Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of making a highly reactive pozzolan, involving the steps of forming a slurry comprising metakaolin and a liquid; wet milling the slurry; and separating the metakaolin from the liquid to provide the highly reactive pozzolan. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of making a cement-based composition involving the steps of providing a highly reactive pozzolan by forming a slurry comprising metakaolin and a liquid, wet milling the slurry, and separating the metakaolin from the liquid; and combining the highly reactive pozzolan with at least one cementitious material.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for disaggregating waste materials which contain at least partially reusable elements, mainly metals, plastics and cardboard. The waste materials are stirred in water by mechanical forces, large pieces, in particular plastic pieces, are coarsely crushed and soluble elements, in particular cardboard, are dissolved. The metallic elements are separated from the suspension as heavy materials, the remaining coarse solids, in particular plastics, are mechanically separated from the suspension, and the suspended fine solids are separated from the suspension by dewatering.

Abstract: A method and device for defibrating fiber-containing material in a device operating with the pin mill principle. The device includes a housing and in it a first rotor equipped with collision surfaces; a second rotor concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces, the second rotor being arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotor; or a stator concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces. Further, the device includes a feed orifice in the housing and opening to the center of the rotors or the rotor and stator, and a discharge orifice on the housing wall and opening to the periphery of the outermost rotor or stator. The fiber-containing material is led from the feed orifice to the housing and made to flow together with air or liquid generating a suspension through the collision surfaces of the nested rotors, or the nested rotor and stator to the discharge orifice and further as a discharge flow out of the housing.

Abstract: A method of grinding cement clinkers and a cement clinker grinding apparatus having a vertical roller mill are provided. In the method, feed material is ground by a table and rollers. Next, substantially all the resultant ground material is taken out from an underside of the table and then converted to a separator for classifying the ground material by a bucket elevator. The resultant coarse powder provided by the separator is returned to a center of the table. In grinding, an pressing force of each of the rollers onto the table is selected so that a roller pressure per full sectional area of the roller ranges from 10 to 15 kg/cm2. Further, a circulation quantity of the coarse powder to be returned to the vertical roller mill is selected from 100 to 300% of the feed material charged into the center of the table. And the liquid of 0.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that the crosslinks in thermoset plastics can be broken by heating to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4.times.10.sup.6 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol. By utilizing the process of this invention, precious metals can be easily and economically recovered from electronic circuit boards. In this process, the crosslinks in the thermoset plastics in the circuit board break under conditions of heat and pressure in the presence of 2-butanol. After the crosslinks in the thermoset plastic break, the plastic material dissolves in the 2-butanol and can be removed by decanting. The remaining undissolved fiberglass mat and precious metal is removed by filtration, decanting or centrifugation. The precious metals which were entrapped in the thermoset plastic can be recovered from fiberglass on the circuit board by being melted.

Abstract: A suspending agent-containing slurry is disclosed which comprises a dispersant and a particulate suspending agent having a particle size distribution in which the particle diameter at weight-cumulative 95%, from the minimum particle size, is 1 .mu.m or smaller. A method for efficiently producing the suspending agent-containing slurry is also disclosed. A process for suspension polymerization by use of the suspending agent-containing slurry is further disclosed. The slurry not only has such an excellent suspending ability in suspension polymerization that it enables the production of vinyl polymer beads having a narrow bead size distribution, but also is capable of retaining this ability over long and of exhibiting the same ability even when it has a high concentration. The suspension polymerization process enables vinyl polymer beads having a narrow bead size distribution to be produced efficiently due to the use of the slurry.

Abstract: A grinding composition is disclosed for the grinding particulate metal containing minerals containing as a grinding aid at least one hydroxy-carboxylic acid of five to six carbon atoms, containing at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl groups, or its soluble salts.

Abstract: Metals are rendered analyzable, extractable or recoverable from materials, such as complex or refractory ores, by applying shear deformation forces to the materials. The shear deformation forces are generated by methods such as mechanical attrition. Through this process, the precious element-bearing amorphous colloidal silica and other fractions of these ores are reformed and crystallized into what are essentially nanophase materials that show a change of chemical, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties as compared to their original natural state. During or after this transformation, the precious element content of these ores may be reduced to a recoverable state and/or analyzed or detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recycling of plastic-coated cable residues, which comprise a metal core and a plastic jacket, wherein the metal parts are separated from the jacket and are separately recovered. The cable residues are communited and the chopped material is softened in a swelling container (10) with a swelling agent for the plastic. Subsequent to softening, the mass flow is fed with the swelling agent to a roller cone mill (13). The roller cone mill (13) flexes the chopped material and destroys the macrostructure of the cable pieces mechanically. The metal particles are separated from the jackets by way of stirring in a stirrer (14), and the multi-phase mixture is transported to a metal sedimentor (16). The heavier metal particles sink down in the metal sedimentor (16) based on gravity and separate themselves from the lighter plastic particles.

Abstract: An in-line grinder has been developed which can be configured to perform in a variety of applications through the use of an adjustable rotor/stator assembly, removable shear bar, and a variety of interchangeable stator-rotor configurations. A unique drive system utilizing a mechanical seal cartridge provides maximum sealing with a minimum of shaft deflection and run-out, thereby improving performance. These improvements collectively allow the grinder to be configured for optimum sizing of solids to a predetermined particle size for a broad range of materials. It has been demonstrated that a class of in-line grinders such as that described herein is applicable for sizing drill cuttings for injection into a subsurface formation by way of an annular space formed in a wellbore. The cuttings are removed from the drilling fluid, conveyed to a shearing and grinding system that converts the cuttings into a viscous slurry with the addition of water and viscosity enhancing polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory mill for grinding dental filler having a grinding chamber, preferably coated with an abrasion resistant polymer, the grinding chamber being charged with glass beads having a diameter in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.00 mm, and a refractive index substantially matching that of the dental filler to be ground. There is further provided a method of using this mill and media to provide substantially pure ground particles having an average particle size less than the average wavelength of visible light that, when incorporated into a dental restorative composite, impart good optical properties to the cured material.

Abstract: A mill for grinding and/or mixing a material. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mill includes a first container rotatably mounted at a first end of a gyration arm. The container rotates about a first axis, and the gyration arm rotates about a second axis. The mill may further include a second container mounted at a second end of the gyration arm. The second container is rotatable about a third axis. As the gyration arm rotates about the second axis, the containers move with the gyration arm. In addition, the containers themselves rotate about their own respective axes thereby greatly enhancing the forces within the containers effecting the grinding and/or mixing. A first motor may be used to rotate the gyration arm, and a second motor may be used to rotate the containers about their respective axes. The mill may be operated in a continuous mode or in a batch mode.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing a fluff pulp sheet used to produce fluffed pulp exhibiting enhanced dry compression and liquid wicking and retention characteristics using typical paper-making equipment, wherein a chemical pulp slurry is mildly refined prior to the steps of sheet formation, pressing and drying.

Abstract: A process for making an ink jet ink comprising:a) providing a dispersion containing a pigment, a hydrocarbon carrier, and a polyamine/fatty acid condensation polymer dispersant;b) mixing the pigment dispersion with rigid milling media less than 100 .mu.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a waxed fiber paper product with a high wax content to remove a substantial portion of the wax content includes the pulping of the wax paper fiber at an elevated temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the wax to separate a pulp fraction and to form an emulsion of water and molten wax. The pulp fraction is separated from the emulsion by filtering in a reverse pressure screen in which a finely perforated screen defines a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a major portion of the water/emulsion is removed from the suspension through the screen perforations leading from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, in which a rotor and foil arrangement within the reverse screen is operated under such conditions that the suspension at the high pressure side of the screen is maintained in a constant fluidized condition.

Abstract: A clay purification process, for removing impurities recovered with the clay, particularly a montmorillonite clay, includes the steps of separating the clay from rocks and other large non-clay impurities; dispersing the clay and smaller impurities in water, preferably at a concentration of at least about 4% by weight clay, based on the total weight of clay and water, more preferably about 6-10% by weight clay in water, to provide a clay slurry; passing the clay slurry through a series of hydrocyclones to remove the larger particles (impurities) while retaining clay particles having a size of about 100 microns or less, particularly about 80 microns or less; ion exchanging the clay to remove at least about 95% of the interlayer, multivalent (e.g.

Abstract: A composting assisting apparatus having a rotatable drum mounted on a support frame. A plurality of blades are mounted on the drum and arranged in a helical path along the axis of the drum. When the drum is rotated, the blades on the drum are rotated in a direction transverse to a forward direction of the support frame to engage, break up and aerate waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a thermoplastic resin composition that includes combining a ground crosslinked rubber with a thermoplastic resin and a compatibilizer based on a paraffinic oil to form a blend thermoplastic composition. The ground crosslinked rubber has an average particle size of about 80 mesh or smaller. The thermoplastic resin includes at least one polyolefinic resin. The ground crosslinked rubber is included in amounts of up to about 70% by weight, based on the weight of the blend thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: A method of producing metal flakes by producing a highly porous sponge structure of the metal; comminuting the highly porous sponge structure into particles; and flattening the particles into flakes having a low porosity. The method is particularly useful for producing high-purity flakes of silver, including its alloys.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mill having an agitator and grinding chamber which is coated with a non-pigmented, abrasion resistant polymer and a method of using this mill to provide substantially pure ground particles. The polymer coating is typically a thermosetting polymer such as polyurethane or an elastomer such as a fluoroelastomer. The polymer coating provides an abrasion resistant layer between the milling media and the agitator as well as between the grinding chamber and the milling media to prevent spalling, thus increasing the purity of the resultant ground material. The agitator mill may optionally include a ceramic gap separator which is typically formed of stacked plates separated a predetermined distance by shims to separate the ground particles from the milling media in the grinder chamber, thus allowing only the ground particles to pass out of the grinding chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of preparing a concentrated aqueous suspension of a finely ground particulate material by a multistage grinding process in which an aqueous suspension of the particulate material is passed to and treated by grinding in each of a series of grinding stages, wherein a water soluble polycarboxylate dispersing agent for the particulate material is added to the suspension at each of a plurality of dispersion agent addition sites or stages. The invention is characterised in that the aqueous suspension when treated by grinding in at least one of the grinding stages has a pH on the inclusive range 8.5 to 9.8. Using the method described, suspensions can be prepared which are rheologically stable with time, and which contain a relatively high proportion by weight of a finely divided pigment.

Abstract: Municipal solid waste (MSW) material is sized to provide a particulate material which is density separated into organic and inorganic portions using a suitable polar acidic organic liquid medium. The organic-MSW portion is digested in the polar acidic organic medium such as phenol at conditions of 500-850.degree. F. temperature, 300-2000 psig pressure and 5-100 minutes residence time. The digested organic material is then fractionated to produce gas, a light liquid boiling below about 170.degree. C., the polar acidic organic liquid medium such as phenol, boiling between 170 and 220.degree. C., and a liquid slurry boiling above about 220.degree. C. and including a powder material melting above about 400.degree. C. The recovered acidic organic liquid fraction is preferably recycled back to the density separation and/or digesting steps for further use in the process. The liquid slurry fraction product having heating value of 9,000-16,000 Btu/lb.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of extremely fine powders, which are ground wet in a mechanical grinder (1) and are subsequently dried. To obtain extremely fine sizes, the powders are ground wet as components of a suspension in the mechanical grinders. An air vortex grinder (4) is used as a dryer to obtain maximum agglomeration-free drying of the powders. The dried powder leaves the drying chamber (5) of the air vortex grinder (4) through an upper product discharge (8) and is fed through a line (9) to a filter cyclone (11). The suspension leaves the mechanical grinder (1) and is blown into the drying chamber (5) of the dryer (4).

Abstract: An attrition mill comprising a grinding chamber (1), an axial impeller (10), a chamber inlet (3) for admitting coarse particles and a separator comprising a chamber outlet (6) through which fine particles exit from the chamber. The mill is characterized in that a classification as between coarse and the fine particles is performed in the mill upstream of the separator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory mill having a grinding chamber, preferably coated with an abrasion resistant polymer, the grinding chamber being charged with glass beads having a diameter in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.00 mm. There is further provided a method of using this mill to provide substantially pure ground dental filler particles having an average particle size less than the average wavelength of visible light.

Abstract: A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing paper pulp containing fibers of annual plants or of secondary raw materials produced therefrom, whereby fiber materials are shortened to a length which permits production of a homogeneous, pumpable suspension of the shortened fiber materials. The fiber materials are subsequently bleached and processed into a homogeneous paper pulp.

Abstract: A disc refiner for thermo-mechanical pulping of wood chips or other fiber source for papermaking has annular refiner discs with a plurality of axially protruding radially extending curved refiner bars. Curved bars in the refiner zone should resist erosion and corrosion. Each disc has a region of bars which curve in the direction of rotation, and a region which curves away from the direction of rotation. Two identical refiner discs are mounted to rotate with respect to one another. Because of the bar curvature, processed stock experiences different angles of bar intersection as the pulp progresses from the inside of the refiner plate to the outside of the refiner plate, yielding a reduced hit on the pulp where opposed refiner bars curve in opposite directions. Where refiner bars on opposed plates curve in a like direction as they pass over one another there is a hold back action on the stock in that region.

Abstract: A large, mechanically agitated pump box is used between a mixer, for mixing oil sand and water to produce a slurry, and a pipeline for conveying the slurry to a processing facility. Prior to the aqueous slurry being discharged into the pump box from the mixer, it is screened to reject large solids. The oversize is directed to an impactor where it is comminuted and the comminuted product is screened again prior to being discharged into the pump box. The pump box is designed to increase the residence time of the slurry in the pump box and to separate the slurry into two phases, the suspended slurry and the larger lumps that cannot be suspended. The larger lumps that settle in the pump box are recycled to the impactor for comminution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grinding granular solids in liquid slurry form within a mill. The solids density of the feed slurry is maintained below the solids density in the mill, thus causing the liquid to flush through the mill, preferentially carrying and discharging finer relative to coarser particles. Discharged solids thus have a smaller concentration of overground solids, and grinding capacity and power consumption by the mill are optimized.

Abstract: A system and method for recycling a waste glass cullet includes a first screening station for separating large glass shards of approximately one inch in diameter from smaller glass shards in the cullet, a crusher to reduce the large glass shards to smaller glass shards smaller than approximately one inch in diameter, a second screening station to separate remaining large contaminants having a diameter of approximately one inch or greater from the cullet, a series of vacuum inlets disposed along a conveyor to remove light contaminants, a presoaking apparatus comprising a holding tank partly filled with a presoaking solution, a rotary washing apparatus comprising a drum with vanes disposed along an inner wall of the drum to toss the cullet in the washing solution, the vanes being oriented so that the cullet is tossed progressively forwardly toward a discharge outlet of the drum, to remove buoyant contaminants from the cullet, a dewatering apparatus to remove excess water from the cullet, and a dryer for reducin

Abstract: The present invention concerns finely divided particles of compounds that provide flame retardancy and/or smoke suppressant properties to fibers, textiles, polymeric articles, paper, paint, coating and insulation. More particularly, the present invention concerns colloidal-sized particles of hydrated salts, organic phosphates, metal borates, polyamides, solid halogenated flame retardants with a melting point greater than 250.degree. C., molybdenum compounds, metallocenes, antimony compounds, zinc compounds, bismuth compounds and other solid chemicals which act as flame retardants or smoke suppressants. The present invention also concerns various milling processes to reduce these materials to colloidal sizes and to disperse them in water, organic liquids and meltable solids.

Abstract: A trash disposal system for a building which facilitates the process of disposing of trash created within that building. The system includes a chute having an inlet within the building which routes the trash to one or more comminutors, such as grinders, arranged in series. The particles output from the comminutors are reduced in size and pass into a collection vessel installed underground external to the building. An agitator within the collection vessel mixes the trash particles introduced therein and promotes dissolution of the trash particles into water within the collection vessel. The water within the collection vessel, and the trash particles dissolved in that water, are either pumped or flow by gravity from the collection vessel to either a sewer lateral or a drain field for distribution. A method of disposing of trash is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for treating crumb rubber particles for use in asphalt compositions is characterized by activating the particles to enhance the rheological properties thereof. A slurry of crumb rubber particles is formed by adding water thereto. The slurry is heated to a temperature of 85-90.degree. C. to release excess oils and chemicals from the particles into the slurry. The slurry is dried to produce a fine mesh rubber product with enhanced rheological properties.

Abstract: A process comprising: milling first particles, second particles, and a milling component, wherein the first particles are reduced in average diameter particle size to from about 3 to about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Devices and corresponding mechanical non-fermentive methods for isolating seeds from fruits or vegetables and for releasing and separating the isolated seeds from their coats, according to one embodiment the device includes a first station including a first chamber and a second chamber at least partly separated therebetween by a perforation element, the first chamber engages a mixing mechanism for circulating a coated seeds including liquid mixture such that the coated seeds are scraped against the perforation element and passing through the element into the second chamber, the device further includes a second station including a third chamber engaging a vortexing mechanism for vortexing the liquid mixture, such that the seeds resulting from the first station are scraped against one another, thereby releasing the seeds from their coats, the device further includes drains for separating the released seed coats from the naked seeds.

Abstract: A process for the reclamation of base materials from carpet is disclosed. The process includes contacting the carpet with a composition which contains a chemical softening agent for the binder material in the carpet and separating the carpet pile from the carpet backing(s).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for iron ore pellets production comprising at least one iron ore crushing stage in a roller press for the production of iron ore pellets. The crushing stage(s) can be done prior or after grinding, or still defined by successive passages of the material through the foregoing crushing stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recycling diaphragms, in particular a process for recycling used asbestos-free diaphragms from alkali metal chloride electrolysis, the diaphragm material being comminuted, the diaphragm material being washed with a wash substrate and a reusable material being obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming component plastics from a mixture of plastics wherein differentials in specific gravity serves as the segregation mechanism. The method includes the steps of: (1) fragmenting the plastic articles such that the resulting plastic fragments are generally of a preferred dimension and contain primarily one such component plastic; (2) sizing the fragmented plastic so as to remove plastic fragments which do not comport to the preferred dimensions; (3) adding a fluid medium to the plastic fragments to produce a slurry; (4) loosening contamination from the plastic fragments; (5) segregating the heavy and light components within the slurry based on specific gravity; (6) isolating the segregated plastic fragments; and (7) cleaning the heavy and light components to produce high purity plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recycling diaphragms, in particular a process for recycling used asbestos-free diaphragms from alkali metal chloride electrolysis, the diaphragm material being comminuted, the diaphragm material being washed with a wash substrate and a reusable material being obtained.

Abstract: A method of preparing submicron particles of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent which comprises grinding the agent in the presence of grinding media having a mean particle size of less than about 75 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding media is a polymeric resin. The method provides extremely fine particles, e.g., less than 100 nanometers in size, free of unacceptable contamination.

Abstract: A method for the granulation of polytetrafluoroethylene powder comprises spraying a binder solution on the powder while the powder is stirred and ground. The binder solution is an aqueous surfactant solution having a surface tension of 25 dyne/cm or lower at 20.degree. C. and contains polytetrafluoroethylene colloidal particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing finely divided dispersions of solids having an average particle size of 0.01 to 20 .mu.m by the comminution of coarse particulate dispersions in a hole- or slit-type nozzle 4 having a specific bore length to diameter ratio at a pressure difference greater than 5 bar between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing the finely divided dispersion.

Abstract: The efficiency of grinding materials is improved by the addition of hydroxy-carboxylic acids of five to six carbon atoms contasining at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl grpous or their soluble salts as grinding aids. The grinding aids can be added as such or formed in situ by the oxidation of saccharides.

Abstract: Containerized medical waste is treated by a process in which the materials are carried by a conveyor under a negative pressure to a multiple-stage shredder. Sodium hypochlorite is added at several points in the shredder section of the apparatus. The output of the shredder is compressed and the liquid component which is separated out is recirculated. The compressed solid is conveyed through a conveyor in which the temperature is maintained at a level just under 212.degree. F. by the introduction of steam. The pressure is maintained at or below atmospheric pressure at all points in the system to prevent release of contaminated materials into the atmosphere. By using the combination of sodium hypochlorite and steam, it is possible to eliminate live microorganisms entirely while still taking advantage of low pressure to avoid accidental release of contaminated materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for chemically and physically stabilizing contaminated soil is disclosed. The soil is homogenized in a homogenizer; dropped into a mixer below the homogenizer and mixed with an additive; then dropped to a processing terminus located below the mixer. The apparatus and method are useful for processing highly clumped and/or acidic soil, e.g., soil contaminated with mining waste.

Abstract: Methods and equipment are described for the recycling of pieces of pre-fragmented scrap tires using high pressure water jets. The use of high pressure water provides for the production of fragmented rubber material in useful sizes and also provides for a separation of the fragmented rubber from the cording and bead material of the pieces of pre-fragmented tires. Recovery of metal cording material in a form suitable for reuse is also one feature of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for submerged grinding of wastes includes a vessel that is filled with an alkaline liquid and which has a mechanism for grinding a feed waste containing organic solids, a feeding mechanism for charging the feed waste into the vessel, a primary screening mechanism for filtering the liquid being discharged from the grinding mechanism and a secondary screening mechanism by which the waste/liquid mixture that has been filtered by the primary classification mechanism is freed of the liquid fraction such that the waste is converted into a slurry.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aqueous clay slurry having superior gellation properties. The process involves the bead milling of the clay in an aqueous medium for a period of about 0.5 to 20 minutes at an energy input level of about 44 to 146 kilowatt-hours per metric ton of dry clay. The milling may carried out using any suitable horizontal or vertical sand mill or ball mill such as the "Morehouse Cowles Sandmill" or the "Polymill" containing a grinding medium such as zirconium silicate or zirconium oxide. The clay is preferably a smectite clay such as montmorillonite and is present in the slurry in the range of about 3 to 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the slurry. The aqueous clay slurry is useful as a rheological additive in water-based coating formulations.