Abstract: A process to recover molybdenum contained in spent petrochemical catalysts has been invented. The proposed process permits the recovery of molybdenum in the form of an alloy, which can also contain other elements, such as nickel, cobalt, tungsten, iron and others. The process starts with a calcining operation for removal of hydrocarbons initially present in the spent catalysts, as well as to oxidize molybdenum and eventual other metal elements, such as nickel, cobalt, tungsten, iron; the calcined material is then fed into a plasma reactor, where molybdenum is recovered in an alloy formed with the other possible elements; the metal alloy can be readily commercialized. Besides recovering molybdenum, the plasma process also generates inert ceramic byproducts, containing alumina, silica and fluxing agents, such as lime. The process is clean and can be used for continuous operation, treating several types of materials, particularly spent catalysts, containing molybdenum or similar elements.

Abstract: A process for recycling composite materials includes the steps of feeding a quantity of composite material composed of at least one polymer and aluminum into at least one first reactor; heating the composite material in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the at least one polymer and form a hydrocarbon by-product and aluminum in the at least one first reactor; feeding the aluminum free of the at least one polymer into a second reactor; and heating the aluminum in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to melt the aluminum in the second reactor.

Abstract: A process for recycling composite materials includes the steps of feeding a quantity of composite material composed of at least one polymer and aluminum into at least one first reactor; heating the composite material in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the at least one polymer and form a hydrocarbon by-product and aluminum in the at least one first reactor; feeding the aluminum free of the at least one polymer into a second reactor; and heating the aluminum in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to melt the aluminum in the second reactor.

Abstract: A process for recycling composite materials includes the steps of feeding a quantity of composite material composed of at least one polymer and aluminum into at least one first reactor; heating the composite material in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the at least one polymer and form a hydrocarbon by-product and aluminum in the at least one first reactor; feeding the aluminum free of the at least one polymer into a second reactor; and heating the aluminum in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to melt the aluminum in the second reactor.