Systems and methods for cryogenic separation of plant material are provided. A method of cryogenic separation of plant material, includes placing a sieve into a vessel. Plant material is placed in the sieve. Cryogenic fluid is provided at or below −150 degrees Celsius to the sieve. The plant material is agitated within the sieve and the vessel to separate plant particulates solidified by the cryogenic fluid from the remainder of the plant material. The cryogenic fluid and plant particulates are removed from the vessel.

A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

Aggregate washing systems are described including mechanisms for slurrying, washing and/or dewatering aggregate material.

Aggregate washing systems are described including mechanisms for slurrying, washing and/or dewatering aggregate material.

A gold pan and method of panning A concave pan with lip and an array of curved ribs with linear central regions coupled to and extending above and forward from lip, each rib including a cavity oriented to be orthogonal to the concavity of the pan to trap material flowing thereover. The lip has a front region with a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of a back region. There are a plurality of finishing fins extending into an interior of the concave pan from a back wall or side wall thereof Panning is performed by disposing particulate material within a provided pan; flowing material over the ribs; flowing material over a plurality of finishing fins; collecting particulate material in a corner of a flat bottom; tipping the pan; and tapping a side thereof to separate heavies.

A gold pan and method of panning A concave pan with lip and an array of curved ribs with linear central regions coupled to and extending above and forward from lip, each rib including a cavity oriented to be orthogonal to the concavity of the pan to trap material flowing thereover. The lip has a front region with a greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of a back region. There are a plurality of finishing fins extending into an interior of the concave pan from a back wall or side wall thereof Panning is performed by disposing particulate material within a provided pan; flowing material over the ribs; flowing material over a plurality of finishing fins; collecting particulate material in a corner of a flat bottom; tipping the pan; and tapping a side thereof to separate heavies.

An apparatus and method for separating heavy metals and precious stones from alluvial material wherein the apparatus comprises a frame, a gold pan supported on the frame and a vibration means supported on the frame adapted to provide a vibration to the gold pan. The apparatus may further comprise a water pump supported on the frame operable to introduce a quantity of water to the gold pan. The apparatus may further comprise a screen supported above the gold pan. The method comprises providing a gold pan supported on a frame, introducing a quantity of an alluvial material to the gold pan and vibrating the gold pan so as to remove lighter material leaving the heavy metals and precious stones therein.

An apparatus and method for separating heavy metals and precious stones from alluvial material wherein the apparatus comprises a frame, a gold pan supported on the frame and a vibration means supported on the frame adapted to provide a vibration to the gold pan. The apparatus may further comprise a water pump supported on the frame operable to introduce a quantity of water to the gold pan. The apparatus may further comprise a screen supported above the gold pan. The method comprises providing a gold pan supported on a frame, introducing a quantity of an alluvial material to the gold pan and vibrating the gold pan so as to remove lighter material leaving the heavy metals and precious stones therein.

An apparatus for the wet attrition of particulate material comprising an attrition scrubber; a dewatering screen comprising a deck and a sump beneath the deck, the dewatering screen being mounted upstream of the attrition scrubber whereby oversize material from a downstream end of the deck of the dewatering screen passes into the attrition scrubber; and a hydrocyclone wherein an underflow, containing a coarser fraction of the feed slurry, passes out of a lower outlet of the hydrocylone while an overflow, containing a finer fraction of the feed slurry and most of the water, passes out of an outlet at the upper end of the hydrocyclone, a pump being provided for pumping material from the sump of the dewatering screen to the inlet of the hydrocyclone, wherein the underflow from the hydrocyclone is passed into the attrition scrubber.

A method for separating glass from a laminate of glass and binder by breaking sheets of laminated glass into pieces; placing the pieces into a chamber with water; and then pressurizing the chamber, whereby the glass separates from binder; and removing the separated glass from the chamber. The separation can be enhanced by agitating and alternately pressurizing the chamber and freezing the water in the chamber.