Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making pure salt comprises recapturing post-drilling flowback water from hydro-fracturing; removing oil from the flowback water; filtering the flowback water using an ultra filter with a pore size of about 0.1 microns or less to remove solid particulates and large organic molecules, such as benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene, from the water; concentrating the flowback water to produce a brine that contains from about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of salt relative to the total weight of the flowback brine; performing one or more chemical precipitation process using an effective amount of reagents to precipitate out the desired high quality commercial products, such as, barium sulfate, strontium carbonate, calcium carbonate; and crystallizing the chemically treated and concentrated flowback brine to produce greater than 99.5% pure salt products, such as sodium and calcium chloride.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, metal nanoparticles, mixed-metal (alloy) nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles and mixed-metal oxide nanoparticles are provided. According to embodiments, the nanoparticles may possess narrow size distributions and high purities. In certain preferred embodiments, methods of preparing metal nanoparticles, mixed-metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles and mixed-metal nanoparticles are provided. These methods may provide tight control of particle size, size distribution, and oxidation state. Other preferred embodiments relate to a precursor material that may be used to form nanoparticles. In addition, products prepared from such nanoparticles are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for the separation of different metal values from raw materials, and an apparatus for carrying out such processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a metal and separating arsenic from an arsenic-containing solution. The method includes contacting the arsenic-containing solution with a fixing agent that comprises a rare earth compound to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is separated from the arsenic-depleted solution and a recoverable metal is separated from one or more of the arsenic-containing solution and the arsenic-depleted solution. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals. The arsenic-containing solution can be formed by contacting an arsenic-containing material with a leaching agent. Arsenic-depleted solids formed during the leach can also be separated and recovered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing arsenic from an arsenic-bearing material. The method includes the steps of contracting an arsenic-bearing material with an arsenic leaching agent to form an arsenic-containing solution and arsenic-depleted solids. The leaching agent can be an inorganic salt, an inorganic acid, an organic acid, and/or an alkaline agent. The arsenic-depleted solids are separated from the arsenic-containing solution, which is contacted with a fixing agent to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is then separated from the arsenic-depleted solution. A recoverable metal in the arsenic-depleted solids, arsenic-containing solution or arsenic-depleted solution can be separated and recovered. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.

Abstract: A process for recovering metals from a stream rich in hydrocarbons and carbonaceous residues by means of a treatment section, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: sending said stream to a primary treatment, effected in one or more steps, wherein said stream is treated in the presence of a fluxant agent in a suitable apparatus, at a temperature ranging from 80 to 180° C., preferably from 100 to 160° C., and subjected to liquid/solid separation in order to obtain a clarified product essentially consisting of liquids and a cake (oilcake); possibly subjecting the separated cake to drying, in order to remove the hydrocarbon component having a boiling point lower than a temperature ranging from 300 to 350° C. from the cake; sending the cake, possibly dried, to a secondary thermal treatment comprising: a flameless pyrolysis of the cake effected between 400 and 800° C., preferably between 500 and 670° C.

Abstract: Processes and systems for recovering promoter-containing compounds, for example, perrhenates, from promoter-containing catalyst substrates, for example, substrates containing precious metals, such as silver, are disclosed. The processes include contacting the substrates with a first solution adapted to remove at least some of the catalyst promoter from the substrates, for example, an oxidizing agent, to produce a second solution containing catalyst promoter, passing the second solution through a porous medium adapted to capture at least some of the catalyst promoter, for example, a ion exchange resin; and passing a third solution, for example, a base solution, through the porous medium to remove at least some of the catalyst promoter from the porous medium and produce a fourth solution containing compounds having a catalyst promoter. Systems adapted to practice these processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The oxine ligands 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquiniline and 5-sulfoxyl-8-hydroxyquinoline are covalently bound, using, for example, the Mannich reaction, to a silica gel polyamine composite made from a silanized amorphous silica xerogel and polyallylamine. The resulting modified composites, termed CB-1 (X?Cl) and SB-1 (X?SO3H), respectively, show a clear selectivity for trivalent over divalent ions and selectivity for gallium over aluminum. The compounds of the invention can be applied for the sequestration of metals, such as heavy metals, from contaminated mine tailing leachates.

Abstract: A method for making an agglomerate of an ore is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the ore with an acid solution and a stucco binder. The stucco binder may include calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The ore agglomerate may include ore, acid solution, and stucco-derived gypsum.

Abstract: A method of fixing carbon dioxide is provided. After metal ion components are extracted from natural mineral or steel slag through acid treatment, carbon dioxide is injected to fix carbon dioxide by carbonating the same. Since the procedure of pH adjustment is unnecessary, the reaction is carried out effectively, and a continuous process is enabled. Further, since the used extraction solvent is recycled, the cost of fixing carbon dioxide is reduced. The disclosed method of fixing carbon dioxide enables effective removal of carbon dioxide produced from the steelmaking industry, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emission and allowing recycling of the conventionally discarded steel slag.

Abstract: Proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions are described. Proppant formulations which use one or more proppants of the present invention are described, as well as methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions, and other uses for the proppants and methods of making the proppants.

Abstract: A process for recovering a metal chloride or mixed metal chloride from a solid waste material comprising recoverable metal containing constituents produced by lead, copper or zinc smelting and refining processes, said process comprising the steps of: (i) heating the solid waste material; (ii) treating the heated material of step (i) with a gaseous chloride to form a gaseous metal chloride containing product; and (iii) treating the gaseous metal chloride containing product of step (ii) to recover the metal chloride or mixed metal chloride. The metal chloride may be further treated to extract the metal itself.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method for the purification of Radium, in particular 226Ra, for target preparation for an essentially pure 225Ac production from available radioactive sources, using an extraction chromatography in order to separate chemically similar elements such as Ba, Sr, and Pb from the desired Ra; wherein said extraction chromatography has an extractant system on the basis of a crown ether. The invention is further related to a method for recycling of 226Ra, for target preparation for 225Ac production from radium sources irradiated with accelerated protons (p,2n), after separation of the produced 225AC. In this method a combination of the above extraction chromatography and a cation exchange chromatography is used. The obtained 226Ra is essentially free of the following chemical contaminants consisting of Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn, and Ba.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the removal of uranium(VI) species from waters by means of weakly basic, polyacrylic-based anion exchangers, said uranium(VI) species being present in the form of uranyl complexes as dissolved uranyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for controlled leaching and sequential recovery of two or more metals from metal-bearing materials. In one exemplary embodiment, recovery of metals from a leached metal-bearing material is controlled and improved by providing a high grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) and a low grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) to a single solution extraction plant comprising at least two solution extractor units, at least two stripping units, and, optionally, at least one wash stage.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods relating to advanced, high pressure oxidation are described. The devices, systems, and methods can be used to decontaminate ground water in a well or opening in a ground water table, and to recover minerals and hydrocarbons from subterranean deposits.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for controlled leaching and sequential recovery of two or more metals from metal-bearing materials. In one exemplary embodiment, recovery of metals from a leached metal-bearing material is controlled and improved by providing a high grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) and a low grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) to a single solution extraction plant comprising at least two solution extractor units, at least two stripping units, and, optionally, at least one wash stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing metals from waste, particularly electronic waste (or “e-waste”). The process generally includes the steps of dissolving at least some of the metals from the waste with nitric acid reagent and then causing at least some of the metals to precipitate as metal oxides and/or metal nitrates. NOx gases produced as by-product by the nitric acid dissolution of metallic components in the electronic waste are reused, in particular for generating permanganate when one of the metallic components comprises manganese.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system comprises a chamber having an ion emitting unit to emit metal ions in the chamber with a communicating hole; a neutral molecule introduction unit; another gas introduction unit; a controller controlling a temperature of a region where metal ions attach to the neutral molecules; and a mass analyzer for the neutral molecules with the metal ions, wherein plotting an attachment energy of the metal ions attached to the neutral molecules in the chamber along an abscissa and the temperature of the region where the metal ions attach to the neutral molecules along an ordinate, the controller adjusts the temperature of the region so as to fall within a range obtained by excluding a range corresponding to the temperature of the region from 150 to 200° C. from a range surrounded by the temperatures of the region [° C.]=150×attachment energy [eV], 100×attachment energy [eV]?50, and 20° C., and attachment energies [eV]=2.1 and 0.5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process as well as a device for removal of exhaust gas (7) that contains oxidizable pollutants. The exhaust gas (7) that contains oxidizable pollutants is introduced at a suitable location (a) into a flue gas system (K) that corresponds to a process oven (D) and is mixed with hot, oxygen-containing flue gas that flows through the flue gas system, whereby the exhaust gas (7) that contains oxidizable pollutants is heated to a temperature of at least 600° C.

Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. Methods and processes of environmental remediation and recovering metals from waste streams are also provided.

Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and an ammonium oxalate precipitant can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Both the precursor solution and the ammonium oxalate precipitant solution are at neutral or near-neutral pH. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of making nano-sized or micro-sized precipitate particles. The process comprising the steps of mixing, in a reaction zone, a metal salt solution with a precipitant solution to form a precipitate, said precipitate being at least one of a metal chalcogenide, metal hydroxide and metal oxide; and applying a shear force to said mixing solutions in said reaction zone during said mixing step, wherein said shear force and the conditions within said reaction zone form said nano-sized or micro-sized precipitate particles.

Abstract: A process for producing a mineral concentrate product that at is at least a substantially odour-free product comprises any one or more than one of (a) organics removal by (i) treatment of a froth product slurry containing floated mineral particles to remove organic compounds from the mineral particles and/or (ii) thermal treatment, and (b) addition of chemicals to prevent residual organic compounds on mineral concentrates being converted to odorous compounds, particularly while the concentrates are being stock-piled or transported.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a metal sulfide from a metal ion containing solution, including the steps of: a) providing a slurry containing seed panicles of said metal sulfide; h) adding a sulfide ion containing solution to said slurry to form an activated seed slurry; c) mixing said activated seed slurry with said metal ion containing solution to thereby form a metal sulfide precipitate; and d) recovering said metal sulfide precipitate.

Abstract: A method for preparing metal oxide particles having a primary particle size on the order of nanometers is provided. The method comprises subjecting a metal ion present in an aqueous solution and an amino alcohol to an initial stage of reaction with each other at normal temperatures under normal pressures for a given time, and adding at least once either of a metal ion or an amino alcohol or both thereof to the resulting reaction system for carrying out a subsequent stage of reaction for a given time wherein total amounts of the metal ion and the amino alcohol are such that the amino alcohol is used in the range of not less than a molar equivalent to the metal ion.

Abstract: A method of removing lead sulfide contained in refined molybdenite powder concentrates (major component; MoS2) is provided. More specifically, in order to solve the problems associated with a leaching method using a leaching agent that is employed for conventional hydrometallurgical process, oxygen-free inert gas is circulated in a furnace for pyrometallurgical treatment to evaporate lead sulfide at high temperature, followed by condensing process to recover lead sulfide at low temperature. The method is characterized in that, it can reduce environmental contamination and can easily recover sulfides of valuable metals such as lead, indium, zinc and the like.

Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and the use of a nonmetal-ion-containing strong base can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Examples of the precipitants used include tetraalkylammonium hydroxides. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: Provided are a method of isolating and purifying metal nanowires from a crude and complex reaction mixture that includes relatively high aspect ratio nanostructures as well as nanostructures of low aspect ratio shapes, and conductive films made of the purified nanostructures.

Abstract: An aqueous sulfuric acid-containing composition which comprises at least one surfactant, and a process for extricating metal from metal-containing materials with the aid of this aqueous sulfuric acid-containing composition are described.

Abstract: Methods for forming nanoparticles under commercially attractive conditions. The nanoparticles can have very small size and high degree of monodispersity. Low temperature sintering is possible, and highly conductive films can be made. Semiconducting and electroluminescent films can be also made. One embodiment provides a method comprising: (a) providing a first mixture comprising at least one nanoparticle precursor and at least one first solvent for the nanoparticle precursor, wherein the nanoparticle precursor comprises a salt comprising a cation comprising a metal; (b) providing a second mixture comprising at least one reactive moiety reactive for the nanoparticle precursor and at least one second solvent for the reactive moiety, wherein the second solvent phase separates when it is mixed with the first solvent; and (c) combining said first and second mixtures in the presence of a surface stabilizing agent, wherein upon combination the first and second mixtures phase-separate and nanoparticles are formed.

Abstract: A nanopore reactive adsorbent composite material, which may be a porous adsorbent comprising a chemically surface face modified gel, has a composition and micro structure, which integrals ion exchange components such as hydroxy apatite.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one carbon nanotube having a desired diameter and/or chirality from a mixture of carbon nanotubes having different diameters and/or chiralities is provided. A calixarene of formula (I): wherein n?4; X is PO3H2, Ra—PO3H, SO3H, or Ra—SO3H; Y is Rb, OH, or ORb; and Ra and Rb are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylene alkyl and optionally substituted alkylene aryl is combined with the mixture of carbon nanotubes in an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) having the desired diameter and/or chirality. The aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) is then separated from a residue comprising the remaining carbon nanotubes of the mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater. A system in accordance with one particular embodiment may include a front end system including at least one resin tank configured to contain an ion exchange resin configured to target a particular metal. The at least one resin tank may be configured to receive an output from an oxidation reactor configured to receive a flow of wastewater from a wastewater producing process. The system may further include a central processing system configured to receive a saturated resin tank from the at least one resin tank. The central processing system may further include a vacuum filter band system configured to receive a slurry from the saturated resin tank and to provide a cascading resin rinse to the slurry. The central processing system may further include a repetitive stripping system configured to receive a metal-filled purification unit from a metal specific purification system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater. A system in accordance with one particular embodiment may include a vacuum filter band system configured to receive a saturated resin tank from a front end system, the vacuum filter band system configured to generate a slurry from the saturated resin tank and to provide a cascading resin rinse to the slurry. The system may further include a repetitive stripping system configured to receive a metal-filled purification unit from a metal specific purification system. The repetitive stripping system may be further configured to sequentially apply the contents of a plurality of acid tanks to the metal-filled purification unit to generate a metal salt. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising tungsten, methods of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising tungsten, and applications of nanoparticles comprising tungsten, such as electronics, optical devices, photonics, reagents for fine chemical synthesis, pigments, and catalysts are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide from at least one organometallic precursor. One precursor(s) which can react spontaneously to oxidation is selected; a liquid solution of the precursor(s) is produced in a solvent non-aqueous medium, and the liquid solution is placed in contact with at least one oxidant in adapted reactional conditions in order to directly result in the production of nanoparticles of crystalline metal oxide(s). The invention also relates to a composition of nanoparticles obtained in the form of a colloidal liquid solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin which is a copolymer of a polystyrene and a non-styrenic polymer, wherein the non-styrenic polymer includes the following subunit: Formula (I) wherein Rb is a divalent linking group, preferably alkylene, and most preferably (—CH2—CH2—; and Rd is NH, NR, O or absent. Preferably the resin has an acrylic backbone.

Abstract: The method and furnace according to the invention enable a continuous processing of anode slime and are particularly suited to be connected to a process where anode slime is treated by hydrometallurgic methods after roasting. In the method according to the invention, the slime containing valuable metals and selenium is dried, roasted, sulfatized and cooled. The method includes steps to be carried out in succession, in continuous operation, so that the slime forms a slime layer on the conveyor and is conveyed to be treated in successive drying, roasting, sulfatizing and sulfuric acid removal and cooling units.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a process for industrially advantageously producing InP fine particles having a nano-meter size efficiently in a short period of time and an InP fine particle dispersion, and there are provided a process for the production of InP fine particles by reacting an In raw material containing two or more In compounds with a P raw material containing at least one P compound in a solvent wherein the process uses, as said two or more In compounds, at least one first In compound having a group that reacts with a functional group of P compound having a P atom adjacent to an In atom to be eliminated with the functional group in the formation of an In-P bond and at least one second In compound having a lower electron density of In atom in the compound than said first In compound and Lewis base solvent as said solvent, and InP fine particles obtained by the process.

Abstract: A process in which isotopes of the same element belonging to the alkaline earth metals, transition elements and heavy metals having an atomic mass of less than 209, in particular lanthanide metals, are separated in an aqueous medium by treating an aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an inorganic fine particle comprising the step of: reacting two or more reaction solutions for forming an inorganic fine particle while the reaction solutions flow in a non-laminar flow state in a microchannel, thereby form the inorganic fine particle, and an inorganic fine particle produced by the production method. The method for producing an inorganic fine particle of the present invention can stably produce monodisperse inorganic fine particles of nanometer size and allows for flexible response to formulation conditions (e.g., varying flow rate ratios between reaction solutions to be mixed) and for high-throughput production.

Abstract: A method of treating value bearing material comprising oxidised or surface oxidised mineral values includes the steps of crushing the value bearing material, contacting the crushed material! with a sulfide solution to sulfide the oxidised or surface oxidised mineral values, and adding ions of a selected base metal to the crushed value bearing material. The value bearing material may comprise oxidised or surface oxidised base metal or precious metal minerals. The crushed value bearing material is prepared as a slurry or pulp comprising from 15% to 40% solids and the remainder comprising water. The sulfide solution preferably comprises a soluble sulfidiser such as sodium hydrosulfide and the base-metal ion solution preferably comprises metal salt of base metals like copper or iron.

Abstract: A supercritical oxidation process, which comprises pressurizing and heating an aqueous system to form a fluid phase under supercritical conditions, feeding an oxidizer into said fluid phase to cause an oxidation reaction therein, directing the resultant fluid reaction phase into a central region of a cooling chamber while providing a coolant in an internal peripheral region of said cooling chamber, said peripheral region being adjacent to the inner surface of the cooling chamber, mixing the fluid reaction phase with said coolant within the cooling chamber, removing the reaction mixture from said cooling chamber and subsequently further reducing the temperature and the pressure of said reaction mixture to obtain a product mixture.

Abstract: A single crystalline ternary nanostructure having the formula AxByOz, wherein x ranges from 0.25 to 24, and y ranges from 1.5 to 40, and wherein A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Tc, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn, wherein the nanostructure is at least 95% free of defects and/or dislocations.

Abstract: Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include mixing fly ash particles with a sulfide salt and a metal salt to form a metal sulfide on the outer surface of the fly ash particles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the extraction of acid or basic oxides contained in a vegetal matter, more specifically it concerns the extraction of silica from rice husks. The invention also concerns pure oxides extracted from vegetal matter. The invention also concerns the process for the extraction of carbon-rich oxide compositions from vegetal matter, and compositions obtained through said process.

Abstract: A method is provided for compounding, homogenizing and consolidating compounds. In one embodiment, the charge components are mixed in a controlled addition process, then the newly-formed compound is heated to become totally molten, followed by a rapid quench at room temperature. In an alternate embodiment, the components are supplied with an excess of one component acting as a solvent, heated to dissolve additional components, and then the solvent is separated from the compound to produce homogeneous consolidated compounds. The methods herein are advantageously applied to provide an economical and fast process for producing CdTe, CdZnTe and ZnTe compounds.