University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Charah Enviromental, Inc.

John G Groppo, Jr

Thomas Lee Robl

Charles E Price

Bhupendra K Parekh

Steven M Brooks

William Lee Barnwell

Charles J McCormick

The present invention provides a method of beneficiating slag, including mixing the slag with water to form a slurry. The slurry is screened through a first screen to remove a first portion of material and then screened through a second screen to remove a second portion of material. In one embodiment, the second portion of material has a carbon content less than about 5% and, more preferably, a carbon content less than about 1%.

Method and system for beneficiating gasification slag

A method for improving the pozzolanic character of fly ash includes the steps of first hydraulically classifying and then flotation separating the fly ash in order to reduce particle size distribution and remove carbon. The method also includes the steps of spiral concentrating separated coarse particles to recover iron, pyrite and marcasite and screening the fly ash to remove ultra-light carbon and plant debris.

Method for improving the pozzolanic character of fly ash

An improved froth flotation method is provided for the removal and recovery of an ultra-fine constituent such as carbon from tailings such as fly ash. A flotation apparatus is utilized that preferably includes a slurry conditioning tank and a flotation cell. The method of the present invention comprises the improvement of utilizing a flotation reagent formulation comprising a mixture of fuel oil and petroleum sulfonate. The method broadly includes the steps of (1) producing a slurry, or solid suspension, of the material containing the constituent to be recovered by adding a preselected amount of water or other slurrying liquid; (2) adding the flotation reagent comprising a mixture of fuel oil and petroleum sulfonate to the slurry that renders the selected constituent hydrophobic; (3) aerating the conditioned slurry; (4) recovering the selected ultra-fine constituent from an upper portion of the flotation apparatus; and (5) withdrawing and recovering tailings from a lower portion of the flotation apparatus.

Method of removing carbon from fly ash

A froth flotation method and apparatus for the recovery of ultra-fine constituent are provided. The apparatus includes a flotation column having a drain for withdrawing tailings and underflow and an overflow for recovering the selected ultra-fine constituent. A mechanism is provided for delivering a wash medium to an upper portion of the column as well as for delivering diffuse air to a lower portion of the column. A slurry including the constituent to be recovered is received and conditioned within a tank that is connected by means of a feed line to the column. Additionally, a mechanism is provided for dissolving air in the slurry in the conditioning tank. Further, one or two matrixes may be mounted across the flotation column to further improve recovery. The method broadly includes the steps of (1) dissolving air in the slurry in the conditioning tank; (2) feeding the slurry through the feed line into an intermediate portion of the flotation column; (3) adding a reagent to the slurry that renders the selected constituent hydrophobic; (4) establishing and maintaining a downwardly flowing stream of wash medium in the flotation column; (5) establishing and maintaining an upwardly moving stream of diffuse air originating at a lower portion of the flotation column; and (6) recovering the selected ultra-fine constituent and diffuse air from the upper portion of the column.

Growing community of inventors

Wilmore, KY, United States of America

John G Groppo, Jr