Abstract: A method of refining magma, which includes silicon carbide, basaltic clay, and other insoluble components, including the steps of blending the magma with monovalent alkali hydroxides and a chemical oxidizing agent, melting the magma, and injecting oxygen into the melted magma. The melted magma is electrolyzed to separate metals contained in the melt, which are recovered by gravity separation followed by centrifugation. Soluble silicates are recovered by crystallization.

Abstract: A robotic positioning device has a support structure and a tool implement holding member which is positional within the three dimensional space of the support structure. The tool implement holding member is connected to the support structure utilizing five positioning members. Each of these positioning members is connected to the tool implement holding member. Three of the positioning members are connected to the holding member at a first common center of rotation and the other two positioning members are connected to the holding member at a second common center of rotation. Each of the positioning members is attached to the support structure utilizing a connecting member which allows for the positioning member to freely pivot with respect to the support structure and additionally allows the member to move with respect to the support structure axially along an axis of the member. This is accomplished by moving the members axially toward or away from the support structure.

Abstract: A method of treating a composite material such as oil shale or low grade coal to recover metals, metal compounds and additional heat. The method comprises reducing the particle size of said composite material, separating the composite organic portion from the gangue portion which forms a part of the material to form a composite metal-containing organic concentrate. The concentrate is then treated with available oxygen-bearing materials in wet solution in an amount sufficient to supply all or a portion of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen required for combustion of the concentrate. Then or thereafter, the treated concentrate is treated with additional gas phase oxygen in an amount sufficient to make up the remainder if any of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen, thereby producing a treated composite organic material with or without other forms of oxygen. This treated composite organic material is further heated until the material ignites.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of treating sea or land carbonaceous ore or reconstituted, formerly carbonaceous ore to recover therefrom noble metal values. If sea ore is used, noble metal containing composite organic material is first separated from any shells or sand that may be present. Flotation techniques are then utilized to form a carbonaceous concentrate, which is next mixed with a strong oxidizing agent. The mixture may either be heated to provide autogenously ignition or ignition may alternatively be accomplished by compounding the mixture into electrodes and using electric arc. If stoichiometric quantities of the oxidizing agent are used, the oxidation-reduction reaction, which consumes all carbon present, is of sufficient energy to drive the noble metals and/or their compounds into the vapor phase forming a particulate plasma, from which the elemental metals or their compounds may be condensed and/or precipitated.