wet clean coal and wet reject material by agglomerating after the addition of a small amount of oil and then centrifuging to obtain a product of clean dry coal and solid reject material and also a stream of effluent; treating the effluent stream from the cleaning step and the effluent stream from the drying step by means of flocculation to recover a product of coal and reject sludge which is returned to pass through the drying step again; and thus obtain clean water which is recycled and applied to the input of the cyclones in the cleaning step.

Abstract: A method for magnetically separating discoloring contaminants of low magnetic attractability from a crude kaolin clay containing said contaminants. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is admixed with a finely divided magnetic particulate. The slurry is thereupon passed through a porous, ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of an applied magnetic field, whereby contaminants seeded by the particulate are separated from the slurry.

Abstract: A wet process is disclosed for the beneficiation of electrostatic fly ash to provide therefrom a series of products which have higher commercial value than the raw fly ash, including a carbon concentrate, cenospheres, an iron concentrate, an enhanced pozzolan, and an inert mineral filler.

Abstract: An improved process for filter dewatering of an iron ore concentrate slurry produced from iron ore by selective flocculation followed by flotation wherein acid and then a surface tension reducing agent of the sulfosuccinate class is added to the concentrate slurry before the slurry is filtered.

Abstract: Lead battery components such as metallic grids and paste are fed into a tumbling drum which has inlet and outlet ends and an intermediate region in which there are screens for the fine particles of paste to discharge to the exterior of the drum. Water is sprayed onto the plates in the drum. A shroud or housing surrounds the region of the drum containing the screens. Means are provided to create subatmospheric air pressure in the shroud and, consequently, in the drum. The slurry of paste particles is collected in a tank which is integral with the bottom of the shroud. The slurry is passed through a cyclone separator and the water extracted by the separator is recirculated through the lines which supply the spray nozzles. All openings in the drum are subjected to subatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: There is provided a system for segregating through comminution and classification solid waste into ferrous metal, inorganic, and organic fractions. The inorganic fraction is further classified into aluminum and glass fractions. The organic fraction is further comminuted, dried and fed to a pyrolysis system where it is converted to gas for use in drying the organic material for feed to the pyrolysis system, pyrolytic oils and char. The principal saleable products recovered are char, pyrolytic oils, glass, aluminum, and ferrous metal.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a raw ore product such as coal is disclosed wherein the ore product temperature is increased up to about 200.degree.-212.degree. F. before water is separated therefrom whereby the moisture content of the cleaned product is controlled. The ore product is passed through a bath of hot water, then surface water is removed before the ore product is moved through an evaporative cooler in a downward direction while being subjected to air at ambient temperature and at an air capacity of between 10,000 and 15,000 cubic feet per ton of ore product.

Abstract: An iron ore concentrate is made having at least 60% -6 to +14 mesh and no more than about 1% -20 mesh, by a process preferably employing a small counterflow sizer on a product obtained from the concentrate of a spiral concentrator through which is processed a high-iron mill product or partially concentrated coarse feed. The product of the counterflow sizer is agitated to separate cohering particles and then further concentrated.

Abstract: A purification apparatus for water purification with a settling device for sediment which, settling device comprises a settling vessel and a separate sediment container, which for the purification, stand open in communicative connection with each other in the assembled condition and are sealed tightly in the connection plane toward the outside by a seal, and for exchange of the sediment container are constructed moveable relative to each other. The settling vessel is supported with a roller wagon on running rails, which roller wagon has longitudinally variable supports which each comprises a telescopic tube with a spring arranged therein. A purification system includes a separation device and a collection vessel in inlet and outlet communication, respectively, with the settling vessel, the separation device including a vibrating screen, a supply line entering the settling vessel, and a purge from the collection vessel spraying water on the screen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating mature okra seed into its essential basic components of oil, germ, kernel material and hull. The separation is obtained by cracking the seed in, or immersing previously cracked seed in a liquid medium having a specific gravity of 1.3 plus or minus 0.2 at 60.degree. F. The liquid medium may be an aqueous solution adjusted with sodium chloride, sugar, or other water soluble organic material. However, in order to extract the oil, a solvent such as 1,1,1,-trichloroethane or a blend of trichlorotrifluoroethane and hexane is suitable. The liquid medium will separate the cracked components because of the differences in density of the various components. The hulls will sink in the liquid, and the germ and kernel floats or remains suspended in the liquid. The germ and kernel is then decanted from the hulls, the oil and liquid solvent is separated from the solids by a filter and the oil is extracted from the liquid solvent.

Abstract: A drum screen for cleaning and classifying wood chips is mounted for rotation. The screen has apertures of varying size to permit cleaned chips to pass through to be deposited on conveyors located below. An internal annular spiral baffle extends the full length of the drum and a series of chip lifters are located between the flights of the spiral baffle and project radially inwards from the interior surface of the drum. Wood chips are fed into the drum at one end and are carried through the drum while being lifted towards the axis of the drum by the chip lifters to effect loosening of waste material from the chips. Cleaned chips pass through the apertures in the drum and chips too large to pass through are carried forward and discharged from the end of the drum onto a conveyor. A casing surrounds the upper portion of the drum and partially encloses the discharge end of the drum. An air suction device is connected to the discharge end of the drum, drawing off all waste material loosened from the chips.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for separating solid particles from a liquid, including both light particles which tend to flow on or close to the surface of the liquid and heavy particles which tend to sink to the bottom of the liquid. The apparatus includes: a separation tank, an inlet means, a weir, a heavy particle outlet means, and a substantially clear liquid outlet means.

Abstract: A slurry of coal solids or similar carbonaceous material substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles is prepared for delivery to any desired place of use by introducing particulate coal and a suitable carrier liquid into a slurry preparation zone; passing a stream of slurry from the slurry preparation zone to a liquid-solids separator; returning a concentrated slurry stream from the separator to the slurry preparation zone; and passing a substantially clarified liquid stream from the separator to an elutriation zone, which communicates with and extends downward from the slurry preparation zone, in such a manner as to form an upward directed current in the elutriation zone.

Abstract: Metal contained within soil is separated therefrom by introducing the soil into a tank containing water which is quite turbulent, the turbulence being generated by the fact that the water is introduced into the tank in a swirl and also directly upwardly through the center of the swirl. Vibrator units on the sidewalls of the tank further add to the turbulence. Upon being introduced into the turbulent water, the soil quickly turns to mud which goes into suspension and the suspension so formed is buoyed upwardly by the incoming clean water which rises through the tank. The suspension overflows the tank and is directed to a settling basin where the mud is allowed to settle out. The clean water which remains is recirculated through the tank. The metal, on the other hand, being considerably heavier than the mud, passes downwardly through the tank where it is thoroughly washed by the incoming water. The washed metal passes out of the bottom of the tank and is elevated upwardly by a screw-type conveyor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering useable materials from discarded scrap material, such as junked automobiles, is disclosed in which non-ferrous metals are separated from non-metals in a hydrocyclone using water as the aqueous separating medium. A particulate scrap/water suspension is injected into the cylindrical area of the hydrocyclone and a predominently non-metal-containing portion is removed from an overflow area of the cyclone while the non-ferrous metal containing portion is removed from the apex area of the cyclone. If required, the scrap material is preferably pulverized prior to treatment and is subjected to a ferrometallic separation operation if such metals are present.

Abstract: A chip washer which has its cylindrical upper part an upwards directed outlet pipe and an outlet channel for washed chips and in which the foreign materials separated from the chips sink into the funnel part attached to the upper part as its continuation, the funnel part having been linked by means of a valve to a tubular part to remove foreign materials. The washer is partly or entirely filled with a washing liquid which is introduced tangentially from close to the edge of the upper part of the washer in such a manner that the washing liquid is put into a circulatory motion forcing the chips fed from the upper part of the washer downwards in the circular space between the side wall of the upper part and the outlet pipe, whereby the chips freed from foreign materials pass into the outlet pipe and from there into the outlet channel, and the foreign materials pass into the funnel part and further through the valve into the tubular part.

Abstract: A procedure and apparatus are shown for on a continuous, commercially practical basis recovering a non-ferrous base metal, such as copper or aluminum in the form of clean, bright metal pieces or bits and for enabling recovery of different non-ferrous coating metals, such as of lead, tin or alloys thereof, and under conditions in which a resin insulating coating may be present. Mechanical shredding means is used for reducing insulated wire to an aggregate containing bits, particles or pieces within a requisite size range, extraneous magnetics are removed, and the content of resin coating material is reduced under dry conditions to within a maximum of 2%.

Abstract: A device for hydraulically classifying solid fragments includes two side-by-side liquid-holding compartments between which liquid is continuously circulated; the liquid flows through a flow tube connecting the lower region of the first compartment with the second compartment, then flows upwardly through a throat zone in the first compartment and then over a weir back to the second compartment. The flow tube has a convergent mouth in the second compartment and a divergent outlet in the first compartment. A pump is arranged to withdraw a fraction of the circulating liquid from the second compartment and to inject that liquid into an eductor arranged at the mouth of the flow tube in the second compartment. Solids classification is accomplished at the throat zone: heavier solids sink through the throat zone, and lighter solids are carried upward in the rising current over the weir and onto a drainage screen.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing nails in polished and clean form comprising means to carry out the steps of providing a continuous flow of nails from a source, subjecting the nails to a vibratory separating mechanism to remove unwanted particles of matter, cleaning the nails by moving same through a vibratory trough while spraying cleaning solution over the nails, and polishing and drying the nails by moving same through a vibratory trough filled with a drying and polishing media while heating the mix within the trough.

Abstract: Demineralization of coal in which a slurry of the coal to be treated is ground in the presence of aqueous acid such as HCl H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and H.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and then the slurry is subjected to froth flotation in the presence of a gas selected from Cl.sub.2, SO.sub.2, or CO.sub.2.

Abstract: In a low profile crusher which has first and second cylindrical rolls journaled so that the rotational axis of the rolls are parallel and an input conveyor and an output conveyor is improved by journaling the first roll so that the distance from the axis of the first roll to the product side of the output conveyor is slightly greater than the radius of the first roll. The input conveyor is mounted over the first roll so that the distance between the axis of the first roll and the return side of the input conveyor is slightly greater than the radius of the first roll. The second roll is journaled above the first roll so that the maximum height of the second roll is at least equal to the height of the product side of the input conveyor and close enough to the first roll to produce a predetermined maximum size of product. A scalping method for the above is formed by mounting the input end of the input conveyor in substantially the same plane as the output conveyor.

Abstract: Hollow microspheres having thin and very uniform wall thickness are useful as containers for the deuterium and tritium gas mixture used as a fuel in laser fusion targets. Hollow microspheres are commercially available; however, in commercial lots only a very small number meet the rigid requirements for use in laser fusion targets. Those meeting these requirements may be separated from the unsuitable ones by subjecting the commercial lot to size and density separations and then by subjecting those hollow microspheres thus separated to an external pressurization at which those which are aspherical or which have nonuniform walls are broken and separating the sound hollow microspheres from the broken ones.