A process is developed wherein sodium carbonate is reclaimed from Trona-treated fly ash waste stream, and the fly ash rendered suitable for use as a Pozzolan. The process is a closed system wherein all separated aspects of the waste stream are reused by the generating power plant or offered as a commercial product.

Fine coal is cleaned of its mineral matter impurities and dewatered by mixing the aqueous slurry containing both with a hydrophobic liquid, subjecting the mixture to a phase separation. The resulting hydrophobic liquid phase contains coal particles free of surface moisture and droplets of water stabilized by coal particles, while the aqueous phase contains the mineral matter. By separating the entrained water droplets from the coal particles mechanically, a clean coal product of substantially reduced mineral matter and moisture contents is obtained. The spent hydrophobic liquid is separated from the clean coal product and recycled. The process can also be used to separate one type of hydrophilic particles from another by selectively hydrophobizing one.

Fine coal is cleaned of its mineral matter impurities and dewatered by mixing the aqueous slurry containing both with a hydrophobic liquid, subjecting the mixture to a phase separation. The resulting hydrophobic liquid phase contains coal particles free of surface moisture and droplets of water stabilized by coal particles, while the aqueous phase contains the mineral matter. By separating the entrained water droplets from the coal particles mechanically, a clean coal product of substantially reduced mineral matter and moisture contents is obtained. The spent hydrophobic liquid is separated from the clean coal product and recycled. The process can also be used to separate one type of hydrophilic particles from another by selectively hydrophobizing one.

One method of treating incinerated waste comprises: size separating at least some of the incinerated waste into a first undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the first separation size and into a first oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the first separation size; size reducing at least some of the first oversize fraction; size separating at least some of the size-reduced first oversize fraction into a second undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the second separation size and into a second oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the second separation size; combining at least some of the first undersize fraction and at least some of the second undersize fraction into a fine fraction; and extracting metal from at least some of the fine fraction. Another method of treating incinerated waste comprises extracting metal by froth flotation from at least some of the incinerated waste. Systems are also disclosed.

One method of treating incinerated waste comprises: size separating at least some of the incinerated waste into a first undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the first separation size and into a first oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the first separation size; size reducing at least some of the first oversize fraction; size separating at least some of the size-reduced first oversize fraction into a second undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the second separation size and into a second oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the second separation size; combining at least some of the first undersize fraction and at least some of the second undersize fraction into a fine fraction; and extracting metal from at least some of the fine fraction. Another method of treating incinerated waste comprises extracting metal by froth flotation from at least some of the incinerated waste. Systems are also disclosed.

A process for cleaning and dewatering hydrophobic particulate materials is presented. The process is performed in in two steps: 1) agglomeration of the hydrophobic particles in a first hydrophobic liquid/aqueous mixture; followed by 2) dispersion of the agglomerates in a second hydrophobic liquid to release the water trapped within the agglomerates along with the entrained hydrophilic particles.

A process for cleaning and dewatering hydrophobic particulate materials is presented. The process is performed in in two steps: 1) agglomeration of the hydrophobic particles in a first hydrophobic liquid/aqueous mixture; followed by 2) dispersion of the agglomerates in a second hydrophobic liquid to release the water trapped within the agglomerates along with the entrained hydrophilic particles.

A method for separating particles in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic separation, capable of separating target particles from non-target particles in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic particle separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.

A method for separating particles in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic separation, capable of separating target particles from non-target particles in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic particle separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.

One method of treating incinerated waste comprises: size separating at least some of the incinerated waste into a first undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the first separation size and into a first oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the first separation size; size reducing at least some of the first oversize fraction; size separating at least some of the size-reduced first oversize fraction into a second undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the second separation size and into a second oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the second separation size; combining at least some of the first undersize fraction and at least some of the second undersize fraction into a fine fraction; and extracting metal from at least some of the fine fraction. Another method of treating incinerated waste comprises extracting metal by froth flotation from at least some of the incinerated waste. Systems are also disclosed.