Abstract: Mineral values, particularly uranium, are recovered from mineral containing ore by separating the ore into a coarse fraction and a fines fraction, adding a diluent solid material, such as a portion of barren coarse fraction to the fines fraction and leaching the thus diluted fines fraction with a leach solution. The coarse fraction is separately leached, preferably under mild conditions of temperature and leach solution concentration. In another aspect, the total ore is leached, preferably under mild conditions, the thus leached ore is separated into a coarse fraction and a fines fraction, the fines fraction is again leached and at least a part of the leached fines fraction from the second leach step is recycled to the first leach step.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for mechanically removing a sulphur containing layer from lumped lime, wherein the lumped lime is accelerated from a bottom member by a mechanical impulse and projected from the bottom member against a processing surface having profiles provided over partial sections thereof to remove the sulphur containing layer, when the lumped lime returns to the bottom member and the process is repeated along a conveying path for the lumped lime for a determined length of time, or for as long as it takes to achieve the desired removal of the sulphur containing layer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and a method for recovering salvageable ferrous and non-ferrous materials from incinerated waste materials including friable, carbonaceous incineration byproducts such as ash and associated ferrous and non-ferrous metal components. The system includes at least one crushing means for selectively comminuting friable material comprised of a rotating roll having at least one protrusion, preferably a weld extending transversely to the direction of rotation of roll, on its exterior cylindrical surfaces in spaced relation to a backing plate. The backing plate is urged toward the roll by a bias means exerted a preferably adjustable pressure sufficient to comminute the friable carbonaceous material to a desired size, and insufficient so as to permit the backing plate to retract and allow passage of ferrous and non-ferrous components in the waste material through the crushing means substantially uncomminuted.

Abstract: High purity mucilage from Plantago psyllium seeds may be obtained by grinding the integral Plantago psyllium seeds by subjecting the same to pure impact grinding action without any rubbing, with an impact speed of from approximately 30 to approximately 40 meters per second and with a flow rate of the integral seed suitable to maintain the individual seeds spaced so that the impact strength is maintained constant for each seed, whereby the husk is removed from the core of the seed without fracturing said cores, in order to avoid contamination of said husk with particles of the core of the seeds.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for breaking into parts of a certain size and screening a bulk material, in which the bulk material is fed onto a flat grid (49) made to vibrate, the type and intensity of this vibration being chosen in a manner such that the large lumps of at least one type of material which do not pass directly through the openings in the grid are broken on the said grid, as a result of the said vibration movement, into fragments having a size which permits these fragments to pass through the openings in the grid. Preferably the material passing through the grid is collected on at least one screen (58, 59, 60) which is made to vibrate together with the grid and the material moving over this screen which has not fallen through is conveyed through a reduction device at the discharge of the screen, which device is formed by at least one breaker roller (64) having a double action and which can be made to rotate.

Abstract: This process for fractionating solid asphalts is operable under low temperature and pressure conditions.The process consists of treating a suspension of asphalt powder in a surfactant-containing aqueous phase by means of a hydrocarbon solvent immiscible with water and of separating:an hydrocarbon phase containing asphalt of softening point lower than that of the initial asphalt, andan aqueous phase wherein is suspended asphalt of softening point higher than that of the initial asphalt.

Abstract: A process for purifying crude silicon carbide lumps from an Acheson furnace comprising agitating the lumps in a drum having a cylindrical wall, its axis substantially horizontal and having openings of controlled size, smaller than said crude lumps, in said cylindrical wall, separating the particles passing through said controlled size openings according to size and recirculating oversize particles back to said rotating drum and finally recovering product retained in said drum.

Abstract: According to the invention, after having previously crushed and ground a starting material containing silicon carbide, the latter is treated by separation in a dense medium, such as one comprising ferrosilicon or a suspension of magnetite in water. There is obtained a concentrate of silicon carbide without having to use the step of manual sorting.

Abstract: A treating process for the separation of coated nuclear fuel particles from a graphitic matrix in which the nuclear fuel particles are embedded, which is employed in an installation for the conditioning of graphitic fuel elements of high-temperature nuclear reactors. The graphite which encompasses the nuclear fuel particles is conducted away through the action of a brush which isolates the nuclear fuel particles together with their coatings or the nuclear particles themselves, and wherein the nuclear fuel particles which are contained in the brushed product are then separated from the comminuted graphite. The nuclear fuel particles are worked out of the graphitic matrix through the action of the bristles of the brush which conduct the graphite away, but in which the coated nuclear fuel particles when they are contained within hard coatings or the nuclear fuel particles themselves, remain preserved.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously grinding coal and dolomite to a size suitable for fluid bed combustors in which the grinding mill is modified to allow for the formation in the mill of a bed of the mixed coal and dolomite which reduces the tendency of dolomite to fracture and produce excess of fine particles thereby optimizing the grinding conditions for both coal and dolomite, and a method of reducing coal and dolomite simultaneously in a common mill and in predetermined proportions for optimum reduction of each material.

Abstract: The decoring apparatus (1) consists of a portal-shaped support frame (2), at each of the vertical posts (4) and supports (5) on which a bracket (7) is provided. From each of these, via a swinging arm (9), a carrying unit (11) is suspended which is able to swing freely like a pendulum. Said carrying unit has two longitudinal arms (14,15) on which two vibrators (23) and two buffer bars (20) or an impact plate (19), as the case may be, are provided, whereby between the latter there is a casting receiving opening (16), and on the rear side of which several support bars (17) are provided. A casting (a) is loosely set into the receiving opening (16), and the carrying unit (11) is put into motion by vibrators (23). Since said vibrations induce the loose casting (a) to vibrate as well, the latter is quickly and freely moved back and forth between the impact plate (19) and the buffer bars (20) within a defined clearance (c), whereby the casting knocks against them in turn.

Abstract: Method for separating a mixture of bituminous coal and a lower rank coal such as subbituminous, lignite, and mixtures thereof, comprising contacting the coal mixture with an effective amount of an aqueous chemical comminuting solution for a sufficient time to selectively comminute a substantial portion of one of the ranks of coal in the mixture. Thereafter, the comminuted coal and noncomminuted coal of different rank is separated from the chemical comminuting solution. The smaller comminuted coal particles of one rank are then separated from the larger noncomminuted coal of the other rank by screening. Substantially anhydrous methanol or an aqueous methanol solution is used to selectively comminute the bituminous rank coal whereas an aqueous alkaline solution, preferably aqueous sodium hydroxide, is used to selectively comminute the lower rank coal.

Abstract: A comminuting apparatus operating on a dual mass system is designed to be compact and efficient. The apparatus comprises a frame (1, 2, 3; 31; 40) mounted on first springs (8) on a substrate (7). A processing vessel (4) is mounted on the frame and is connected thereto by second springs (6, 51). A motor (17) drives an imbalanced drive shaft (9) to cause vibration.

Abstract: A process for classifying a crystal mixture or for concentrating rocks or mixed crystals in particle form by capturing the particles in a gas flow for the purpose of separating particles of different size and weight by means of natural or artificial gravity is disclosed. The particles are heated to a temperature so high that a difference sufficient for separation is obtained in volume or weight between different particles. For spodumene, quartz and feldspar this temperature is about 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: In a process of fragmenting and segregating shredded metallic components fabricated from different aluminum alloys in which a fragmented component is provided, a method of removing fines for purposes of enhancing segregation of the alloys, the method comprising the steps of providing a feedstock comprised of said metallic components, said alloys having different incipient melting temperatures, the feedstock is shredded and thereafter screened to remove fines therefrom having at least sizes in a size range of the fragment component. The feedstock is heated to effect incipient melting of the component having the lowest incipient melting temperature and agitated sufficiently to cause the component having the lowest incipient melting temperature to fragment. The fragmented components are segregated from the unfragmented feedstock.

Abstract: Mine-run lignite having an unsalably high content of ash-producing clay is treated selectively to shatter the more friable portions; the effluent from the shattering operation is classified by size; at least the classification containing the smallest particles is discarded; and particles of size larger than those discarded are combined to produce a mixture of lower ash producing clay content. Preferably, the classified effluent is separated into a first portion containing the larger, salable particles; a second portion containing medium-size particles which contains too much clay to be readily salable with the medium-size particle mixture subjected to further treatment such as jigging or heavy media separation to yield a product of clay content that is salable; and a third portion of smaller size particles which is discarded.

Abstract: Particulate materials such as catalyst or catalyst substrate are slurried and exposed to ultrasonic energy in a rapid attrition treatment.

Abstract: A method for chopping olives comprises feeding olives into an abrading zone in a pulper having at least one rotatable brush which clears a screen extending around the periphery of the abrading zone. The brush is rotated to abrade the olive meat between the brush, the screen, and the pits from the olives. The product passing through the screen is collected and has a uniform character and is essentially pit free. The pit caps are separated from the olive pits by this process and shredded through the screen.

Abstract: Sanitary articles formed of cellulose flock and non-flock carriers or covers are shredded by rotating entrainers, which are arranged in an enclosed housing. The cellulose flock thus separated is removed from the housing under suction through a sieve which only allow the cellulose flock through. The removal is effected before the covers have been shredded to such an extent that they pass through the sieve. The shredded cover material is then removed separately.

Abstract: A rotatable furnace for treatment of metallic scrap is fed metallic scrap comprising at least two metallic components having different incipient melting temperatures. The furnace is heated to a temperature at least equal to the lowest incipient melting temperature of the metallic components but less than the incipient melting temperatures of other components in the scrap while rotating the furnace to agitate the scrap. The combination of heating to the incipient melting temperature and agitating the scrap serves to fragment the metallic component having the lowest incipent melting temperature. The scrap is then removed from the furnace, and the scrap is segregated by particle size. Fines representing dirt and other impurities may also be separated therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming foundry sand from contaminated foundry sand wherein ferromagnetic contaminants are first removed in a magnetic separating zone, and the remaining contaminated sand is thermally treated at a temperature sufficiently high to cause embrittlement of clay constituents among the remaining contaminants, and finally the thermally treated material is comminuted, preferably in a counterflow impact jet mill to recover a reclaimed foundry sand substantially free from contaminants.

Abstract: A method of detaching and segregating metallic components secured to metallic articles is disclosed. The segregation is made in accordance with the alloy composition of the components. The method comprises the steps of providing articles having at least two components thereon comprised of different aluminum alloys and heating the articles to a temperature sufficiently high to initiate incipient melting of the component having the lowest incipient melting temperature. While at the lowest incipient melting temperature of the aluminum alloy component, the articles are subjected to agitation sufficient to cause the aluminum alloy component having the lowest incipient melting temperature to fracture and detach itself from the article. Thereafter, the detached components are segregated from the remaining articles and recovered.

Abstract: Tendency of smooth particles of a size to pneumatically fluidizing from plugging metal transfer conduits is overcome by changing the geometry a portion, at least 10 weight percent of the particles to jagged, rough or sharp particles, as by grinding and blending the changed geometry particles with the remaining smooth particles.

Abstract: Metallized plastic such as chrome plated plastic is processed to separate metal from plastic and especially to recover reusable, essentially metal-free plastic. Metallized plastic is comminuted, as necessary, to suitably sized pieces which then are exposed to cryogenic temperature and impacted in a rotary mill to form a mixture of plastic and metal particles. Subsequently most of the metal particles are removed from the mixture by effecting particle size and magnetic separation steps. Oversized particles can be recycled for further processing. The recovered plastic is then extruded, under conditions which render it molten, through one or more screens.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating a relatively soft component from a relatively hard component of mineral ore and then comminuting the softer component. The separation is performed by impact crushing the ore to reduce the softer component to particulate material of a smaller dimension than that of the harder component after which the components are separated by screening. The comminution is performed by further impact crushing the softer component to further reduce same and separating sufficiently small particles. Relatively large particles are also removed and the remainder of the softer component is recycled through the comminution process. The method is primarily applicable to the separation of chert from gypsum and comminuting the gypsum in the processing of gypsum ore.

Abstract: A process of upgrading garnieritic ores, oxidized nickelifer ores of lateritic origin which includes subjecting the ore to controlled attrition and classifying particles so formed according to their size, those having a dimension smaller than a predetermined value being recovered.

Abstract: Apparatus operable to process waste material from the usual relevant sources by breaking down such material into components so that as much of the substantially uncontaminated aluminum may be segregated for purposes of recycling, and a method for recovery of the aluminum in waste material in which the method includes a step of extracting the aluminum from the waste material by the application of magnetism.

Abstract: Procedure for mechanically raising the wood content of wood chips (1), or for mechanically purifying the wood chips of bark and greenstuff matter and of other fines such as sand, by separation sifting. Prior to the separation sifting (5) the bark and greenstuff matter are detached from the wood chips by grinding (3).

Abstract: A method of separating wrought and cast aluminum from a scrap mixture containing the two is disclosed. In this method, the scrap mixture is first heated to a temperature above the solidus temperature of the cast aluminum scrap. At this temperature, the scrap mixture is crushed thereby causing the cast aluminum to fragmentize into small pieces while merely causing flattening of the wrought aluminum. By using an appropriately sized screen, the cast aluminum fragments can then be separated from the wrought aluminum.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering metal from an insulated wire includes a feeding assembly leading to a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly forces the cut wire into a hammer assembly where the cut wire is hammered and separated from the insulation. The insulation is separated from the cut wire by a vacuum device. The cut wire is recovered and packaged for suitable shipment.

Abstract: A process for separating an urban waste mixture of paper and plastic film into its primary components comprising partially triturating the mixture to reduce the paper components to a small particle size ground condition while the plastic film component is generally unchanged and separating the unchanged component from the partially triturated mixture by combing same therefrom.

Abstract: Described is a process for the treatment of certain toner materials, useful in electrophotographic development, which process in one embodiment involves subjecting an electrically conductive toner material to an attrition process, thus causing the removal to a small portion of the surface of the toner while at the same time exposing the underlying inner portion. By preparing toners in accordance with this process the fusing temperature of the toner is lowered by at least 10.degree. F., thereby resulting in better fixing of the toner and higher quality images when such a toner is used as a developer.

Abstract: Chrome plated plastic scrap is chopped into small pieces and then, while subjected to sub-zero temperatures, is centrifugally impacted thereby producing a mixture of particles of chrome and plastic. Most of the chrome particles are removed by subjecting the mixture to a magnetic field. The remaining, mostly plastic particles are classified to obtain usable, predominantly plastic particles within a predetermined size range, those particles exceeding this range being, if desired, recycled for subjection to said centrifugal impacting step. The usable particles are thus reclaimed for reuse, after repelletizing, in extrusion or molding techniques.

Abstract: Irradiated nuclear fuel is separated from the protective metal sheath in which it is enclosed by treating the sheath with an embrittling agent which effects embrittlement of the sheath, breaking up the sheath and separating the nuclear fuel material from the embrittled and broken-up sheath.

Abstract: A method for recovering plastics which is easy in working and effective in separation of materials. The method comprises the steps of: heating multilayer plastic articles, immediately crushing the heated plastic articles by means of shearing, impact or tearing force and peeling the layers of the plastic articles into small pieces of respective component layer materials, and separating the crushed and peeled pieces of materials into the respective component layer materials, thereby recovering the component layer materials in separated state.

Abstract: A recyclable blow molded, injection blow molded or injection molded plastic container having laminated walls that include a frangible load-bearing lamina and a non-frangible fluid-barrier lamina which can be easily separated from each other in a crushing operation and recycled to make another container.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovering of free metal entrained in dross or skimmings obtained from melts of aluminum and aluminum based alloys wherein the dross has been partially prepared by prior art preparation processes. The invention is directed to the cleaning and preparation of the dross by the more effective removal of substantial portions of the oxide coatings on the dross. This results in the recovery of a significantly higher proportion of the free metal contained in the dross than is recovered using prior art cleaning and recovery processes. The dross, as partially processed by prior art methods, is sequentially fed through selected mechanical rolling and milling stages so as to separate aluminum oxide dust and aluminum concentrates from one another. The aluminum concentrates may be utilized in conventional furnace recovery methods to produce aluminum ingot or may be further processed through selected stages to produce high quality aluminum pellets.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for applying forces to a waste paper mixture programmed to procure progressive fragmentation of the respective components of the mixture; the method including the step of harvesting the resulting paper fragments at intervals when fragmentation of one component is virtually completed and fragmentation of the next commences.

Abstract: A method of recovering aluminum metal values and salt cake and recycling or reusing the same in an aluminum refining method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for reclaiming aluminum from aluminum-glass cloth residues in which the glass cloth fibers are coated with aluminum, the glass cloths having been used for the filtering of molten aluminum. The method comprises the steps of: breaking down the residue into small pieces, squeezing each piece of residue between hard surfaces on a pair of rotating cylindrical rolls with sufficient squeezing pressure to extrude the aluminum coating to destroy its integrity and expose the interior glass fibers along substantially the entire length of each piece and segregating the resulting glass fibers from the remaining aluminum pieces by air separation. The recovered aluminum pieces can be then reused in various industrial processes.

Abstract: A high quality olivine foundry sand is produced from olivine-containing rock by wet differential attrition grinding followed by a size separation to remove finely-divided gangue materials. The olivine sand product displays rounded grains, has a low impurity content and produces castings having superior surface quality.

Abstract: Structure is provided for successively decompacting waste, such as garbage and trash, at a metered rate, weighing the decompacted waste at a metered rate and separating the heavier portions of the waste from the remainder thereof, coarse shredding the remaining waste at a metered rate and in a manner to gradually reduce the remaining waste to increasingly smaller shredded material, fine shredding the shredded material at a metered rate, acting upon the fine shredded material at a metered rate to break up and pulverize the pieces of glass therein, subjecting the waste to a wash bath while agitating the waste with jets of air and collecting the particles of glass which are dislodged from the waste in the bath by the action of the air jets, drying the remaining waste and thereafter separating ferrous materials from the remaining waste through the utilization of magnetic lines of flux and subsequently separating particles of aluminum from the remaining waste.

Abstract: Scrap tires containing magnetic components and non-magnetic rubber and cord components are cooled in a cryogenic freezer to the embrittlement temperature, comminuted in a comminution device and passed through a series of screening and density classification operations followed by magnetic material separation and further cryogenic size reduction to produce a product rubber crumb having a particle size of about 1/20 inch or less.

Abstract: In order to disperse a pigmented filtercake, i.e. break up the pigment into fine particles suspended in water, a mixture of filtercake, water and a stabilizer are subjected to ice particles. The mixture of ice particles, filtercake and water are then agitated and the particles of ice act as an abrasive to break up and disperse the pigment. The stabilizer prevents the dispersed particles from re-agglomerating. The process is continuous in that the water is bled off and flowed through an ice flaker where the ice particles are formed preparatory to return to the mixture, all until the dispersion has reached the desired degree.

Abstract: Lead-acid storage battery plates damaged during battery manufacture are placed in a trough having an upward slope. The trough is vibrated causing the non-metallic components of the plates to be shaken free from the metallic components of the plates with the non-metallic components being reduced in size during the vibration process. The non-metallic components of the plates are discharged from the trough as a fine powder through suitable openings in the bottom of the trough while the metallic components climb the trough and are discharged at the upper end of the trough.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the recovery of both cellulosic fibers and plastic material from plastic-coated papers and boards.This material is wet-pulped in water suspension, and the suspension is then discharged into dilution tanks for floating most of the plastic material at the upper region of the suspension, wherefrom the plastic material is mechanically separated by wire-mesh conveyors, and washed in a rotating screen.The fibrous suspension is screened in a rotating screen to eliminate the residual plastic material.

Abstract: Method of producing cement or other material of given fineness and granular structure includes delivering material ground in individual chambers of a tube mill having two adjacent grinding chambers, delivering the ground material from each of the chambers to coarse-grain separator means associated with the chambers, separating a fines-free coarse-grain component in the coarse-grain separator means and returning the coarse-grain component to one of the adjacent chambers, feeding the fines component of the coarse-grain separator means to a fine-grain separator, separating a fine-grain component from a coarse-grain component in the fine-grain separator, withdrawing the fine-grain component from the fine-grain separator as end product, and returning the coarse-grain component of the fine-grain separator to the coarse-grain separator means; and plant for carrying out the foregoing method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrubbing particles of sand used in foundry molding is disclosed. The device utilizes a rotating impellor surrounded by a stationary control cage having at least one upwardly positioned opening therein to project sand against a target. The sand rebounds from the target and is continually intercepted and impacted by subsequent grains of sand hurled by the impellor through the control cage opening. The device produces a scrubbing action on the particles by the repeated and continual contact with each to reduce binder buildup from the molding process. A first stage scrubbing of the particles is obtained by causing the particles to be compacted between the rotating impellor and the control cage prior to their being thrown against the target. The sand particles may be recycled through the device any number of times in order to increase the scrubbing effect and further reduce binder buildup.

Abstract: Old rubber tires from cars and trucks are first cut up by a coarse pregrinder into pieces of about 100 to 200 millimeter size. These cuttings are then comminuted in successive stages down to particle sizes of about 5 millimeters. For that purpose they are passed through grinding mills with fluted rollers which deform the particles so as to rupture and expose their textile components. The comminuted particles produced in the various stages are screened to separate metal containing from metal free particles. In subsequent screening and comminuting stages the metal free particles are further reduced to separate masses of graded rubber flour substantially free of metallic and fibrous tire components.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovering of free metal entrained in dross or skimmings obtained from melts of aluminum and aluminum based alloys wherein the dross zhas been partially prepared by prior art preparation processes. The invention is directed to the cleaning and preparation of the dross by the more effective removal of substantial portions of the oxide coatings on the dross. This results in the recovery of a significantly higher proportion of the free metal contained in the dross than is recovered using prior art cleaning and recovery processes. The dross, as partially processed by prior art methods, is sequentially fed through selected mechanical rolling and milling stages so as to separate aluminum oxide dust and aluminum concentrates from one another. The aluminum concentrates may be utilized in conventional furnace recovery methods to produce aluminum ingot or may be further processed through selected stages to produce high quality aluminum pellets.