Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating mineral-bearing ores and, more particularly, for treating ores containing precious metals, base metals and the like values by providing a means to extract the metal or other values from a particulated ore by classifying the ore to separate values from the gangue, and by continuously chemically leaching the said values from the ore. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, particulated ore is fluidized and intermittently moved through a tank to classify the ore particles into strata according to size, shape and density to beneficiate values, either heavier or lighter than the gangue, for recovery of concentrated values.

Abstract: An economical process for the removal and destruction of organic impurities present in Bayer process liquor depends upon the use of a hybrid adsorbent. The hybrid adsorbent consists essentially of porous essentially anhydrous particles of alumina having deposited on the surfaces thereof including the pores, an ultrathin layer of carbon atoms which is essentially monomolecular. Such carbonization is effected by cracking a suitable hydrocarbon, preferably a gas, in contact with a hot turbulent fluidized bed of alumina particles. This layer has the unique property of adsorbing far more impurities than the equivalent weight of active carbon, and also oxalate ions which are known not to be adsorbed on carbon. As an ultrathin layer it is too thin to change either the average pore volume or the surface area of the alumina particles substantially, from before they are carbonized.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the separation of antimony from acidic solutions which contain antimony, alone, or together with other metallic ions, by extracting antimony with an organic, water-immiscible, polyol-containing diluent. The method comprises the steps of contacting the antimony-containing acidic solution with a water-immiscible organic diluent containing at least one polyol dissolved therein, preferably a diol, said polyol serving to extract the antimony. The polyol serves to selectively extract the antimony from the acidic solution to the exclusion of other metallic ions such as copper and nickel.

Abstract: Process for separating sulphate from a contaminating chromium component contained in an aqueous liquor by the crystallization of a sulphate compound. The sulphate may be separated substantially free of chromium component by adjustment of the pH to the range of from about 2.0 to about 6.5, followed by cooling of the liquor to precipitate the sulphate compound from solution which sulphate is subsequently removed. The process provides an effective method for the separation of sulphate from dichromate, and is particularly useful in the production of chlorate.

Abstract: A method of eliminating the foam above a slurry of a corrosive liquid and solid matter where the foam is caused by a gas evolved by the reaction between the heated corrosive liquid and the solid matter comprising providing the heating energy by microwaves. This method has been found to be particularly useful in the sulphuric acid leaching of an ore concentrate in the production of beryllium hydroxide.

Abstract: In the Bayer process for producing alumina from bauxite of the type wherein the bauxite is added to a caustic solution to produce a soluble aluminate solution and an insoluble red mud fraction which is then subjected to one or more separation steps to produce a thickener overflow which is then subjected to a Kelly Filter Press to polish the thickener overflow the improvement which comprises treating the thickener overflow and the filter aid with a filtration improving amount of dextran.

Abstract: A method to reduce dissolved silver present in spent, waste, photographic processing fluids containing thiosulfate, is described. This process involves adjusting the pH to a low level prior to the addition of finely ground steel to the solution. With the pH at the low level, e.g. 2.5, the reaction of dissolved silver to precipitated silver, is facilitated. However, the pH must then be raised or neutralized, e.g. 7-8.5, in order to insure that the dissolved silver is essentially all precipitated. This material can now be safely shipped without treatment as a hazardous material and, after filtering the solids therefrom, can be safely disposed.

Abstract: Process for purifying TiO.sub.2 ore consisting essentially of subjecting the ore to two or more leaching treatments, said leaching treatments alternating between use of an aqueous solution of a mineral acid and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting essentially of alkali metal carbonates, hydroxides or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process of production of alumina includes method for controlling specific surface area of alumina. Control of specific surface area is performed by controlling porous structure of alumina. In the process, aluminum alkoxide is subject hydrolysis for forming alumina sol. During hydrolysis process, polyether is used as organic solvent in order to control the porous structure of produced alumina.

Abstract: A process for extracting metal values such as gallium and/or indium from aqueous solutions by contacting said solutions with a water immiscible organic solvent having dissolved therein a heterocyclic thione.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to recover precious metals from sulfide ores. It involves chlorinating a mixture of an ore concentrate and salt to form a liquid melt. The salt preferably contains potassium chloride. This chlorination is carried out at a temperature between 300.degree. and 600.degree. C. while stirring. The process converts precious metals in the elemental and sulfide forms into precious metal chlorides which are recovered by subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: A process is disclosed to extract cobalt and optionally, at least one metal value selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, tungsten, and vanadium from metal-containing particles, such as spent hydroprocessing catalysts particles containing carbon residue. In this process, the spent catalyst particles are roasted in an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to 600.degree. C., and then the roasted catalyst particles are contacted with an aqueous solution of ammonia, ammonium salt, and hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous solution has an initial pH of at least 9.5 and an initial hydrogen peroxide concentration of from 0.02 to 0.2 M. That aqueous solution is maintained at a pH of greater than 9.5.

Abstract: Synthetic rutile is prepared from titaniferous slags containing alkaline-earth metal impurities, such as magnesium oxide, by a method comprising contacting the slag with chlorine at a temperature of at least about 800.degree. C., and then leaching the chlorine-treated slag with hydrochloric acid at a temperature of at least about 140.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a crystalline compound having an empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.4.yH.sub.2 O where A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca and Ba, x ranges from 0.99 to about 0.7 and y ranges from 0 to 0.15. The process comprises adding a solution of the appropriate metal salts to a solution of ammonium hydroxide thereby precipitating a hydroxide gel intermediate, which is dried and calcined in air to yield the resultant crystalline compound which has a huttonite structure. Additionally, this invention relates to a process for the preparation of a ceramic powder having the empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.3, where A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Sr, Ca and Ba, and x ranges from 0.99 to about 0.7. Finally, a ceramic composition having the empirical formula LaCr.sub.x A.sub.1-x O.sub.4.yH.sub.2 O having a huttonite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide composition useful as the opacifier agent for vitreous enamels and fusion enamels comprises TiO.sub.2 predominantly in the form of isometric primary particles from 0.5 to 5.0 .mu.m in size, which are aggregated to predominantly spherolithic particles 1 to 100 .mu.m in diameter, with a BET surface of 1 to 4.5 m.sup.2 /g and an apparent density of 0.2 to 1.3 kg/1, is prepared by subjecting titanium dioxide hydrate having a BET surface of from 50 to 500 m.sup.2 /g to accelerated calcination at temperatures of 800.degree. to 1600.degree. C.

Abstract: X-ray amorphous, aluminum oxide which exhibits a specific surface area (BET) according to DIN 66 131 of >10 m.sup.2 /g, an average particle size of .gtoreq.0.1 .mu.m and a water content of >10%. The X-ray amorphous aluminum oxide can be produced by reacting water vapor and vaporous aluminum trichloride in a molar ratio of 1.5 to 10:1, preferably 7.+-.1:1=H.sub.2 O:alCl.sub.3 at a temperature of 200.degree. to 1000.degree. C., preferably 600.degree..+-.50.degree. C. and at a dwell time of >1 sec., preferably 3.5.+-.1 sec. and a partial vacuum of 100.+-.10 mm H.sub.2 O column. By means of calcination thereof an aluminum oxide can be obtained which consists of .gtoreq.90% by weight of .alpha.-aluminum oxide and exhibits a specific surface area (BET) according to DIN 66 131 of >5 m.sup.2 /g and an average particle size of .gtoreq.0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A process for producing fibers of a transition metal boride, which comprises reacting a mixture of a vapor of an evaporable boron compound an a vapor of an evaporable transition metal compound in the presence of a catalyst composed of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Cu, Au and Ni.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for increasing the specific gravity of red mud. The process comprises mixing red mud in an acidic solution, such as sulfur dioxide solution, having a pH of between about 1.5 and about 3.0 to form an insoluble red mud residue. The specific gravity of the red mud residue can also be increased by heating the residue in air to a temperature of 250.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. This process enables recovery of a treated red mud derivative having an increased specific gravity in excess of 4.0, which makes the product particularly useful as a weighting agent for drilling fluid, and as the solid phase of slurries used to fill crevices and fissures exposed by drilling or excavation.

Abstract: Process for disposing of insoluble tailings that remain when solubilizing uncalcined or calcined trona in the process of producing soda ash, in which the tailings are slurried with water or waste solutions of sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate, pumping the slurry into a well connected to an underground mined-out cavity with sufficient pressure to prevent build-up of tailings from plugging the bottom of the well opening, dispersing and settling said tailings in the cavity, removing a liquor from said cavity whose concentration of sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate has been increased and recovering such enriched liquor for use in the manufacture of sodium-containing chemicals such as soda ash.

Abstract: Prior art processes for removal of one or more contaminant elements, including at least one of antimony, bismuth, and arsenic and optionally including iron, from electrolyte solutions of primary metals by solvent extraction with an organic phase including a hydroxamic acid, then precipitating at least part of the contaminant elements from the organic phase as sulfides, are improved by an additional step of re-extracting the organic phase with water before precipitating the sulfides from it. At least part of any arsenic present and, if desired, part of any antimony as well, may be re-extracted in this manner and subsequently recovered if desired, so that the overall process is made more economical.