Abstract: A process for separating bitumen from tar sands, which comprises: a) agitating a mixture of tar sand with substantially coarse clean sand at ambient or below ambient temperature in the presence of water, so as to mechanically shear bitumen and enhance the detachment of bitumen particles from mineral matter in said tar sand, b) eluting the detached bitumen and fine mineral matter from the coarse sand by an upward flow of water while stirring gently, c) returning the coarse sand to step a) for reuse, and d) subjecting the eluted bitumen and fine mineral matter to froth flotation to separate the bitumen from said fine mineral matter, wherein the flotation is effected without using any reagents.

Abstract: A method for reducing the relative viscosity of a phosphate rock slurry during a grinding process in a phosphoric acid production facility is described. The method includes the steps of adding an effective amount of a sulfonated acrylamide or acrylic acid polymer having a molecular weight of from 500 to 100,000 and being selected from the group consisting of sulfonated polymers of acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers and the copolymerization products of acrylic acid, acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropyl sulfonic acid.

Abstract: Ground calcium carbonate is prepared by a process of grinding a suspension containing calcium carbonate and a water-soluble grinding agent in an aqueous medium while the temperature of the aqueous suspension is kept at or below 60.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for comminuting plastic scrap material wherein the plastic scrap is suspended in water and an antifoam agent is added to the suspension which is then passed through a disc refiner or a Valley beater to comminute the plastic scrap. The antifoam agent is selected from defoamers having an HLB value of from about 0.5 to about 10 and a polypropylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 900 to about 1500. The comminuted plastic scrap is useful as an additive to the core material of a gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement in the quality and quantity of cellulosic fibers recovered in recycling wastepaper contained in waste material packaged in compressed bale form by sufficiently wetting the baled waste material with a liquid that wastepaper cellulosic fibers will soften and swell prior to the waste material being subjected to the recycling pulping operation.

Abstract: The efficiency of grinding of silica-containing solids such as mineral ores is improved by the addition of alkanol amines as a grinding aid. Examples of useful amines include diethanol amine, ethanol amine, triethanol amine and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for sterilizing biological waste such as medical waste and a biomass fuel product from sterilized waste are disclosed. The biological waste preferably includes waste capable of sorbing substantial amounts of a liquid fuel having a boiling temperature higher than about 240.degree. F. The waste is shredded and then introduced into a container holding the liquid fuel, which is maintained at atmospheric pressure at a temperature between about 240.degree. F. and the boiling temperature of the liquid fuel. The shredded waste is immersed in the liquid fuel for a time sufficient to effect sterilization of the shredded waste. Thereafter, the sterilized shredded waste is removed from the container, and ground to either make it pumpable or increase its pumpability, and to further destroy the physical shape of the waste as to make it unrecognizable. The ground waste is then pumped to a desired location. The waste with sorbed liquid fuel is atomizable and usable as a fuel for many applications.

Abstract: A reactive metal such as zirconium, hafnium, and titanium is subjected to comminution in a closed chamber containing a non-reactive gas modified by the addition of an amount of a vaporized liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method of reducing the particle size of solid particles is applicable to the production of very fine particles of a wide variety of solids, including alumina hydrate, and comprises milling a liquid suspension of solid particles in an agitated media mill, pumping the milled suspension through a particle size classification device to separate the slurry into a coarse fraction and a fine fraction, the particles of the coarse fraction having a greater median particle size than the particles of the fine fraction, recycling the coarse fraction from the particle size classification device to the input of the mill, and recycling the fine fraction by pumping it to the classification device, wherein recycling of both coarse and fine fractions are continued until solid particles of the desired reduced particle size are produced. Preferably a single classification device and a single mill can be used, and particles having a median particle size of 0.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for purifying a calcium carbonate-containing mineral which process comprises the following steps:a) mixing the calcium carbonate-containing mineral with water and a dispersing agent to form a suspension containing from 60% to 80% by weight of the dry mineral;b) comminuting the suspension of calcium carbonate-containing mineral prepared in step a) to give a product containing not more than 5% by weight of particles which are retained on a sieve having a nominal aperture of 53 microns and not more than 50% by weight of particles which are smaller than 2 microns e.s.d.

Abstract: A method for milling ceramic powder and making a sintered body from the powder produced by such method are disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes wet-milling at least one ceramic powder by a media agitating mill wherein the volume of liquid is not more than 4 times the net-volume of the ceramic powder, a dispersing agent is added and milling is carried out using grinding media of not larger than 1 mm in diameter. A media agitating mill used for the above method is provided which includes a milling chamber, grinding media and an agitator wherein the peripheral speed of the agitator is at least 10 m/s, the grinding media having a diameter of not larger than 1 mm and the packing fraction of the grinding media is 65-85% by volume.

Abstract: A process of grinding ceramic materials such as zirconia comprises grinding in an agitated media-type mill in the presence of a dispersant, the process being characterized in that the grinding media has a particle size of from 0.8 3.0 mm, and in that the quantity of media present is such that the average stand-off distance between adjacent media particles is from 30-90 um.The preferred apparatus is an attrition mill with an additional holding tank which allows recycling.The ceramic powders thus produced are fine with an unusually narrow particle size distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating waste material requiring use of ground water for processing in a wet mill a drum separator in combination with purification and recycling, routing recycled water to a biomonitoring fish pond and use of a system wash water for washing for processing in a wet mill sanitizing of refuse collection vehicles. The groundwater is obtained from an aquifer underlying and containing leachate from a landfill, thereby solving environment problems.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for the continuous granulation of high-density detergent granules of a predetermined size from a detergent powder, with the granulation apparatus comprising a granulation chamber, a feeding port located at the top of the granulation chamber, a first discharging port located at the bottom of the granulation chamber including valve means for opening and closing the port, a second discharging port located at the side wall of the granulation chamber, one or more horizontally rotating stirring blades attached to a rotational shaft positioned at the bottom of the granulation chamber which stir and mix the detergent powder, and one or more vertically rotating grinding blades located above the one or more stirring blades and attached to a rotational shaft positioned at the side wall of the granulation chamber which grind and classify coarse detergent particles; and the process comprising the steps of continuously feeding a detergent powder into the granulation chamber, granulatin

Abstract: A process for the production of a coal-water mixture, which comprises dry-pulverizing coal under supply of hot air to form pulverized coal in which the proportion of particles having a particle size smaller than 200 .mu.m is at least 90%, in which the proportion of particles having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m is 10 to 60%, and making the pulverized coal and the hot air sucked in a mixed-air water jet stream.

Abstract: A method of reducing the particle size of solid particles is applicable to the production of very fine particles of a wide variety of solids, including alumina hydrate, and comprises milling a liquid suspension of solid particles in an agitated media mill, pumping the milled suspension through a particle size classification device to separate the slurry into a coarse fraction and a fine fraction, the particles of the coarse fraction having a greater median particle size than the particles of the fine fraction, recycling the coarse fraction from the particle size classification device to the input of the mill, and recyling the fine fraction by pumping it to the classification device, wherein recycling of both coarse and fine fractions are continued until solid particles of the desired reduced particle size are produced. Preferably a single classification device and a single mill can be used, and particles having a median particle size of 0.

Abstract: A reactive metal such as zirconium, hafnium, and titanium is subjected to comminution in a closed chamber containing a non-reactive gas modified by the addition of preferably somewhat less than one volume percent of water vapor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for treating a clay mineral thereby to change its rheological properties when in aqueous suspension such that the fluidity of the aqueous suspension at a given temperature and percentage by weight of completely deflocculated clay mineral solids in the suspension is increased, which process comprises the steps of mixing with the clay mineral in a plastic state a minor proportion by weight of a water-soluble organic compound having a plurality of basic groups and a number average molecular weight not greater than 1000, and subsequently or simultaneously subjecting the mixture to mechanical working under conditions such that from 25 to 1000 KJ of energy per Kg of dry clay mineral are dissipated in the mixture.

Abstract: A process for micronizing solid matters in a jet mill, wherein the solid matters are brought into the jet mill across an injector and wherein the micronization takes place, if necessary, in the presence of milling aids and/or dispersing agents, wherein the solid matters are forcibly supplied to the injector and an apparatus for carrying out the process, the apparatus comprising a dosing means, a forcible entry means, and injector and a jet mill.

Abstract: A method of converting fine particle size alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, into a free-flowing granular form with relatively high bulk density, without sintering, grinding, or briquetting, is disclosed. It involves the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resultant suspension at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C., which causes it to shrink, thereby increasing its bulk density by at least about 5%, preferably at least 10 or 20 percent.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing process using a granular, free-flowing form of alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate has a relatively high bulk density and is made without sintering, grinding, or briquetting. The carbonate is prepared from a fine particle size material by the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resulting suspension, at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example, by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing fine copper flakes which comprises media milling copper powder particles with one or more organic surfactants in a non-polar organic medium to comminute the copper particles and produce intermediate flakes having a thickness of less than about 3 micrometers, removing the major portion of the organic medium and the organic surfactants from the intermediate flakes to produce dried intermediate flakes, and fluid energy milling the intermediate flakes to reduce the diameter of the dried intermediate flakes and produce flakes having a diameter of no greater than about 10 micrometers in diameter.

Abstract: A process for micronizing solid matters in a jet mill, wherein the solid matters are brought into the jet mill across an injector and wherein the micronization takes place, if necessary, in the presence of milling aids and/or dispersing agents, wherein the solid matters are forcibly supplied to the injector and an apparatus for carrying out the process, the apparatus comprising a dosing means, a forcible entry means, and injector and a jet mill.

Abstract: Paper making pulp stock being processed in a pulper is caused to flow through an auxiliary passageway from the main body of the pulper tub and back to the pulper tub at the downstream end of the passageway, propelled solely by the fluid dynamics of the vortical circulation in the pulper. The stock is first caused to flow through a diverging section of the passageway, whereby its velocity along the passageway is caused to decelerate, thence to a section of relatively large cross-section, where the velocity of the stock is low, and gravity classification takes place, and thence to a converging section of the passageway where its velocity is caused to accelerate before re-entering the main pulper tub.

Abstract: A process for producing a coal-water slurry of low viscosity and high coal concentration with a low specific energy and a good efficiency is provided, which process comprises wet-grinding coal by means of a wet vertical ring-roll mill in the presence or absence of a surfactant and recycling a part of the coal ground by the mill, as it is, without classifying it, to the mill through a splitter.

Abstract: A process for intensifying the grinding of coal by, prior to grinding, adjusting the water content of the coal to a value 0.05-2.5% by weight greater than the water content of the coal in an air-dry state.

Abstract: Methods of recovering agglomerated particles of a carbonaceous constituent such as coal from a composite of that constituent and mineral matter. An additive is incorporated into a slurry of the composite to control the agglomeration time and/or to insure that the carbonaceous particles will agglomerate. Appropriate additives are:Naturally occurring hydrocarbonaceous substances such as road asphalts, Gilsonite, pentane extracts of coals, tar sands oils, coal tars, and alcohols having six or more carbon atomsCastor oilIsopropyl etherHydrolized linseed oil2-Ethylhexyl acetateIonic dispersants such as ammonium salts of lignosulfonatesNonionic dispersants such as dextrinsA compound having the formula R--O--R, R.sub.2 --CO, R--COOH, or R--COOR where R is an aliphatic moiety having at least six carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the manufacture of sinterable silicon carbide and/or boron carbide powders having a maximum particle size of 1 .mu.m and finer. The process is carried out by wet grinding in aqueous suspension using mills charged with a grinding medium and with the addition of antioxidants in the presence of surfactants and subsequent wet chemical treatment with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The wet grinding can be carried out, for example, with the addition of hydroquinone in the presence of quaternary ammonium salts and the wet chemical treatment with a 5-50% by weight aqueous potassium hydroxide solution under normal pressure at temperatures in the range of from room temperature to the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture or under elevated pressure at temperatures of up to 300.degree. C.

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: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing a free flowing coal suspension high in solids content. The coal is ground in at least two stages utilizing a mill having a calibrating effect in one stage and a mill without calibrating effect in another stage and adding a sub-quantity of viscosity reducing additive to the coal before each grinding. A drying of the coal or reconcentration of the suspension is not required. A roller mill operating on the principle of materials bed comminution is preferred as the non-calibrating mill in the first grinding stage and a rotating drum mill or a vibration grinding mill with rods as grinding bodies is preferred as the calibrating mill.

Abstract: Organoclay materials formed by reacting smectite clays with a quaternary ammonium compound are improved by controlling the pH of the reaction mixture, typically to a value in the range 8 to 10, and preferably 9.0.+-.0.5, and by including in the reaction mixture a further substance, such as urea or sulphamic acid, having an unsubstituted or substituted amino or amido group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotation crusher which treats refuse and seeks to prevent explosions by controlling the volume of steam fed into the crusher to keep the temperature inside a main body of the crusher between about 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. so that the steam content may be regulated to exceed a certain value to keep the oxygen content below an explosion preventive critical value, thereby preventing completely explosions inside the crusher.

Abstract: Hydraulic cements such as Portland cement are interground with diesters formed by reacting a polyol (e.g. alkylene glycol) with a monobasic carboxylic acid (e.g. acetic acid) to enhance the efficiency of the grinding operation.

Abstract: A high-concentration coal-water slurry of a coal concentration as high as 71 percent by weight at a viscosity of 2,000 cp (at 25.degree. C.) can be produced by first coarsely crushing a starting coal, further pulverizing 95 to 30 percent by weight of the coarsely crushed thus obtained, subjecting the finely pulverized coal thus obtained, together with the remainder of the coarsely crushed coal, to crushing in a wet-type crusher, and pulverizing and adjusting the coal particles to a particle size constitution of 20 to 30 percent by weight of 200-mesh size and larger and 80 percent by weight or less of 350-mesh size and smaller.

Abstract: A method and a system for preparation of a highly concentrated and fine-grained suspension such as a coal-water slurry comprises feeding of coarse solid matter by a metering conveyor type weigher and of a carrier liquid and additives into a ball mill, in which the solid matter is ground and the suspension is formed. The particle size and distribution are analyzed and the viscosity is determined. The speed of the ball mill and the amounts of the carrier liquid and additives are adjusted during the continuous preparation process so that a suspension with constant characteristic features such as particle size and distribution, content of solid matter and viscosity is supplied into a pipeline.

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: Disclosed is a composition adapted for use in coating pellets orally administrable to ruminants which protects the core material in the rumen and releases it in the abomasum comprising a film-forming polymeric material, a hydrophobic material dispersed in said polymeric material, and a physiologically acceptable flake material dispersed in said polymeric material, the flake material having been treated by bringing the particles into rubbing contact with the hydrophobic material so that the surface of the particles of flake material become hydrophobic.

Abstract: A process for grinding organic-containing mineral matter, particularly oil shale, is disclosed comprising a series of increasing finer grind-producing grinding steps, each followed by an organic beneficiation step. A portion of the organic-enhanced beneficiation product is mixed with each successive grinding step feed.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a carbide-based desulfurizing reagent wherein large agglomerations of material are milled into fine particles, an organic, polar liquid is added to said reagent before or during said milling.

Abstract: Hydraulic cements such as Portland cement are interground with diesters formed by reacting a polyol (e.g. alkylene glycol) with a monobasic carboxylic acid (e.g. acetic acid) to enhance the efficiency of the grinding operation.

Abstract: In a method of operating a ball or rod mill that comprises milling substrate with an attrition medium in the presence of an aqueous carrier. An anti-corrosion composition comprising a water soluble, (alkali metal) phosphate and a water soluble zinc salt is maintained in the aqueous carrier.

Abstract: An electric motor operated rotary drum type grinding mill is operated at optimal efficiency by detecting and analyzing the motor current. The power signals are converted by signal processing equipment for presentation as pictorial display representations of mill operating conditions at a variety of motor current levels to permit unskilled operators to understand the current operating conditions. Instantaneous on line current signals are derived from the mill by a transformer coupling without rewiring or modification. Analytical equipment processes the detected current signals for mill control, storage of historical performance and pictorial display. Mill operation is accordingly controlled in semi-automatic or fully automatic modes that maintain optimum mill efficiency.

Abstract: Finely divided limestone is produced by abrasively grinding limestone in an aqueous media in the presence of added dissolved carbon dioxide or in the presence of a soluble acid-forming compound, the anion of which forms a soluble calcium compound, or in the presence of both dissolved carbon dioxide and an acid-forming compound. The finely divided limestone is used in a dry flue gas desulfurization process.

Abstract: Aluminum pigments are produced by wet milling in the presence of water, employing a coupling agent to allow miscibility of water in the milling slurry, in order to compensate for inefficient aeration of commercial ball mills. Hydrogen peroxide may be employed to the same purpose without a coupling agent. This process assures the production of high quality leafing aluminum pigments.

Abstract: A process for producing a coal-water slurry having a high coal concentration (generally 60 to 80% by weight or more) and a lower viscosity, at a lower cost and with a smaller amount of dispersing agent added is provided, which process is directed to a process for producing a high concentration coal-water slurry by feeding coal, water and a dispersing agent into a wet, continuous ball mill and wet-milling them, characterized by feeding the dispersing agent in a multi-stage manner along the milling direction of coal within the ball mill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for wet grinding of natural and/or synthetic carbonates in wet suspensions in which the viscosity of the mass is decreased and a favorable particle size range distribution is obtained having a small portion of very fine overground particles. The carbonates in the wet grinding are mixed with zeolites to 0.05 to 3.0% by weight based on the dry weight of the carbonates. Chemical dispersants are used to help effect the process.

Abstract: Phosphate rock contained in an acidic slurry is ground by equipment wherein the acidic slurry contacts the metallic surfaces of the equipment. A method for monitoring and controlling grinding ball consumption is provided in which acid-neutralizing particulate iron contained in the acidic slurry is measured and correlated to control curves, which relate particulate iron concentration to slurry pH and slurry pH to the rate grinding ball consumption. If the measured particulate iron concentration equates to an unacceptable ball corrosion rate, the equilibrium of the slurry pH and particulate iron concentration can be varied to maintain a predictable ball consumption. When making the slurry, waste water from other steps of the wet process manufacture of phosphoric acid can be used as part of an acidic diluting medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for grinding graphite comprising:(1) forming a mixture of graphite and a graphite grinding aid;(2) grinding the mixture of graphite and graphite grinding aid to reduce the size of the graphite;(3) forming an aqueous slurry of the graphite particles, graphite grinding aid and water;(4) adding an amount of hydrocarbon oil to the aqueous slurry with agitation to form graphite-oil agglomerates;(5) separating the graphite-oil agglomerates from the grinding aid and water; and(6) removing hydrocarbon oil from the graphite-oil agglomerates to provide graphite particles reduced in size.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of free-flowing homopolymer and copolymer waxes by heating the solid or molten waxes in aqueous ammonia solution.

Abstract: A process for preparing coal for use as a fuel. Forming a coal-water slurry having solid coal particles with a particle size not exceeding about 80 microns, transferring the coal-water slurry to a solid bowl centrifuge, and operating same to classify the ground coal-water slurry to provide a centrate containing solid particles with a particle size distribution of from about 5 microns to about 20 microns and a centrifuge cake of solids having a particle size distribution of from about 10 microns to about 80 microns. The classifer cake is reground and mixed with fresh feed to the solid bowl centrifuge for additional classification.