Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning sand used at a foundry, wherein sand to be cleaned is screened by a screening apparatus. The screened sand and at least one liquid mixture is fed into an abrasive apparatus. After that, the screened sand is rubbed by the abrasive apparatus. The rubbed sand and at least one liquid mixture is added to a water separation screen for separating a water blend from the rubbed sand. Finally, the separated sand is transferred into an oven and cleaned thermally by rotating the separated sand in the heated oven.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for feeding a feed slurry into a particle separator having a fluidisation source. The feed apparatus comprises a chamber having at least one baffle for dividing the chamber into a first zone and a second zone. A feed inlet feeds the slurry into the first zone (20) and the baffle deflects the slurry away from the second zone and direct fluidisation fluid from the fluidisation source through the second zone to combine with the slurry from the first zone. A particle separator incorporating the feed apparatus and a method of particle separation is also provided.

Abstract: A modular star system for grading, cleaning, and transporting produce includes opposing, first and second hub modules with opposing, tapered surfaces, and plural finger modules separated by the first and second hub modules. Each finger module has finger members that are color-coded and the finger module and first and second hub modules are disposed on a rotatable shaft. Outer surfaces of either of the finger or hub modules are color-coded, and are substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft. There is also a method of using the modular star system for grading, cleaning, and transporting produce.

Abstract: To improve cycling characteristics of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery by obtaining a nickel-cobalt composite hydroxide having a sharp particle size distribution as a precursor, a slurry including a nickel-cobalt composite hydroxide obtained by continuously supplying an aqueous solution that includes at least nickel and cobalt, an ammonium ion donor aqueous solution and a caustic alkali aqueous solution to a reaction vessel and reacting, is continuously extracted and separated into a large particle size portion and s small particle size portion by classification, and the small particle size portion is continuously returned to the reaction vessel. As a result, a nickel-cobalt composite hydroxide is obtained that is expressed by the general formula: Ni1?x?yCoxMy(OH)2 (where, 0.05?x?0.50, 0?y?0.10, 0.05?x+y?0.50, and M is at least one kind of metal element selected from among Al, Mg, Mn, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn and Ga, and that satisfies the relationships (D50?D10)/D50?0.30, and (D90?D50)/D50?0.

Abstract: To improve cycling characteristics of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery by obtaining a nickel-cobalt composite hydroxide having a sharp particle size distribution as a precursor, a slurry including a nickel-cobalt composite hydroxide obtained by continuously supplying an aqueous solution that includes at least nickel and cobalt, an ammonium ion donor aqueous solution and a caustic alkali aqueous solution to a reaction vessel and reacting, is continuously extracted and separated into a large particle size portion and s small particle size portion by classification, and the small particle size portion is continuously returned to the reaction vessel. As a result, a nickel-cobalt composite hydroxide is obtained that is expressed by the general formula: Ni1-x-yCoxMy(OH)2 (where, 0.05?x?0.50, 0?y?0.10, 0.05?x+y?0.50, and M is at least one kind of metal element selected from among Al, Mg, Mn, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn and Ga, and that satisfies the relationships (D50?D10)/D50?0.30, and (D90?D50)/D50?0.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating materials and recovery of valuable materials such as from end-of-life vehicles and appliances are disclosed. Vehicles are shredded and resulting pieces are dropped into a fluidic separator that separates the shredded vehicle scrap into heavier pieces and lighter pieces. The fluidic separator separates the bulk of the more valuable metals of the non-metals. The fluidic separator, which may be used for separating many kinds of mixtures of pieces of varying specific gravity, comprises a fluid-filled container in which the pieces and the fluid are stirred so that pieces of specific gravity greater than that of the fluid tend to sink and pieces of specific gravity less than that of the fluid tend to float.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying particulate material includes at least one tank for receiving a feed slurry, a device for introducing water into a lower region of the at least one tank whereby water is caused to flow upwardly and through the feed slurry contained therein, whereby hydraulic separation takes place within the at least one tank with particles of lower settling velocity progressing upwardly and into a device for effecting discharge of an overflow fraction from the at least one tank, and particles of greater settling velocity progressing downwardly to a lower region of at least one tank, wherein the feed slurry is introduced into the at least one tank in an upwards direction.

Abstract: A shrimp deveining machine with adjustable blades. The deveiner has an inclined trough with groups of blades arranged in a zig-zag pattern. The trough is lubricated by water to help shrimps advance along the blades, which slit the shrimps' backs to expose their veins. Blade-height adjusters adjust the height of the blades above the trough. Blade-angle adjusters adjust the angles of the blades relative to the length direction of the trough. Magnets are used to hold the blades in place for easy replacement. A feed tank at the entrance to the trough includes a serpentine path to separate the shrimps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an ore slurry that can suppress a rise in the viscosity of the ore slurry and consequently prevent a failure in transporting the slurry, and also to provide a metal refining method utilizing such a slurry producing method. The present invention includes: a pulverizing/classifying step of pulverizing raw material ores and classifying the resulting ores at a predetermined classifying point so that oversized ore particles are removed so as to obtain a coarse ore slurry composed of undersized ore particles; a grain size measuring step of measuring the grain size of the resulting coarse ore slurry; and an ore slurry condensing step of loading the coarse ore slurry to a solid-liquid separation device and separating and removing moisture contained in the coarse ore slurry therefrom so as to condense ore components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a simplified valuable mineral sorting apparatus including, a first storage tank which accommodates a mixture of water and heavy powder and includes a specific gravity measurement module; a second storage tank accommodating a portion of the mixture exceeding a capacity level line of the first storage tank; a first discharge tube which is connected to the first storage tank and the second storage tank to introduce the excess portion of the mixture into the second storage tank, and which is positioned at the capacity level line of the first storage tank; a second discharge tube which is connected to the first storage tank to discharge the mixture in the first storage tank and which includes a flow rate control module; a specific gravity sorting device which includes a sorting container for receiving the mixture discharged from the second discharge tube and which changes a slope of the sorting container to sort minerals from the mixture in the sorting container; and a control unit for controll

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: There is provided a workpiece separation apparatus permitting input of a mixture of workpieces and chips stably within a flow current and separating them accurately and efficiently. The workpiece separation apparatus includes an input cylinder inserted within a separating container, and a fluid supplying means arranged so as to supply fluid to the separating container from a part lower than a lower end of the input cylinder, and configured such that the fluid overflows and flows out of the upper end of the separating container due to a flow current generated within the separating container, and such that the level of the fluid rises up in the input cylinder and the fluid does not flow out of the upper end of the input cylinder, but is maintained substantially in a resting state and at a level above the level of the upper end of the separating container.

Abstract: A problem of the invention is to provide a method which targets on polyethylene terephthalate-made bottle scraps composed mainly of polyethylene and/or polypropylene, polystyrene and a polyester and which is able to treat continuously a large amount of the polyester component with a high purity and sort and recover it in a high recovery. The problem of the invention can be solved by a separation method of waste plastics, which is characterized by forming previously a crushed plastic into a water slurry, feeding the water slurry in a fixed rate range such that a swirling flow is generated within a cylindrical tank and that water rises in a fixed rate range and recovering a polyester with a high specific gravity as a precipitated component within the cylindrical tank and a plastic with a low specific gravity as an overflow component from the top of the cylindrical tank, respectively.

Abstract: The present application discloses a process for the high throughput separation of at least one distinct biological material from a sample using magnetic tags and a magnetic separation set up capable of processing at least about 106 units/second. A magnetic field gradient is used to deflect target material bearing a magnet tag from one laminar flow stream to another so that the magnetically tagged target material exits a separation chamber via a different outlet than the rest of the sample. The process is applicable to isolating several distinct biological materials by directing each via magnetic deflection to its own unique outlet. The application also discloses a system for performing the process and a kit that includes the system and the magnetic tags.

Abstract: A housing adapted to receive a flow of slurry has a central section, an upper section, and a lower section. A clean water introduction assembly has a horizontal manifold, a plurality of horizontal apertured pipes and a plurality of vertical water lines. A valve assembly has an upper valve and a lower valve. The upper valve is normally open. The lower valve is normally closed to feed clean water from the manifold through the water lines and out of the apertured pipes into the housing. In this manner water entering the housing will cause a hindered settling. The valve assembly is also operable in a back flow mode with the upper valve being closed and the lower valve being opened. In this manner water from the housing will flow from the apertured pipes. In this manner clogs in the holes of the apertured pipe are cleared. A coupling assembly is provided.

Abstract: An elutriation column is installed in a separation tank. The elutriation column includes a vertical separation column having a first side feed arm and a second side overflow arm spaced above the first side feed arm. Water is forced upwardly through the vertical separation column at a controllable velocity. A solid feed mixture is fed through the first side feed arm to the vertical separation column. Water from the tank rising in the vertical separation column at the controlled velocity causes targeted floater materials to move upwardly in the vertical separation column and heavier sinker materials to continue to sink. The floater materials flow from an outlet in the side of the separation tank into the recovery tank. At a discharge, lower end of the vertical separation column, the heavier sinker materials are removed from the separation tank. A mechanism is provided for purging undesirable materials that can cause plugging from the feed arm.

Abstract: A hindered-settling fluid classifier is adapted for processing material aggregate in a liquid medium. The fluid classifier includes a classifier tank defined by walls designed for holding the liquid medium, and comprising a sink fraction chamber and a float fraction chamber, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. An elongated rising current column is vertically mounted within the sink fraction chamber, and adapted for extending below a surface of the liquid medium held therein. The rising current column has open upper and lower ends, and defines an aggregate entry between its upper and lower ends for receiving material aggregate into the classifier tank. A float fraction reservoir is located above the sink fraction chamber, and communicates with the open upper end of the rising current column. An overflow passage communicates with the float fraction reservoir, and is adapted for directing the liquid medium outwardly from the reservoir and into the float fraction chamber.

Abstract: A slurry dividing apparatus is configured to divide a main slurry stream into smaller constituent slurry streams, wherein each stream contains a desired proportion of suspended solids. The dividing apparatus includes a main flow channel and a plurality of branch flow channels extending upward from a flow divider that terminates an upper end of the main flow channel. The main slurry stream enters the main flow channel, at an inlet opening thereof, and is decelerated, by an upward extension and expanding cross-section of the main flow channel, before reaching the flow divider and being divided into the smaller constituent slurry streams flowing within the plurality of branch flow channels. Each of the smaller streams flows up and then over a weir, which extends across an upper portion of each of the branch flow channels, and then down into a corresponding discharge flow channel of the apparatus.

Abstract: An elutriation column is installed in a separation tank. The elutriation column includes a vertical separation column having a first side feed arm and a second side overflow arm spaced above the first side feed arm. Water is forced upwardly through the vertical separation column at a controllable velocity. A solid feed mixture is fed through the first side feed arm to the vertical separation column. Water from the tank rising in the vertical separation column at the controlled velocity causes targeted floater materials to move upwardly in the vertical separation column and heavier sinker materials to continue to sink. The floater materials flow from an outlet in the side of the separation tank into the recovery tank. At a discharge, lower end of the vertical separation column, the heavier sinker materials are removed from the separation tank. A mechanism is provided for purging undesirable materials that can cause plugging from the feed arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to continuously separate manure and bedding comprise a vertical housing without screens, grates, or filters therein, a manure and bedding inlet port coupled to the side of the housing, and a water inlet port coupled to the side of the housing. The system further comprises at least one inlet flow controller. Upon separation of the bedding and manure, the housing comprises a manure outlet port disposed on its upper portion and configured to output a product stream comprising separated manure and water. The housing further comprises a bedding outlet port disposed on its lower portion and configured to output a product stream comprising separated bedding and water.

Abstract: A separation apparatus comprising, a series of compartments for holding particulate separation material, arranged so as to allow fluid to flow through the compartments in a primary direction from a first compartment in the series to a last compartment in the series, feed means for directing a flow of the fluid into the first of the series of compartments in the primary direction, barrier means for preventing flow of particulate separation material between compartments in the primary direction, and a pumping assembly arranged to pump a mixture of the particulate separation material and the fluid from the first compartment into a recovery stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for singulating ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to continuously separate manure and bedding comprise a vertical housing without screens, grates, or filters therein, a manure and bedding inlet port coupled to the side of the housing, and a water inlet port coupled to the side of the housing. The system further comprises at least one inlet flow controller. Upon separation of the bedding and manure, the housing comprises a manure outlet port disposed on its upper portion and configured to output a product stream comprising separated manure and water. The housing further comprises a bedding outlet port disposed on its lower portion and configured to output a product stream comprising separated bedding and water.

Abstract: A hindered-settling fluid classifier is adapted for processing aggregate entrained in a flowing slurry. The classifier includes a classifier tank defined by walls, and having an inlet at its upstream end and an outlet at its downstream end. A slurry feed pipe is connected to the tank inlet for introducing the aggregate slurry into the classifier tank for processing. A plurality of laterally-extending flow control doors are spaced apart along a length of the classifier tank, and are adapted for interrupting flow of the aggregate slurry downstream from the tank inlet to the tank outlet. The doors define respective material settling zones each located a progressively greater distance downstream from the tank inlet. At least one water line is provided for generating an upwardly rising current in each of the material settling zones to control the settling velocity of aggregate floating downwardly towards a base of the classifier tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to the concentration of useful minerals and may be used in the concentration of iron ores. The magnetic hydroseparator includes a body with an upper drain, a supply device, a driving scraping device, set up with the possibility of interacting with the inner surface of an annular magnetic system and made with a changing number of revolutions, the annular magnetic system being set up within the upper part of the body, an unloading device with a washing device made with the possibility of regulating the supply of the washing liquid, gas or mixture of these, the lower part of the body being made in the shape of a cone. The claimed invention permits increasing the efficiency of concentration. One dependent claim, two illustrations.

Abstract: A pre-separator feed well for use with hydrous slurry feed is provided in a hindered-bed separator that includes an elongate body defining an interior space with upper and lower portions. The feed well is elongate and includes a vertically adjustable conical plate adjacent the bottom thereof for control of downward flow of heavy material. The top of the feed well includes an overflow weir including an overflow ring having a plurality of vertical slots through which flows the lighter material onto an overflow weir adjacent an overflow launder and to an outlet pipe. Feed is introduced into the upper portion of the feed well in a tangential manner. A perforated barrier may be mounted below the feed well in some circumstances. Teeter flow is introduced in a lower portion of the separator and flows upwardly. Alternatively, the lower part of the separator can be perforated for heavy/coarse material discharge.

Abstract: A system to remove mercury and mercury-containing particles from waste water prior to entrance into a municipal sewage system. In one form, the system includes a housing having an interior chamber with an inlet and outlet in fluid communication in the chamber, and a filter inside the chamber. The filter, in one embodiment, includes a course filter, an abatement filter, and an ion exchange filter. The chamber and filter may be formed in a removable cartridge mounted in the housing to facilitate safe handling and disposal thereof.

Abstract: A reflux classifier for segregating particles by size or density using a fluidized bed in a chamber. Arrays of inclined plates form lamellae and divide the chamber into zones into which particles of predetermined size or density migrate. Particle differentiation is controlled by plate length, inclination and spacing in each array, combined with fluidization rate.

Abstract: A process for extracting and purifying naturally occurring zeolite from ores in the presence of other mineral phases by using mechanical dispersion and differential suspension to remove a majority of the clay content of the ore. The process continues by removal of contaminants with a higher mass to surface area ratio than that of the desired zeolite product by employing the properties of demineralized water in combination with a countercurrent flow separation column. No chemical flocculating or flotation agents are employed in the process. The process separates the particulate compound by using the separation effect of an electrical double layer which forms when the mixture is hydrated in a low electrolyte medium.

Abstract: For sieving biocompatible adsorbent beaded polymeric materials, a column is formed for accommodating beads of the polymeric material, a fluid is formed into the column upwardly, a plurality of screening elements located in the column between a bottom of the column and a top of the column and spaced from one another in a vertical direction, the screening elements having openings of different sizes, so that beads of the polymeric material below a predetermined threshold are displaced by a fluid flowing upwardly and through a respect to one of the screening elements, while beads above the predetermined threshold are retained under a respective one of the screening elements, and a plurality of further fluids are supplied downwardly onto each of the screening elements so as to prevent clogging of a respective one of the screening elements and to agitate the polymeric beads in the column under a respective one of the screening elements.

Abstract: A process is described for separating particles based on differences in mass after the selective attachment of air bubbles to reduce the density of one or more of the components of the feed. A novel feature of this process is aeration of a hindered-bed of solids in a fluidized-bed separator to create particle/bubble agglomerates that can be separated based on the principal of gravity. This approach offers an improvement in process efficiency that cannot be achieved by other processes. Air and water are mixed in a shear device before the aerated fluidized water is introduced to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A process and a structure is described for separating particles in a fluid medium based on a difference in settling velocity. The feed is introduced tangential into the separation zone. The tangential feed system includes a transition box to reduce flow velocity and disperse the slurry across the separator eliminating the efficiency losses associated with other classifiers that introduce feed directly into the separation chamber. This approach offers an improvement in process capacity and efficiency. The fluidization water is introduced to the separation chamber below a baffle plate that disperses the water across the base of the separator. The feed system may include baffles in the upper separation chamber, and a stilling well with an impact plate adjustable side walls and adjustable baffle plates to reduce flow velocity and disperse the slurry across the separator.

Abstract: A hydroseparator for separating particles based on the differences in settling rates such as for separating fly ash from gypsum includes a substantially cylindrical side wall closed at its bottom end by a floor. A laminar upflow is created through the hydroseparator by adding dilution water to the bottom of the hydroseparator and removing most of the added dilution water from the top of the hydroseparator. The remaining volume of liquid is removed in an underflow. The hydroseparator is divided into at least two sections by a baffle that extends about the interior of the side wall. An inlet is disposed in the center of the hydroseparator slightly above the baffle such that the material added to the hydroseparator to be separated is inserted into the section of the hydroseparator completely surrounded by the baffle.

Abstract: A method and centrifugal separator apparatus for separating more dense particles from less dense particles contained in a slurry. The separator apparatus receives slurry into a rotor assembly which includes a bowl open upwardly and a surrounding hutch chamber. The bowl has a lower impermeable portion coupled to a drive shaft for rotating the rotor assembly, an upper impermeable portion connected to the lower portion, and a frusto-conical screen. The frusto-conical screen forms the inner wall of the hutch chamber and discharge outlets are provided in the periphery of the hutch chamber. An annular fluid inlet connected to the hutch chamber supplies elutriation liquid continuously to the interior of the hutch chamber, and a plurality of pulse blocks supply intermittent pulses of liquid to the hutch chamber. A dam is formed at the top of the screen. In operation, slurry is supplied to the lower portion of the bowl and forms a bed on the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the membrane portion of waste egg shells from the hard mineral portion thereof, so that each can be used or further processed as desired, thereby addressing the environmental and economic issues associated with disposing of waste egg shells. The membrane and shell are separated by first processing waste egg shells so as to yield small waste egg shell particles. During this processing, the waste egg shell particles are at least slightly abraded, whereby the linking structure between the membrane and shell is at least partially disrupted. Thereafter, the waste egg shell particles are conveyed to a tank containing, preferably, water, and allowed to settle therethrough. As the waste egg shell particles settle, the particles experience turbulent forces in the liquid which cause the membrane and shell portions to fully separate. Since the membrane particles are very light, they tend to remain entrained in the liquid, where they are, for example, siphoned off and dewatered.

Abstract: An elutriation apparatus which combines pressurized liquid nozzles (16A) and the low energy air nozzles (20) producing bubbles for flotation and separation of trace materials in a heterogeneous mixture of materials is described. Quantitative separation of trace evidence is achieved by the apparatus by a closed system of mechanical separations using the water and the air to isolate and deposit trace evidence on a fine mesh screen filter (17) submerged in the water (24) in a container (23). The method provides a rapid, quantitative and inexpensive method for detection of the evidence in soil samples.

Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.

Abstract: A disposable first tube (68) extends axially through, and is detachably connected to, an annular main body (10'). An input piezo electric element (38) is attached to a first end of the tubular main body (10'). A second, sensor piezo electric element (40) is attached to the opposite end of the main body (10'). A nozzle (20') having a nozzle passageway (110) and a discharge opening (112) is detachably secured to an outlet end of the first tube (68). A second tube (102) within the first tube (68) delivers a core liquid to the nozzle passageway (110). A sheath liquid is delivered through a space in the first tube (68) surrounding the second tube (102). The nozzle passageway (110) forms the core and sheath liquids into a small diameter jet stream. Electrical energy is delivered to the input piezo electric element (38), to vibrate the nozzle (20') and break the jet stream into droplets.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of heavy metals from a heavy metal-contaminated material wherein the heavy metal, or particles containing the heavy metal, are separated from the material by a hydraulic mineral separator. The process and apparatus may be used, for example, in removing or recovering of mercury from a mercury-contaminated soil, caustic sludge, or similar material. The process provides a ready method for removal of mercury from mercury-contaminated materials or, more generally, heavy metals from heavy metal contaminated soils which process can allow recovery of the mercury or heavy metal for re-use. The apparatus allows for continuous operation of the mineral separator and automates various functions of the separator allowing for improved control of the process.

Abstract: A disposable first tube (68) extends axially through, and is detachably connected to, an annular main body (10'). An input piezo electric element (38) is attached to a first end of the tubular main body (10'). A second, sensor piezo electric element (40) is attached to the opposite end of the main body (10'). A nozzle (20') having a nozzle passageway (110) and a discharge opening (112) is detachably secured to an outlet end of the first tube (68). A second tube (102) within the first tube (68) delivers a core liquid to the nozzle passageway (110). A sheath liquid is delivered through a space in the first tube (68) surrounding the second tube (102). The nozzle passageway (110) forms the core and sheath liquids into a small diameter jet stream. Electrical energy is delivered to the input piezo electric element (38), to vibrate the nozzle (20') and break the jet stream into droplets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning particulate materials which readily sink in water, being slightly heavier than water, such as beans, peas, grains, etc.; by removing much heavier particulates such as stones, glass, metal pieces, etc., and, by also removing particulates which either float or sink very slowly in water, such as plant stems and leaves, dead insects, bean pods, husks, dust etc. Differences in settling velocities in water are used to separate groups of particulate materials, by allowing the particulates to float or settle through two columns filled with water. The columns have water flowing upward at different velocities, or water flowing upward through one column and stagnant water in the other column.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously separating ion exchange resin particles with upwardly flowing carrier fluid. The apparatus includes a first vertically oriented separation vessel and a first collection vessel for receiving the first fraction of resin particles from the upper zone of the first separation vessel. A first rejuvenation tank is connected to the first collection vessel for receiving the first fraction of resin particles from the first collection vessel. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second vertically oriented separation vessel and a second collection vessel for receiving the first sub-fraction of the second fraction of resin particles from the upper zone of the second separation vessel.

Abstract: The invention is a process and an apparatus for removing metal contamination from soil. In the method, the soil is treated to produce soil with a small particle size. The particulate soil is then separated into a coarse fraction and a fine fraction. The coarse fraction and the fine fraction are contacted with a leach solution in separate contacting zones to remove the metal contamination from the soil, the metal is removed from the leach solution and the leach solution recycled to the leaching zones.

Abstract: A contaminant recovery system for a rifle range having an upstanding retaining wall which serves as a rear wall for the range. A sloped berm is located in front of the rear wall and serves as a target backstop. Drainage means are provided for collecting and diverting water which passes through the berm and for recovering contaminants in the water. A base wall may be located beneath the sloped berm which abuts the retaining wall.

Abstract: A resin processing system in which a mixture of resins, preferably a mixture of anionic and cationic resins, is separated by a laminar or essentially laminar flowing fluid through a separator module, wherein the anionic particles are removed from the top of the module, and the cationic particles are removed from the bottom of the module. The separated particles can be reused, with or without regeneration of the resins, or can be discarded. Preferably, the mixed resin is cleaned by use of one or more vibrating screen and rotating sprayers which spray water prior to introduction into the separation module. Furthermore, the cleaned mixture can be used without separation. The resin processing system can be used to clean and separate resins which have been used, or to condition resins which have not been used, in water purification processes.

Abstract: An extracting agent, preferably sodium hydroxide solution containing 0.2 to 0.7% of NaOH, is allowed to flow from bottom to top through a bed of the comminuted peat and is removed above the bed, at a rate such that the flow remains laminar and the extract obtained remains essentially free of entrained particles of the peat to be extracted. If appropriate, fresh extracting agent is added and the extracting agent is allowed to flow once more through the bed, preferably is recirculated several times. An apparatus for carrying out the process has at least one storage tank for the extracting agent (NaOH), at least one extraction tank (E) and at least one circulation tank (Z) for the extracting agent enriched with extract, feed pipes in which pumps (P) are arranged leading both from the storage tank and from the circulation tank (Z) into the lower pipe from each extraction tank (E), while the discharge pipe from each extraction tank (E) leads from its upper part and enters the associated circulation tank (Z).

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: A lead shot recovery device is disclosed for reclaiming lead shot from a slurry of material taken from lake bottoms. In one embodiment, the device includes a sluice box having an open bottom riffle bed through which can pass a net upward liquid flow. The cooperative action of the upflow and the riffles causes lead shot to fall through the riffle bed and into a collection pit from which the lead shot can be continuously removed. A method for recovering lead shot using the recovery device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contaminant recovery system for a rifle range having an upstanding retaining wall which serves as a rear wall for the range. A sloped berm is located in front of the rear wall and serves as a target backstop. Drainage means are provided for collecting and diverting water which passes through the berm and for recovering contaminants in the water.

Abstract: An uncasing and sorting machine for refillable plastic bottles includes a first conveyor arrangement having an inlet section, an intermediate section, and an outlet section, the intermediate section being positioned within a water bath. Crates of sortable bottles are carried by the first conveyor through the described sections such that lightweight plastic bottles are allowed to float within the water bath. To assist in the upward lift of the lightweight bottles in the water bath, a secondary propulsion force of air or water is provided beneath the bottles. Those bottles which are lifted due to their combined buoyancy and the secondary propulsion force, are transported to a separate facility via a secondary conveyor of either mechanical or air type.