The present invention relates to methods for beneficiating a banded coal of the type wherein a substantial portion of the ash constituents is within the cleats. The method includes subjecting a comminuted coal feed, including coal and ash and having a particle size of about −13.5 mm, to a density separation process to separate the comminuted coal feed, using a separating gravity value of from about 1.35 up to about 1.9, into a beneficiated coal fraction and an ash containing gangue fraction. The method may include the initial steps of subjecting a coarse coal having a size of up to −150 mm to a density separation process to separate the coarse coal into an initial light coal-containing fraction and an initial heavy ash containing gangue fraction; and subjecting at least a portion of the initial light coal-containing fraction to a comminution process to form the comminuted coal feed. The invention extends to a coal product produced by said methods.

A system and method for sizing and separating granular particles within the bulk granular solids by creating a graded granular flow comprising multiple sized fractions with gradation of the particles according to particle size between relatively fine fractions and relatively coarse fractions; and capturing at least a portion of granular flow. The system (11) comprises means (25) for creating the graded granular flow, and means (30) for capturing at least a portion of the graded granular flow. The graded granular flow is split into separate streams, one of which is subsequently captured by intercepting that stream. The intercepted stream may be collected or redirected for further processing.

An aggregate processing assembly is provided. The processing assembly includes a separator assembly having a central member extending from a first end to a second end, the central member supporting at least one helical flight provided between the first and second ends, the helical flight having a width provided between a proximal end and a distal end. An assembly housing is provided around a portion of the separator assembly, the assembly housing includes a collection portion for receiving processed feed stock which exits the separator assembly radially away from the central member outward past the distal end, and the collection portion includes a first outlet. A second outlet is coupled to the separator assembly for receiving processed feed stock which exits the separator assembly at the second end of the at least one helical flight. A proppant, an aggregate, a system for processing feed stock to produce a proppant or aggregate, and a method of producing a proppant or aggregate is also provided.

Apparatus (200) for sorting mixed waste materials, comprising: a housing (260) configured to be vibrated to assist sorting; a screen (210) supported by the housing (260) and having an inlet end (212) for receiving waste materials and an outlet end (214) for discharging at least some waste received at the inlet end (212), the screen (210) comprising at least one portion (220) pivotally coupled adjacent the inlet end (212) to a substantially horizontal axle (222) mounted in the housing (260); and drive means (224,228) configured to pivot the at least one portion (222) of the screen (210) about the axle (222) with a controlled reciprocating action.

One embodiment of a bucket drill and soil screen apparatus consists of a mast (9) attached to a prime mover vehicle (7). A carriage (10) and hydraulic motor (12) slide vertically along the mast from which an attached kelly bar (14) and drilling bucket (15) are rotated and lowered into the ground. A kickout assembly (13) lifts drilling bucket (15) outward in an arc. Soil and cultural artifacts are transferred to a screen basket (20) by rotating open the drilling bucket through a latch and hinge. The screen basket is lifted to its screening position and rotated around a central axis to facilitate the passing of fine soil particles through the hardware cloth walls of the basket. Cultural artifacts retained in the screen basket are transferred to a fixed sorting screen (22) by rotating the screen basket to its dump position.

Systems and methods for increasing recyclable material recovery from automobile shredder residue (4). Embodiments include separation of automobile shredder residue with a sorting system (5) such as an air sorting system, a non-ferrous automobile shredder residue air sorter, an air-locked automobile shredder residue sorting system, a non-magnetic magnetic sorter, a substantially isotropic quantization sorting system, an air-locked Z-box air classifier, low susceptance microparticle separator, a magnetic fuzz separator, a wind tunnel system, or the like perhaps with substantially horizontal laminar air flow (7) and can be used with or without out other traditional automobile shredder residue sorting systems (16) or (15) perhaps creating additional recyclable quantities and even better separated results such as with zorba and zurik and the like.

The invention relates to a wind classifier for classifying material (M), the wind classifier comprising a feed conveyor (2) for carrying the material (M) to be classified; a classifier drum (3) for receiving the material (M) supplied by the feed conveyor (2) and for classifying it on a surface of the classifier drum (3) onto its front side and rear side; blower nozzles (4) positioned between the feed conveyor (2) and classification drum (3) to blow air from substantially below the feed conveyor (2) obliquely upwards over the classification drum (3); and means (7, 8, 9) for adjusting the height and distance of the front end (2b) of the feed conveyor (2) in relation to the classifier dmm (3); whereby the means for adjusting the height and distance of the front end (2b) of the feed conveyor (2) in relation to the classifier dmm (3) comprise a horizontal sliding support (7) of the rear end (2a) of the feed conveyor; a sliding support (8) of the front end (2b) of the feed conveyor (2) substantially obliquely upwards in relation to the classifier dmm (3); and an actuator (9) connected to the feed conveyor (2) for simultaneous moving of the feed conveyor (2) in the direction of said supports (7,8).

A system and method for creating a rigid foam substitute is provided. By using natural binding materials and natural fiber materials, the system and method may be used to create environmentally friendly substitutes for expanded polystyrene. The system generally comprises a processing room and molding facility. The processing room may comprise an opener, cleaner, and blower, which may be used to break up and clean the natural fiber material. The molding facility may comprise a mixer, molder, and kiln, which may be used to create casts. The method generally entails processing a natural fiber material before mixing it with a natural binding material and fluid to create a fluidic mixture, wherein said fluidic mixture is subsequently molded and cured to create a finished product.

Methods and apparatus for treating a mixture of fiber and granules are provided. The method includes passing the mixture through a friction zone comprising a conveyor belt that moves mixture and a friction device comprising a stationary surface in contact with a surface of the mixture. The method includes applying pressure to the mixture with the friction device to generate friction such that at least 5% of the fiber in the mixture is rotated. The method includes forming an agglomerate that is larger than the granules in the mixture.

Example embodiments include a system for removing string from shredded tobacco, including an arrangement configured to dispense shredded tobacco from a first location to a second location along a path of communication, a string filter operative at a location along the path of communication comprising a first roller comprising pins, whereby string may be contacted by at least some of the pins and retained at the string filter as the shredded tobacco passes through the filter.