Abstract: Aqueous slurries of fine coal are dewatered by a process which comprises mixing an organopolysiloxane with the slurry, separating the slurry to recover the fine coal and further drying the fine coal, if desired. The use of water-soluble organopolysiloxanes or water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxanes provides improved separating and/or improved drying of fine coal in the dewatering process that is disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of fine coal are dewatered by a process which comprises mixing a mixture of a water-soluble organopolysiloxane and a water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxane with the slurry, separating the slurry to recover the fine coal and further drying the fine coal, if desired. The use of a mixture of a water-soluble organopolysiloxane and a water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxane unexpectedly provides improved separating and/or improved drying of fine coal compared to a dewatering process that uses only one of the organopolysiloxanes.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur dioxide from flue gas is disclosed which utilizes, as a scrubber sludge dewatering aid, polyethylene oxide or derivative thereof.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## and addition polymers thereof where m is an integer from 2 to about 10, x--is chlorine, hydroxy, carboxy or--AC--R).dbd.CH.sub.2--R is hydrogen or methyl, --R' is an ethylene or propylene group and--AC--R).dbd.CH.sub.2is one of ##STR2## These compounds and their addition polymers form complexes with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts and permit the concentration of aqueous solutions of said salts. For example, a compound of the formula ##STR3## is polymerized with an azobis(isobutyronitrile) catalyst to form addition polymers of the repeating unit ##STR4## When cross-linked, rendering it water-insoluble, such an addition polymer concentrates an aqueous solution of sodium chloride when contacted with same at about 0.degree. C.

Abstract: The rate of filtration of a coal liquid slurry is increased by adding an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and an alcohol containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms to the slurry prior to filtration or by adding the alcohol to the slurry and washing a precoat cake of filter aid with an oil solution of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer prior to filtration. Although the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and the alcohol each provides a filter rate improving effect when used alone, a synergistic improvement in filtration rate is achieved by their combined use.

Abstract: The rate of filtration of a coal liquid slurry is increased by adding ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer to the slurry prior to filtration or by washing a precoat cake of filter aid with an oil solution of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer prior to filtration.