Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequence control of vertical movement of slurried particulates from a lower level to the upper levels, more particularly a vertical hoist system for movement of slurry from a subterranean mine area upward through an earthen or cased borehole to a surface station. The vertical pump system includes series-connected pumps having variable speed capability to transport slurry particulate from an underground sump upward to a surface surge tank or other repository. The logic sequence system exercises control over valving sequence between the underground pumps and the vertical borehole in order to control slurry surges during start-up, shut-down and emergency dump operations. Thus, the pump input to the vertical conduit utilizes energy dissipator units as selectively controlled by automated block and by-pass valves to control flow of fluids from the pumps upward through the vertical conduit.

Abstract: Aggregate, fragmented material and the like is transported in a pipeline by introducing foam under pressure into the pipeline along with the aggregate, fragmented material and the like to be transported and the foam and aggregate, fragmented material and the like are maintained at a pressure to move the aggregate, fragmented material and the like and foam along the pipeline. The foam may be regenerated at spaced positions along the pipeline by introducing additional foam into the pipeline or introducing gas under pressure into the pipeline to agitate the foam. The gas phase of the foam, as well as the gas employed to regenerate the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of air, nitrogen, natural gas or carbon dioxide and the liquid phase of the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of water, brine or oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a low pressure slurry into a high pressure stream to form a high pressure slurry by injecting a high pressure fluid into a chamber. A portion of the high pressure fluid is removed at a certain location in the chamber, to form a fluid low pressure vortex. The low pressure slurry is injected into the low pressure vortex where it mixes with the high pressure fluids. The slurry, at a high pressure, is removed from a high pressure outlet.

Abstract: A stable slurry containing carbonaceous solid material (such as coal or coke) carrier liquid (such as water or oil), and dispersing agent is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the slurry by grinding a carbonaceous solid material at a high solids content of at least 60 volume percent to generate at least 5 weight percent of colloidal carbonaceous particles and mixing the carbonaceous solid material so ground with carrier liquid and dispersing agent until a slurry with specified properties is produced. A method of stabilizing a carbonaceous solid material-liquid slurry by adding to the slurry either fine carbonaceous solid material and/or dispersing agent and/or stabilizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous carbonaceous slurries having reduced viscosity, a stabilized network of carbonaceous material in water and improved pumpability are obtained by having present a salt of naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and at least one water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, guar gum, locust bean gum, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum and guarpak guar gum. For example, a mixture of 96.8% by weight of ammonium naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and 3.2% by weight of sodium alginate can be added to an aqueous coal slurry in an amount of 0.31% by weight of the slurry.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel fuel slurry comprising a mixture of finely ground coal constituting 65 to 70 percent of the fuel, water, a wetting/dispersing agent for the coal constituting 0.5 to 5 percent of the fuel and a suspending agent for stabilizing the fuel slurry which agent constitutes a clay such as attapulgite clay in the dry, pregelled or predispersed form. Other clays can be employed as a stabilizer, as a predispersed non-gelling montmorillonate clay. If the coal slurry is to be used immediately the clay or other gelling agent is not necessary to maintain suspension stability.

Abstract: A deashed coal-water slurry and process for preparing the same containing 65-85 percent of solids and 0.01-2.4 weight percent of dispersing agent. The slurry is comprised of a coal compact whose coal particles have a particle size distribution in substantial accordance with a specified formula. The coal-water slurry has a relatively low viscosity of less than 4,000 centipoise at a 75 percent solids content and, when it is pumped at either a constant or an increasing shear rate, its viscosity decreases. Also disclosed are a pumping process and an electrophoretic deashing cell and process.

Abstract: Aqueous carbonaceous slurries having reduced viscosity, a stabilized network of coal in water and improved pumpability are obtained by having present a salt of naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and at least one water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of gum karaya, mixtures of gum karaya and polyacrylamide and polysaccaride modified with polyacrylate. For example, a mixture of 61.5% by weight of ammonium naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and 38.5% by weight of gum karaya can be added to an aqueous coal slurry in an amount of 0.13% by weight of the slurry.

Abstract: A process for producing a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry of insoluble coal products from a dilute slurry of insoluble coal products. The dilute slurry is concentrated to form a nonflowable concentrate having a solids level in excess of 65 weight percent. The nonflowable concentrate is introduced into a mixing zone together with an alkaline agent, surfactant and diluent wherein they are admixed to form a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry having a solids level in excess of 60 weight percent. Sufficient alkaline agent is present to provide a pH level of the slurry above about 9.0. The surfactant comprises at least about 0.01 percent by weight of the solids present. The diluent can comprise any suitable aqueous stream that does not adversely react with the insoluble coal products, alkaline agent or surfactant. The concentrated aqueous slurry is easily flowable from the mixing zone.

Abstract: The plugging of fluidized solids in long transfer lines is a particularly troublesome problem from an operational standpoint. Obstructions are cleared by closing off the transfer line at both ends, introducing an inert (non-deleterious) gas into the conduit at a few atmospheres pressure above the pressure at the conduit output, maintaining the gas pressure for a time to allow pressure equilization along the conduit, and thereafter opening the conduit outlet to permit the plugged solids to refluidize and then clear the line.

Abstract: Finely divided coal is slurried with liquid carbon dioxide and pumped from a source (mine, dump, railway car, etc.) to a loading pier where, after deslurrying, the coal is pneumatically carried by gaseous carbon dioxide into a storage facility or directly to a waterborne carrier. The coal is maintained under a blanket of carbon dioxide gas during storage and transport. When the waterborne carrier, which may be an ocean going vessel or an inland waterway vessel, reaches its destination, the coal is removed using carbon dioxide gas and then delivered to storage or a use point. If the use point is some distance away, the coal may be reslurried with liquid carbon dioxide and pumped to its final destination.

Abstract: Stable, pumpable slurry compositions of finely divided solid carbonaceous material in water are described. The composition includes a gelling agent to provide a supporting gel having a yield stress and a viscosity builder to reduce the bleeding of the supporting gel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous transfer of particles from a gaseous conveying medium to a liquid conveying medium wherein a liquid is introduced into a cone-shaped inducer so that the liquid flows along the inducer's periphery toward its vertex. A stream of the gaseous conveying medium and entrained particles is directed into the center of the inducer. The particles impinge the liquid and are carried away by it and the gas is exhausted.

Abstract: A low viscosity slurry is prepared by first making a powder such that the shape of the particles of the powder is granular and then mixing the powder and a suitable dispersant.

Abstract: A low viscosity slurry of aggregates of crystals in a dispersant is prepared by first making aggregates of crystals by the method of direct precipitation, the shape of the aggregates being granular, and then mixing the aggregates and the dispersant.

Abstract: A continuous process for blending coal with a water immiscible liquid produces a uniform, pumpable slurry. Pulverized raw feed coal and preferably a coal derived, water immiscible liquid are continuously fed to a blending zone (12 and 18) in which coal particles and liquid are intimately admixed and advanced in substantially plug flow to form a first slurry. The first slurry is withdrawn from the blending zone (12 and 18) and fed to a mixing zone (24) where it is mixed with a hot slurry to form the pumpable slurry. A portion of the pumpable slurry is continuously recycled to the blending zone (12 and 18) for mixing with the feed coal.

Abstract: An arrangement for directly transporting manganese nodules obtained in ocean bottom mining, entrained in carrier water, to a ship includes a riser conduit and a submersible motor-pump arrangement located at the ocean bottom and discharging into the riser conduit in continuous operation. The motor-pump arrangement is so designed and operated that the highest possible pressure reduction therein due to changing consistency of the respective flowable medium minus the pressure differential along the characteristic curve of the pump arrangement at most equals, for all operating points along a characteristic control line, the pressure differential between a continuous operating point and the lowest pressure of the corresponding characteristic curve of the riser conduit at the operating limit.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for gasifying solid carbonaceous material at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a gas consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which comprises forming a slurry at atmospheric pressure of the carbonaceous material with a liquid having a specific gravity of from 1.1 to 1.9, a boiling temperature of at least 70.degree. F., a latent heat of vaporization less than about 200 BTU per pound, a critical temperature which is less than the incipient coking temperature of the carbonaceous material, a stability at temperatures up to 600.degree. F., an essentially inert chemical reaction with the carbonaceous material at temperatures less than about 600.degree. F., an immiscibility with water or solubility in water at no more than 5%, and a dissolving ability for hydrogen sulfide at temperatures of from -40 to 250.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for conveniently transporting particulate coal and crude oil together as a slurry through a pipeline. The coal, having particle size of 20-350 mesh size range, is added to the oil in sufficient amount to form a transportable coal-oil slurry. The slurry is maintained at sufficient velocity and turbulence in the pipeline to prevent solids settling, and also at sufficient pressure, temperature, and time conditions to liquify at least 5 weight percent of the coal. Also, when the sulfur content of the coal used is less than the oil, the sulfur content of the delivered oil portion is reduced during its transit through the pipeline. At its destination, the oil portion can be separated from the slurry and passed to refining operations, while the coal along with some contained heavy oil can be either liquefied to produce hydrocarbon liquid fuel products, or burned as fuel in a power plant.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of transporting particulate solid material as a slurry through a pipeline. A pumpable slurry is formed of the particulate solid material in a solution of alcohol and water as a carrier liquid having an additive therein to thicken it. The slurry is pumped through the pipeline to transport the particulate solid material to a desired location.

Abstract: An improved method for mining and processing phosphate matrix in its dry state utilizing a gas moving at supersonic velocity as the carrier fluid to perform the various process steps, in a substantially closed system, that yields dry high grade phosphatic materials and dry sand and clay fractions and to recombine and thoroughly mix the sand and clay fractions in approximately equal proportions by weight as they are produced and to transport the sand-clay mixture along with the naturally radioactive Radon-222 gas that is generated during the processing to the mined out pits and depositing them therein after which the leach zone materials of the overburden are deposited thereover and then depositing thereover the sandy materials of the overburden with provisions being made in preselected areas to form lakes to complete the process of reclaiming the land to its natural state immediately and without danger of radiation from the buried radioactive materials.

Abstract: A pipeline pumpable coal-water slurry having a novel combination of coal particles and carrier water is prepared by a method wherein the particle sizes and their distribution are controlled in accordance with a particle size distribution formula which is especially beneficial for providing a novel coal compact with a minimum amount of void space between particles and a maximum amount of particle surface area with an advantageous amount of colloidal sized particles present. These features combine to enhance the dispersing effects generated by electrolytes and/or dispersing agents selected and added to the coal compact and/or slurry to provide a near maximum zeta potential to the particles in the slurry and to provide low viscosity to the resulting yield pseudoplastic coal-water slurry. Brookfield viscosities obtained, e.g. 1000 cps, or less, at 60 rpm with 75 wt. % coal, dry basis, make the coal-water slurry especially advantageous for transport by pipeline over long distances.

Abstract: A system for processing coal to produce methanol, alcohol-slurry coal for transport, electric power and urea. Raw coal is graded. The downgraded fraction is gasified, producing steam and synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is converted to methanol which is then used to slurry upgraded coal for transport or to produce electric power. The steam output of the gasifier drives an oxygen generator to produce oxygen for the gasifier, when the synthesis gas is used to produce methanol, and also drives an electric power turbine. Natural gas may be used to maximize methanol production. Urea is a by-product.

Abstract: The transporting of solids using selected fluorochlorocarbons as carriers. Techniques of recovering the carrier are also disclosed as are novel solids handling and processing systems in which the compositions employed as carriers are also used to effect a heavy liquid resolution of solids.

Abstract: The frictional drag of aqueous liquids and suspensions in turbulent or pulsating flow is reduced by adding 1 to 1,000 ppm of a polyacryl amide or partially saponified polyacryl amide obtained in its manufacturing process in the form of an aqueous, dimensionally stable jelly which has retained its solubility in water and is capable of being cut.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant bend or elbow like construction for small pipelines of relatively small, i.e., 2 to 8 inch, inside diameter is formed of soft, ductile metal, normally mild steel. The outside bend portion most subject to abrasive attack is prefitted prior to use with a frame and cover arrangement which receives, maintains and provides a dustproof and pressure tight cover over a plurality of ceramic wear liners which receive the abrasive attack after the metal forming the outside bend portion is worn away in use.

Abstract: A new apparatus for suspending and transporting particulate material is described. The apparatus is particularly useful for transporting and depositing thermal insulation into building spaces. The apparatus includes a conduit junction having a particle inlet conduit for the particulate material, an outlet conduit and an air inlet conduit to supply air under pressure for suspending the particulate material passing into the junction, e.g. from a closed receptacle such as a plastic bag in which the particulate material is stored. The air inlet conduit provides air at superatmospheric pressure to the closed receptacle, thereby placing the stored particulate material and the interior of the receptacle at or above the air pressure in the junction. The particulate material is then able to move into the junction without traversing an air current travelling in the opposite direction. The outlet conduit carries air and particulate material away from the junction to a delivery point.

Abstract: In a method of loading a suction dredger in which a suspension of sand and ater is pumped into the hold an effluent device is intermittently passed to lower and lower levels in dependence upon the weight of the load in the hold to an extent such that the suction dredger remains loaded substantially up to its maximum permissible carrying capacity.

Abstract: Compositions containing small amounts of named water soluble polymers in an aqueous coal slurry permit the extrusion, pumping and transport of higher solids content aqueous coal slurries.

Abstract: A method of transporting by conveyance through pipelines and storing a fluid mixed fuel consisting of pulverized coal and a liquid fuel is characterized in that, during transportation, the mixed fuel is conveyed as a fluid of low viscosity with an increased liquid fuel proportion and, while in storage, the liquid fuel proportion is kept small by extraction of the liquid fuel alone from the mixed fuel in the storage tank. Arrangements for practicing the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method for processing a slurry of coal particles in water by dividing the slurry into a coarse fraction including at least substantially the coarser coal particles and a fine fraction including at least substantially the finer coal particles, reducing the water content of the coarse fraction, and separately stabilizing the fine fraction by addition of coal particles alone or coal particles suspended in water or oil, or by reduction of the water content of the fine fraction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transporting coal in finely divided form in a coal/liquid slurry. Liquid carbon dioxide, which can be formed by burning coal at the coal source point and liquefying the resulting gaseous carbon dioxide, serves as the slurry liquid. The slurry is pumped through a slurry pipeline to the coal use point under conditions of temperature and pressure to maintain the carbon dioxide in liquefied form. Subsequent to deslurrying, the coal-free carbon dioxide can be liquefied and returned through a liquid pipeline to the coal source point for reuse. The use of liquid carbon dioxide as a slurry medium is also applicable to transporting other finely divided solids such as ores and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides for an improvement in slurry transport systems, especially coal slurry lines. Instead of the usual use of fresh water resources which, in some geographic areas, are scarce for slurry transport, concentrated brine is used which is prepared from abundant salt water resources. Because of the higher density of this concentrated brine, it is a superior carrier of pulverized material. It dimishes the separation and settling tendency of slurry components during transport and particularly during shutdown. Other advantages in the use of concentrated brine include: freezing point depression which permits ease of transport during winter and at lower temperatures; dust suppression of stored coal; avoidance of spontaneous combustion of stored coal; inhibit freeze packing of dewatered pipeline coal; and diminished extent of corrosion in ferrous metal pipelines as compared to that which might occur with lower concentration brines.

Abstract: A method for preparing industrial ores, e.g., coal, for pipelining and pipelining the ores to a site for subsequent processing or use.Ore from a mine is screened into two fractions, one having a large size particle distribution and one having a small size particle distribution, each fraction retaining both the ore and the refuse. The large size particle fraction is cleaned of refuse and the clean ore therefrom crushed to a size distribution of the smaller size or small size ore fraction. The separated refuse from the large size particle fraction is ground to provide superfines to the extent required for the proper particle size distribution for pipelining. The ore and superfine refuse are combined in a water slurry for pipelining.After pipelining the ore, the ore is cleaned and dewatered conveniently as known in the art for fine ore. The resulting ore may then be stockpiled or directly used.

Abstract: Coal is separated in a gravity separator using a fluorinated hydrocarbon parting liquid. The cleaned coal is burned and the ash mixed with recovered parting liquid and returned to the gravity separator. Additives may be dispersed in the parting liquid to alter the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the products. The additive may be a dustproofing or a waterproofing agent.

Abstract: A method of using fluorinated hydrocarbons as a carrier to convey mined coal to a separation station. The carrier acts as a parting liquid for beneficiating the coal. The carrier is recovered and returned to the mine for conveying more coal. Some of the returned carrier may be used at the mining face as a dust suppressant. Ash from burning the coal may be returned with the carrier where it is disposed of as waste material.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus which allows the sorting of particles or cells in accordance with their physical and/or chemical properties such as size, DNA and/or protein content.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for cleaning coal in which fluorochlorocarbons are used as parting liquids. Various novel techniques, components, and combinations thereof are employed to maximize efficiency; to minimize costs and adverse environmental impacts; to make it possible to recover coal of a character which has heretofore been economically unrecoverable; to produce a superior product; and to reach other worthwhile goals.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for feeding coal into a gasifier operating at high pressures. A coal-water slurry is pumped to the desired pressure and then the coal is "dried" prior to feeding the coal into the gasifier by contacting the slurry with superheated steam in an entrained bed dryer for vaporizing the water in the slurry.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon mixtures containing 1-80% wax, e.g. shale oil, can be transported in a pipeline by distilling the mixture into an overheads fraction and a bottoms fraction, cooling the overheads fraction to a temperature above its pour point, but to a temperature sufficiently low so that when it is admixed with the bottoms fraction, the composite temperature of the mixture will be at or below the temperature at which the mixture is to be transported, and admixing the overheads fraction with the bottoms fraction (at a temperature above that at which wax crystals form) while imparting to the mixture a shear rate less than about 20 sec.sup.-1 to form a pumpable slurry. The slurry is preferably transported in a pipeline at conventional temperatures.