Patent ID: 8376251

Claim:
A method of separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material, comprising: (a) initiating the wetting of at least a portion of the plurality of clustered particles; (b) disaggregating at least a portion of the wetted plurality of clustered particles into a disaggregated material comprising a plurality of smaller clusters, discrete particles or any combination thereof by applying at least one selected from the group consisting of: shearing forces, milling forces, agitating forces, impacting forces, or any combination thereof, to at least the portion of the wetted plurality of clustered particles to diminish the size of the wetted plurality of clustered particles and expose particle surfaces containing unwanted liquids and/or gases, thereby producing the disaggregated material; and (c) stabilizing at least a portion of the disaggregated material by reducing or eliminating specified controlling attractive forces.