Abstract: Apparatus for separating various sizes of solid minerals, e.g., mixtures of fine sediment and larger particles or aggregates of ore, has rotating drum with internal lifters and external grousers and enables tumbling of solids in stream of water flowing through drum.

Abstract: In a first step, a mixture of nodular sediments and sea water is collected by dredging along the sea bed and lifted into the separation compartment of an underwater control and storage station connected by tubing to a carrier ship. A volume of air corresponding to the pressure of the compartment at the immersion depth is sucked from the mixture and re-injected into the dredging tube by means of a booster compressor. In a second step, the nodules separated from the air are sucked to the surface and then collected.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for extracting oil from oil shale. An excavating unit is driven by supplying steam to a plurality of steam engines mounted in an annulus between stationary outer and inner casings. A hollow center column and apertured screw vane are mounted for rotation in the inner casing and helical screw sections are provided outwardly of the inner casing at both ends of the apparatus for directing material to and from the inner casing. Steam is supplied to the unit for driving the center column and helical screws, with the steam supplied to the center column emanating through openings in the screw vane mounted in the inner casing for separating the oil from the oil shale by pyrolysis. The oil is withdrawn in the form of a vapor product by means of a vacuum applied to the inner casing for separation and condensation at the surface. Following excavation, the unit can be withdrawn to the surface under its own power.