Abstract: A new depressant for use in enhanced separation of polymetallic sulphides is described. The depressant agent is used in conjunction with conventional collector agents and frothing agents in the flotation separation of copper, nickel, lead, zinc sulphides by depressing iron sulphides such as pyrrhotite, pyrite and marcasite in the tailing. The depressant consists of a cross-linked starch chemically combined with a polyacrylate and sugar free lignin sulphonate.

Abstract: A flotation apparatus used in reclaiming resin materials from bottles and other scrap articles each comprising a first low density resin component (e.g., polyethylene) bonded to a second high density resin component (e.g., polyethylene terephthlate); the scrap articles are granulated and air classified to form a primary particulate scrap which is flotation separated in two successive stages. The flotation separation stages each include a first auger in an apertured-bottom trough positioned near the top of a flotation tank with inlet means depositing a flow of particulate scrap and flotation liquid into one end of the trough; the heavy material output is afforded by a second auger in the bottom of the tank, whereas the lightweight material outlet is an overflow weir at one side of the tank. A vigorous washing apparatus using a hot aqueous medium connects the first flotation stage to the second, and a feedback connection conveys low density scrap back from the second flotation stage to the first such stage.

Abstract: A heavy medium low-specific gravity method for recovering coarse clean coal within a size range of about +28 m and fine clean coal and coal-bearing particles within a size range of -28 x Om from a raw coal feed wherein heavy medium is recovered as a substantially clean product which can be recycled in the heavy medium system. In the method a raw coal feed containing coal, shale and other impurities within a size range of about 3.81 cm.times.0 is mixed withi a heavy medium to produce a slurry of low specific gravity between about 1.27 and 1.70. The slurry is treated in at least one cyclone to separate an overflow product containing substantially all coal and coal-bearing particles from an underflow product containing all shale and sulfur-bearing rejects.The overflow product is treated on standard equipment to separate coarse coal from fine coal and heavy medium. The coarse coal is recovered as a usable product.

Abstract: A process particularly suited for producing anthracite coal having an ash content greater than about 20 percent. In the process, an aqueous feedstock slurry composed of raw input and a heavy medium having a magnetic component is subjected to a particular type of cyclonic separating action which produces a coal product having a specific gravity of at least about 1.9 while the specific gravity of the heavy medium is maintained at least about 0.4 units below the specific gravity of the coal product. The configuration of the cyclones and composition of heavy medium is such as to enable separation to occur at a relatively high specific gravity with a medium of relatively low specific gravity and viscosity, thereby minimizing magnetite ore losses and energy required to effect separation.

Abstract: In separating a mixture of solid material particles including non-magnetic electrically conductive metals into a light fraction and a heavy fraction, where the light fraction includes the non-magnetic particles, the mixture is directed into an upwardly extending airflow passageway from an inlet channel extending laterally from the passageway. The inlet channel is spaced between the inlet and outlet ends of the passageway. An alternating magnetic field is provided adjacent the entrance of the mixture into the airflow passageway for accelerating the particles in the desired direction. The mixture is fed through the inlet channel into the airflow passageway in layer form, preferably as a single layer. A main flow of air passes upwardly through the airflow passageway from the lower inlet end and develops a highly turbulent vortex-like airflow. The airflow, in combination with the magnetic field, effects separation of the light and heavy fractions of the material.

Abstract: In separating a mixture of solid material particles including non-magnetic electrically conductive metals into a light fraction and a heavy fraction, where the light fraction includes the non-magnetic particles, the mixture is directed into an upwardly extending airflow passageway from an inlet channel extending laterally from the passageway. The inlet channel is spaced between the inlet and outlet ends of the passageway. An alternating magnetic field is provided adjacent the entrance of the mixture into the airflow passageway for accelerating the particles in the desired direction. The mixture is fed through the inlet channel into the airflow passageway in layer form, preferably as a single layer. A main flow of air passes upwardly through the airflow passageway from the lower inlet end and develops a highly turbulent vortex-like airflow. The airflow, in combination with the magnetic field, effects separation of the light and heavy fractions of the material.

Abstract: A method of separating the constituent minerals of a mixture of minerals requires the introduction of fine particles of magnetic material such as finely ground particles of magnetite. The control of the zeta-potential of the minerals and particles of magnetic material provides heterocoagulation of the magnetized particles with one mineral but not the other to achieve separation. The method is ideally suitable for separating carbonates and phosphate ore and the separation process is enhanced by the addition of a surfactant such as oleate. The slurry is preferably subjected to low intensity magnetic separation to remove unattached particles of magnetic material which can be recycled to keep costs to a minimum.

Abstract: The subject deduster employs gravity to feed the dust and impurity laden particulate material through a linear kinetic energy cell, which cell generates an electric field to neutralize the static electric charges causing the dust to adhere to the particulate material. With the static electric charge neutralized,the dust can be separated by an air flow substantially transverse to the particle flow. The cleaning can be accomplished by pressurized air or a vacuum. The deduster can include means to collect the dust after it has been separated for the particulate material.

Abstract: A concentrate containing precious metals is produced from a particulate feed material containing particles of various sizes by a size fractionation step, a gravity separation step performed on each size fraction separately, a magnetic separation step and a second gravity separation step. The process is especially intended for separating gold and other metals from so-called "black sand" placer deposits.

Abstract: The invention relates to separators for separating relatively magnetic particles from relatively non-magnetic particles in the dry state. The method of the invention involves allowing a mixture of the particles to flow past a magnet, preferably a high strength magnet, which is so arranged as to produce a strong magnetic field in a radial direction, the radial component greatly exceeding the axial component and the axial component exerting a force which is preferably substantially less than that of gravity. In this way, the magnetic particles are diverted towards the magnet but not retained by it while the non-magnetic particles continue in their original path.

Abstract: A unique, high-grade magnetite obtained from fly ash, the use thereof in the cleaning of coal, and low iron content fly ash.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating titaniferous and ferruginous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed containing a deflocculant and a fatty acid collecting agent, and the slurry is conditioned to coat the discolorants with the collecting agent to thereby render the discolorants hydrophobic. A system of sub-micron sized magnetic ferrite seeding particles, the surfaces of which have been rendered hydrophobic, is thereupon added to the slurry. The seeded slurry is mixed to coalesce the hydrophobic-surfaced discolorants with the hydrophobic-surfaced seeding particles, and the slurry is then subjected to a froth flotation, which removes substantial quantities of the discolorants and seeding partices coalesced therewith, and also removes excess seeding particles and excess collecting agent.

Abstract: An eddy current magnetic ore concentrator, using parallel cup cores, where an alternating and direct independent field with phase offset removes and sorts metallic ore components from ferrous and nonferrous ore, where the metal may be in solution or the native form.

Abstract: A process for economically converting carbo-metallic oils to lighter products. The carbo-metallic oils contain 650.degree. F. plus material which is characterized by a carbon residue on pyrolysis of at least about 1 and a Nickel Equivalent of heavy metals content of at least about 4 parts per million. This process comprises flowing the carbo-metallic oil together with particulate cracking catalyst through a progressive flow-type reactor having an elongated reaction chamber, which is at least in part vertical or inclined, for a predetermined vapor riser residence time in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 seconds, at a temperature of about 900.degree. to about 1400.degree. F., and under a pressure of about 10 to about 50 pounds per square inch absolute sufficient for causing a conversion per pass in the range of about 50% to about 90% while producing coke in amounts in the range of about 6 to about 14% by weight based on fresh feed, and laying down coke on the catalyst in amounts in the range of about 0.

Abstract: Oil shale mineral solids are separated from a fluid in a process comprising heating the mineral solids to at least the magnetic transformation temperature of a portion of the solids and thereafter magnetically separating mineral solids from the feed. High gradient magnetic separation techniques are preferred.

Abstract: A process for increasing the color purity of iron oxide pigment particles admixed with color-modifying impurities and obtained by the Penniman process or the aniline process, comprising introducing the particles into a magnetic field, and removing from the magnetic field two fractions of different magnetizability, the first fraction being iron oxide pigment particles of increased color purity and the second fraction being enriched in impurities.

Abstract: A procedure for the separation of arsenic from fluorite by means of magnetization and flotation of the pyrites present in the fluorite ore, and in which arsenic is associated, irrespectively of the chemical form in which said arsenic is present.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating titaniferous and ferruginous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed containing a deflocculant and a fatty acid collecting agent, and the slurry is conditioned to coat the discolorants with the collecting agent to thereby render the discolorants hydrophobic. A system of sub-micron sized magnetic ferrite seeding particles, the surfaces of which have been rendered hydrophobic, is thereupon added to the slurry. The seeded slurry is mixed to coalesce the hydrophobic-surfaced discolorants with the hydrophobic-surfaced seeding particles, and the slurry is then subjected to a froth flotation, which removes substantial quantities of the discolorants and seeding particles coalesced therewith, and also removes excess seeding particles and excess collecting agent.

Abstract: Oil shale mineral solids are separated from a fluid such as retorted shale oil by heating the mineral solids to a temperature above about 480.degree. C. and above the magnetic transformation temperature of at least a portion of the solids. The temperature of the solids is maintained above 480.degree. C. for no longer than about one minute, and the solids are magnetically separated. High gradient magnetic separation techniques are preferred.

Abstract: Uncured rubber scrap may be segregated from metal and fiber contaminants by the method of first embrittling the scrap by immersion in a liquid cryogen, then impacting the embrittled rubber and magnetically removing metal, and then milling the remainder. Gas flotation is used during milling so that particles of rubber and fiber are selectively removed from the mill and subsequently classified by size, whereby most of the fibrous component is segregated from a remainder. The remainder is then worked so as to increase the surface area of residual fiber prior to further segregation of fiber from rubber by gas flotation. The combined milling and flotation procedure may also be used for separating components of other mixtures. Apparatus for embrittling and milling is described.

Abstract: A unique, high-grade magnetite obtained from fly ash, the use thereof in the cleaning of coal, and low iron content fly ash.

Abstract: The electromagnetic separator comprises a cylindrical housing with a conical bottom, a circular electromagnetic system embracing the separator housing on the outside, a cylindrical pulp feeding device with a paddle agitator, a system of disks, a wash water feeding device, a nonmagnetic product discharging device and a magnetic product discharge branch.In order to increase the efficiency of separator operation by providing the appropriate hydrodynamic conditions of pulp flow, the separator comprises a system of disks with holes. The disks are spaced apart and installed one under the other directly underneath the pulp feeding device. The bottom disk is provided with a wash water feeding device constructed in the form of a circular element with tangential branches, there being a gap around the outer side of said circular element.The paddle agitator is located inside the bottom part of the pulp feeding device whose top part is provided with tangential branches.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of aluminum mineral bearing raw materials by using at least three beneficiation treatment stages consisting of dispersion of a pulp of the material in specific pH ranges, screening in specific mesh sizes, and using at least one stage of high intensity magnetic separation.

Abstract: Low-grade, finely disseminated, ores that are not readily amenable to conventional flotation can be upgraded by a selective flocculation-magnetic separation-flotation process. Non-magnetic particles in such an ore can be selectively flocculated either by iron particles in the ore that contain residual magnetite or by the addition of a finely ground magnetic concentrate to the ore. The selectively flocculated pulp is then passed through a magnetic separator for the rejection of siliceous gangue. Depending on the grade of the magnetic concentrates, either cationic or anionic silica flotation may be applied for further upgrading.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating accompanying minerals which are weakly magnetic from useful minerals or ores which are nonmagnetic or less magnetic than the accompanying minerals that are to be separated therefrom, and it is its objective to make magnetic pre-separation of such weakly magnetic accompanying minerals feasible. This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the ore is crushed to a grain size of 0.2 mm at most, and is separated in a magnetic separator operating with a strong magnetic field, if desired after removal of the strongly magnetic fragments of grinding bodies by means of a magnetic separator operating with a weak magnetic field, and prior to separation by flotation, which may also be applied if desired.

Abstract: An improved method for separating minute, weakly magnetically susceptible particles from an aqueous clay-water slurry containing said particles in minor concentration with substantially non-magnetic minute mineral particles. In accordance with the improvement, the effects of subjecting said particles to separation in a magnetic field, are augmented by subjecting the slurry to a preliminary treatment which mechanically works the dispersed phase of the slurry as to effect release of the contaminant particles. Such working may, for example, be provided by subjecting the slurry, preferably at high solids content, to mechanical shear, to high velocity impact, or to kneading.

Abstract: A mobile installation for the treatment of household refuse comprises an elongated vehicle having a centrally located water tank into which the refuse is dumped. Heavier components which settle to the bottom of the tank are transported by an endless conveyor from one end of the tank to a magnetic separator which removes magnetic metal. Other heavy components drop into a crusher and the crushed material is mixed with additives such as cement or coal dust and compressed in a press. Lighter components are removed from the opposite end of the tank by an upwardly inclined screw conveyor which squeezes out much of the water. The lighter components are then mixed with additives such as cement and compressed by an extruder press.

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 process for the metallurgical treatment of pyroxenite-type ore, which comprises comminuting the ore to a particle size range of between about 40 and 600 micron, or alternatively between about 40 to 1000 micron, and thereafter subjecting the comminuted ore to dry HIMS to recover a non-attracted apatite concentrate from weakly attracted silicate minerals contained in the pyroxenite ore. Another aspect of the invention relates to the recovery of phlogopite and/or vermiculite from more weakly attracted diopside and non-attracted apatite by dry HIMS. A further aspect of the invention relates to particle size fractionation by pneumatic classification followed by dry HIMS, electrostatic separation and dry HIMS, and electrostatic separation alone, applied respectively to fine, medium, and coarse particle size fractions respectively to recover apatite from silicate minerals contained in pyroxenite ore.

Abstract: Raw and uncomminuted refuse is introduced through an entrance port into a substantially closed chamber as a horizontally flowing stream so that the refuse drops in the chamber along a path. A current of air is circulated in a closed circuit through the chamber and is directed in the chamber generally perpendicular to the path of the falling refuse and is inspired in the chamber through a sieve oriented substantially perpendicular to the current in the chamber. A minor portion of the air is withdrawn from the circuit, filtered, and released to the atmosphere. This withdrawn portion is replaced in the circuit by drawing air into the chamber substantially only through the entrance port so that slight subatmosphere pressure is created in the chamber to prevent the generation of unwanted dust or smell.

Abstract: Organic pollutant spills on aquatic bodies may be collected by a method comprising distributing a plurality of buoyant magnetically susceptible, oleophillic, hydrophobic, resilient sorbent particles on the surface of the pollutant, allowing the sorbent to attract and bind the pollutant, magnetically collecting the pollutant-bound sorbent particles, compressing the pollutant-bound sorbent particles to expel the pollutant to a pollutant sump, allowing the compressed sorbent particles to recover from compression, and redistributing the sorbent particles on the surface of the remaining pollutant.

Abstract: A method for magnetically separating titaniferous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed and ferrimagnetic particles are thereupon spontaneously coflocculated with the titaniferous discolorants by seeding the slurry with a system of said particles. The system includes predominantly sub-micron size particles, and the particles further, have an isoelectric point in relation to that of the titaniferous discolorants to enable the spontaneous coflocculation. The slurry is thereupon passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, to separate the coflocculated particles and discolorants at the matrix.

Abstract: A method for separating a metallic mineral from an ore containing same. An aqueous dispersed slurry of the ore is formed, and the slurry is mixed with a system of transiently suspended ferrimagnetic particles of predominantly colloidal size. The particles are further characterized by an isoelectric point in relation to the slurried mineral sought to be separated, such that the particles spontaneously co-flocculate with the mineral to seed same. The resultant seeded slurry is passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, which separates the seeded mineral at the matrix.

Abstract: A method for magnetically beneficiating an ore by removing therefrom undesired metallic minerals of inherently low magnetic attractability. An aqueous dispersed slurry of the ore is formed, and the slurry is mixed with a system of transiently suspended ferrimagnetic particles of predominantly colloidal size. The particles are further characterized by an isoelectric point in relation to the mineral sought to be removed, such that the particles spontaneously co-flocculate with the mineral to seed same. The resultant seeded slurry is passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, which separates the seeded mineral at the matrix, with the purified ore emerging from the matrix being recovered as product. This beneficiated product, i.e. now relatively free of the undesired species, can then (as appropriate) be further processed.

Abstract: Polymeric functional microspheres containing metal or metal compounds are formed by addition polymerization of a covalently bondable olefinic monomer such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate in the presence of finely divided metal or metal oxide particles, such as iron, gold, platinum or magnetite, which are embedded in the resulting microspheres. The microspheres can be covalently bonded to chemotherapeutic agents, antibodies, or other proteins providing a means for labeling or separating labeled cells. Labeled cells or microspheres can be concentrated at a specific body location such as in the vicinity of a malignant tumor by applying a magnetic field to the location and then introducing the magnetically attractable microspheres or cells into the circulatory system of the subject. Labeled cells can be separated from a cell mixture by applying a predetermined magnetic field to a tube in which the mixture is flowing.

Abstract: A method used in conjunction with prospecting or mineral exploration of sedimentary deposits containing a minute amount of an economic mineral is described. The method is applied to a bulk sample of a deposit and generally involves the steps of washing and wet sieving the sample to produce two or more size fractions, drying the size fraction, separating at least one size fraction into at least two specific gravity fractions and, usually, magnetically separating at least one specific gravity fraction for the purpose of obtaining economic mineral concentration in at least one fraction of such sample. For specific environments where unstable sulphide conditions exist, an acid leach step may be included following specific gravity separation either to a specific gravity fraction or to a fraction resulting from magnetic separation after specific gravity separation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for scavenging iron from tailings produced by the flotation beneficiation of iron ore. This process includes the step of scavenging the flotation tailings using wet high-intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS). There is also disclosed a process for increasing the recovery of iron ore in a flotation beneficiation process. This iron ore recovery process includes the steps of feeding the magnetic concentrate produced by the scavenging process to a flotation system and then carrying out an additional flotation step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recovering magnetite from fly ash. Fly ash containing magnetite is made into a slurry having 5% to 10% solids by weight and the slurry is then concentrated in a settling tank to a slurry having approximately 20% solids by weight. The concentrated slurry is delivered to a magnetic separator where the magnetite is separated from the remainder of the fly ash. The magnetite is then crushed in a pulverizer to a size so that 95% of the crushed magnetite will pass through a 325 mesh sieve. The crushed magnetite is then delivered to a second magnetite separator which is weaker than the first magnetic separator to separate the crushed magnetite from any impurities. The purified crushed magnetite is then dried and stored.

Abstract: A process for magnetically separating non-magnetic material from a mixture by combining the mixture with a magnetizing solution containing the salt of a magnetic element. The magnetic atoms attach to available sites on the molecules of the non-magnetic material so as to develop in that material a positive susceptibility. Thus the material is responsive to the influence of a magnetic field to move the material to a region where it can be analyzed or recovered. Materials with low positive or negative susceptibilities are separated by suspending them in a magnetic salt solution which when subjected to the attraction of a magnetic field develops a differential buoyancy force, pushing the diamagnetic or weak paramagnetic material strongly away from the magnet. Disclosed are solutions of ferric chloride, manganese chloride, erbium chloride, dysprosium chloride, terbium chloride, and holmium chloride.

Abstract: In a dense medium separation process a product of a separation step containing separated material and magnetic dense medium particles is passed through a sieve bend and the undersize only is treated for the magnetic recovery of the dense medium particles.

Abstract: The method of concentrating magnetic ore consists of forcing a fluid medium to flow along guides having curved and rectilinear portions; and directing the flow by a pulsating magnetic flux, so that the heavy magnetic particles are forced towards the outer side of the guides. Less heavy particles of the nonmagnetic fraction are washed away by the flow of a fluid medium. In the curved portions of the guides, the magnetic flux coincides in direction with the centrifugal force; in the rectilinear portions of the guides, there is no centrifugal force and the magnetic flux is directed at right angles to the flow of the ore to be concentrated. The magnetic centrifugal separator includes and air-tight housing having curved portions alternating with rectilinear portions. Sources of magnetic flux are located on these portions of the housing. Means are provided to cause the magnetic flux to pulsate.

Abstract: A process for separating relatively fine solid particles differing in size and specific gravity by the use of a heavy medium which includes magnetizable particles where a mixture containing the fine particles to be recovered and the heavy medium are fed under pressure to a specific gravity separating cyclone which divides the mixture into a relatively fine specifically light fraction from which the magnetizable particles of the heavy medium are subsequently removed for re-use in the system while the diluted flow of the fine specifically light particles to be recovered is fed to a thickening cyclone which separates the bulk of the particles from the carrying liquid; the fine particles are then recovered from a filter screen while a portion of the liquid is further used in the process to facilitate recovery of the magnetic particles from the specifically heavy fraction derived from the cyclone.

Abstract: A method and a device for recovering the various materials of a composite body having a restricted circumference as compared with its length, for example, cables; the object of the invention is to provide a possibility of recovering separately the constituents, particularly the metals, so that these metals maintain a high degree of purity and their original properties; the method is characterized by cutting the composite body along at least one transverse plane and at least one longitudinal plane and by subsequently sorting out the portions of materials reduced in size and separated from one another by the cutting operation; the device is characterized by a clipping apparatus for shortening the body into portions, by a splitting apparatus for cutting through each shortened portion at least along the longitudinal plane and by a sorting system, in which a degreasing section may be provided between the clipping section and the sorting section.

Abstract: A method for recovering magnetic dense medium particles from a suspension containing these particles and other less dense particles includes the steps of subjecting the suspension to at least a single stage high relative density separation to form a first fraction containing substantially only dense medium particles and a second fraction containing the bulk of the other particles and some dense medium particles, and subjecting the second fraction to a magnetic separation for recovery of the remaining dense medium particles. Each stage of the high relative density separation is effected in a cyclone. The suspension may be the overflow or the underflow from a dense medium process for the beneficiation of coal fines.

Abstract: A high capacity materials separation apparatus including a conductive metals segregator in the form of a magnetic ramp for receiving commingled materials from an air classifier, the air classifier comprising means for separating materials into heavy and light fractions, and means for maintaining positive air pressure within the classifier for propelling the nonmagnetic heavy fractions at accelerated velocity from the classifier so as to achieve high capacity separation of conductive materials at the ramp.

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: A new simplified process is described for producing pharmaceutical barium sulphate in which the barium sulphate does not require dissolution for purification.

Abstract: A process for the concentration of hydrated aluminum oxide minerals from raw materials by flotation alone or in combination with magnetic separation using a series of conditioning steps prior to flotation involving dispersion, precipitation and flocculation.

Abstract: Particulate mixtures of non-magnetic or paramagnetic materials are separated by selectively coating the surfaces of a component or components of the mixture with a magnetic fluid. Thereafter, the particulate mixture is subjected to a magnetic separation yielding a magnetic fluid-coated fraction and a non-magnetic fraction. The process is especially useful in mineral beneficiation wherein a mineral concentrate is recovered from its ore.

Abstract: A unique, high-grade magnetite obtained from fly ash, the use thereof in the cleaning of coal, and low iron content fly ash.