Abstract: Systems for improving metal leach kinetics and metal recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide are disclosed. In some embodiments, an oxidative leach circuit 200 may employ Mechano-Chemcial/Physico-Chemical processing means for improving leach kinetics and/or metal recovery. In preferred embodiments, the Mechano-Chemcial/Physico-Chemical means comprises various combinations of stirred-tank reactors 202 and shear-tank reactors 212. As will be described herein, the stirred-tank reactors 202 and shear-tank reactors 212 may be arranged in series and/or in parallel with each other, without limitation. In some non-limiting embodiments, a shear-tank reactor 212 may also be disposed, in-situ, within a stirred-tank reactor 202.

Abstract: The invention provides an agrochemical composition comprising: (a) one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof; and (b) a strain, culture, culture filtrate, spores or mycelia of a species of a fungus or oomycete, or a metabolite produced by a species of a fungus or oomycete, which strain, culture, culture filtrate, spores, mycelia or metabolite directly or indirectly (i) inhibits the growth or reproduction of plant pathogens or (ii) kills plant pathogens. Also provided is a method for controlling fungi or oomycetes at a locus, a method for promoting growth in a plant and a method for controlling nematodes at a locus.

Abstract: A treatment liquid supply apparatus supplies a treatment liquid to a predetermined object for treatment of a substrate, and recovers the supplied treatment liquid for reuse. The apparatus includes: a first tank in which the treatment liquid to be supplied to the object is stored; a second tank in which the treatment liquid recovered from the object is stored; a transfer unit which transfers the treatment liquid from the second tank to the first tank; a first temperature regulating unit which regulates the temperature of the treatment liquid to be supplied from the first tank to the object; and a second temperature regulating unit which regulates the temperature of the treatment liquid to be transferred from the second tank to the first tank by the transfer unit.

Abstract: Provided is a process for isolating a catalyst from a solution having a copolymer and a catalyst dissolved therein, after performing copolymerization with the catalyst. More specifically the invention provides selection and application of an adsorbent to be used for the isolation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for efficiently producing both a low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream using a single air separation unit. The low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream can be produced with significant energy savings and can be used in variety of applications, including the extraction of precious metals from ore with aqueous oxidation reactors and high-pressure oxidation reactors.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for recovering molybdenum and/or other value metals (e.g., uranium) present in aqueous solutions from a large range of concentrations: from ppm to grams per liter via a solvent extraction process by extracting the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the aqueous solution by contacting it with an organic phase solution containing a phosphinic acid, stripping the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the organic phase solution by contacting it with an aqueous phase strip solution containing an inorganic compound and having a ?1.0 M concentration of free ammonia, and recovering the molybdenum and/or other value metal by separating it from the aqueous phase strip solution. When the molybdenum and/or other value metal are present only in low concentration, the processes can include an organic phase recycle step and/or an aqueous phase strip recycle step in order to concentrate the metal prior to recover.

Abstract: A method for recovering a rare earth element from a rare earth element-containing alloy, wherein a rare earth element is eluted by performing electrolysis in an electrolyte which contains a metal powder of a rare earth element-containing alloy. An object of this invention is to provide a method for extremely easily and efficiently recovering a rare earth element.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing Fe and Ni-containing material and Co-containing material from petrochemical desulfurization residue containing Fe and Ni or Fe and Co, manufacturing raw material for stainless steel using the Fe and Ni-containing material, and manufacturing ferro-nickel using the Fe and Ni-containing material. The method of manufacturing Ni and Fe-containing material includes acid-treating Ni and Fe-containing residue to remove alkali therefrom; drying the residue and heat treating the residue in a temperature range from 600° C. (degree Centigrade) to 1300° C.

Abstract: A unique production of titanium compounds and metal by sustainable methods using iron-titanium oxide starting material such as ilmenite, leucoxene, or rutile is described. Here the iron-titanium oxide compound is prepared by converting the iron portion of the compound to ferrous chloride at low temperatures by using close to stoichiometric amounts of sulfur and chlorine required for all the iron oxides and the other non-titanium oxides. The ferrous chloride thus formed is removed recovering a marketable product of ferrous chloride and the ‘sustainable’ titanium oxide starting material by additional process steps. This can be converted to ‘sustainable’ titanium metal, or titanium tetra-chloride by process shown herein for further conversions to titanium dioxide pigment by present chloride process or supplied to existing titanium sponge producers, benefitting them in having a ‘sustainable process’.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at clathrate (Type I) allotropes of silicon, germanium and tin. In method form, the present disclosure is directed at methods for forming clathrate allotropes of silicon, germanium or tin which methods lead to the formation of empty cage structures suitable for use as electrodes in rechargeable type batteries.

Abstract: Provided are a method of producing mixed powder comprising noble metal powder and oxide powder, wherein powder of ammonium chloride salt of noble metal and oxide powder are mixed, the mixed powder is subsequently roasted, and ammonium chloride is desorbed by the roasting process in order to obtain mixed powder comprising noble metal powder and oxide powder, and mixed powder comprising noble metal powder and oxide powder, wherein chlorine is less than 1000 ppm, nitrogen is less than 1000 ppm, 90% or more of the grain size of the noble metal powder is 20 ?m or less, and 90% or more of the grain size of the oxide powder is 12 ?m or less. Redundant processes in the production of noble metal powder are eliminated, and processes are omitted so that the inclusion of chlorine contained in the royal water and nitrogen responsible for hydrazine reduction reaction is eliminated as much as possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovery of a precious metal catalyst from an organosilicon product-containing liquid reaction medium containing precious metal catalyst.

Abstract: A method for recovering a metal, capable of recovering a metal easily without requiring the use of an organic medium, is provided. A complex between a chelating agent and a metal present in a sample is formed in a mixture prepared by mixing the chelating agent and the sample under pH conditions where the chelating agent can be insoluble in an aqueous medium. Then, the complex is recovered from the mixture, and further, the metal is recovered by dissolving the recovered complex in an aqueous medium under pH conditions that are different from the pH conditions where the chelating agent can be insoluble in an aqueous medium. By this method, a metal can be recovered easily without requiring the use of the use of an organic medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complex of a metal reducing substance and a culture medium component, which is produced in the culturing process of reducing bacteria and the use thereof. The complex of the present invention is a complex produced in the culturing process of reducing bacteria and a compound of a metal reducing substance and a culture medium component. The complex is an adsorbent for quickly and efficiently adsorbing ionic substances present in a solution, and also functions as a reducing agent for reducing specific precious metal ions or platinum-group metal ions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for obtaining metal values, typically base metals, platinum or gold from a feed material. In a first step of the process of the invention, feed material containing metal values is ground to a particle size d90 of 100 microns or less to form an ultra fine pulp. In a second step of the process of the invention, the ultra fine ground pulp from the first step is oxygenated by pumping it in multiple passes through an in-line high shear static oxygenation device (30), while re-circulating it on a tank (28) or any other vessel. The process of the invention results in a significant reduction in the required leach time, improved recoveries, reduced cyanide consumptions, a steadier gold tail, as well as reduced capital and operational expenditure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a solution containing zinc sulphate, so that at least one of the rare metals such as indium, gallium and germanium can be separated from it. A portion of the metals to be separated can be precipitated from zinc sulphate solution by neutralizing the acidic solution and at least a portion is cemented by means of metal powder. The solid precipitates that are formed can be combined and treated subsequently in some suitable way to leach out the desired metals.

Abstract: A carbothermic reduction method is provided for reducing a La-, Ce-, MM-, and/or Y-containing oxide in the presence of carbon and a source of a reactant element comprising Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, and/or P to form an intermediate alloy material including a majority of La, Ce, MM, and/or Y and a minor amount of the reactant element. The intermediate material is useful as a master alloy for in making negative electrode materials for a metal hydride battery, as hydrogen storage alloys, as master alloy additive for addition to a melt of commercial Mg and Al alloys, steels, cast irons, and superalloys; or in reducing Sm2O3 to Sm metal for use in Sm—Co permanent magnets.

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: Provided herein are processes for recovering molybdenum and/or other value metals (e.g., uranium) present in aqueous solutions from a large range of concentrations: from ppm to grams per liter via a solvent extraction process by extracting the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the aqueous solution by contacting it with an organic phase solution containing a phosphinic acid, stripping the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the organic phase solution by contacting it with an aqueous phase strip solution containing an inorganic compound and having a ?1.0 M concentration of free ammonia, and recovering the molybdenum and/or other value metal by separating it from the aqueous phase strip solution. When the molybdenum and/or other value metal are present only in low concentration, the processes can include an organic phase recycle step and/or an aqueous phase strip recycle step in order to concentrate the metal prior to recover.

Abstract: Methods of converting shaped templates into shaped metal-containing components, allowing for the production of freestanding, porous metal-containing replicas whose shapes and microstructures are derived from a shaped template, and partially or fully converting the shaped templates to produce metal-containing coatings on an underlying shaped template are described herein. Such coatings and replicas can be applied in a variety of fields including, but not limited to, catalysis, energy storage and conversion, and various structural or refractory materials and structural or refractory composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovery of a precious metal catalyst from an organosilicon product-containing liquid reaction medium containing precious metal catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a silver particle powder excellent in the dispersibility in a liquid organic medium having a low polarity, which comprises reducing a silver compound in an alcohol having a boiling point of from 80° C. to 200° C. or in a polyol having a boiling point of from 150 to 300° C., at a temperature of from 80° C. to 200° C. under reflux while maintaining the stream having a Reynolds number of not more than 3.70×104. The stream having a Reynolds number of not more than 3.70×104 can be maintained by stirring with a stirring power of not more than 5.68×108 W. According to the method, a silver particle powder having good low-temperature sinterability and good dispersibility and suitable for use for microwiring formation can be obtained at a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal recovery process in which carbonaceous material, such as preg robbing carbon, is floated after sulfide oxidation to separate the carbonaceous material from the precious metal.

Abstract: The invention covers the combination of utilizing the selectivity of an adsorbent to remove species from a liquid containing mixtures of ions and then subjecting the loaded resin to a chromatographic displacement utilizing the most selectively adsorbed species to displace the undesired co-adsorbing impurities. The technique can be used even when the most selectively adsorbed species is present as a minor constituent in the feed solution.

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: Porous leach pipe and method for leaching metals from mining ores. The porous pipe may be buried beneath the surface of a pile of mined ore, providing a more even and uniform distribution of the leaching solution across the pile, increasing metal yields, reducing water consumption and eliminating pooling and ponding of the solution on the top of the piles as occurs with prior art drip line emitters.

Abstract: A process for the selective recovery of Mo, V, Ni, Co and Al from spent hydroprocessing catalysts includes the steps of treating the spent catalysts to recovery metals, support as well as chemicals. The process steps include deoiling, decoking, washing, dissolving, complexing agent treatment, acid treatment and solvent extraction. This process uses limited steps than conventional processes by the use of ultrasonic agitation for metal extraction and the presence of a chelating agent particularly Ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetic Acid (EDTA). The process also discloses the compete recovery of the extracting agent EDTA with high purity for reuse.

Abstract: An improved method for recovering refractory gold from a material comprising treating the material to at least partially remove nitric acid-insoluble lead moieties.

Abstract: A magnetic metal powder having fluidity is provided which is composed of FePt nanoparticles synthesized by the polyol synthesis method that possess fct (face-centered tetragonal) structure and exhibit crystal magnetic anisotropy from immediately after synthesis. Specifically, there is provided a magnetic metal powder having fluidity which is composed of magnetic metal particles whose main components and the contents thereof are represented by the following general formula (1): [TXM1?X]YZ1?Y??(1), where T is one or both of Fe and Co, M is one or both of Pt and Pd, Z is at least one member selected from the group composed of Ag, Cu, Bi, Sb, Pb and Sn, X represents 0.3˜0.7, and Y represents 0.7˜1.

Abstract: A system for cooling and recuperative heating of a slurry in a metallurgical process which includes heat exchangers, pumps and autoclaves is described herein. The heat exchangers use a non-scaling common liquid heat transfer medium. Preferably, the heat exchangers are tube-in-tube heat exchangers with 3 to 7 slurry tubes in each heat exchanger. An advantage of this system is that it does not use flash tanks. To minimize abrasive wear on impinged surfaces, the velocity of the slurry is not more than 5 meters per second. The slurry comprises a solids concentration of 25% to 50%. Preferably, the pumps in the system are float-type pumps in which the driven liquid from the discharge pumps is also used as the drive liquid for the feed pumps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovery of a metal using plants. The method for recovery of a metal involves bringing a protonema of a moss plant belonging to the family Funariaceae into contact with a metal-containing solution in which a metal(s) having an ionization tendency lower than that of silver is dissolved.

Abstract: A method of reducing or preventing the amount of iron sludge or precipitate that forms as a result of the recovery of silver from chemical solutions, such as a standard photographic solution. The method generally involves the introduction of a source of a conjugate organic base, such as a weak organic acid like citric acid or a salt of the conjugate organic base like a citrate salt, to the chemical fluid either before or during the silver recovery process. Preferably the source of conjugate organic base is introduced by combining it with a binder to form a time release cake or placing it in a container that has a semipermeable membrane that maintains the concentration of the conjugate organic base in the chemical fluid from about 0.2 to about 78 milimolar over a period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating and partially returning transition metals and/or catalytically effective complex compounds thereof from a reaction mixture by combining one at least one-stage membrane separation and an adsorption, wherein a current comprising a catalyst, comprising a transition metal, is divided over at least one one-stage membrane separation step in a transition metal enriched retentate stream that resupplies the reaction mixture and a transition metal depleted permeate stream and the transition metal depleted permeate stream is further supplied to an adsorption step. The invention further relates to a method for producing tridecanals.

Abstract: A noble metal adsorption agent includes algae or residue of algae having an amino group as a functional group. A noble metal is retrieved by a method including: adsorbing the noble metal on the noble metal adsorption agent; and retrieving the noble metal. The noble metal is solved in a liquid. Thus, by using the noble metal adsorption agent, the noble metal is selectively retrieved.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for refining iron from high-phosphorus content iron ores. The process involves mixing a high-phosphorus iron oxide ore and an alkaline solution of pH between about 12.5 and 13.5, screening the mixture by gravity to separate an alkaline-high-phosphorus solution from a low-phosphorus iron ore; and treating the low-phosphorus iron ore with lime and a natural gas.

Abstract: A method of biotreating and recovering metal values from metal-bearing refractrory sulfide ore using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method, the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 ?m. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The solid material is biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing magnetic nanocrystals by using a biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to a magnetic material.

Abstract: A process of water-granulating copper smelting slag can readily suppress elution of As from the copper smelting slag. A process of water-granulating a copper smelting slag with granulation water in a circulating system, includes granulating the copper smelting slag with the granulation water; settling suspended solids from the granulation water circulating in the system in a settling tank followed by discharging part of the granulation water through the settling tank from the system; and feeding supplementary water having a concentration of As of 0.01 mg/L or less into the system in such an amount that the total amount of the granulation water circulating in the system is kept constant; wherein the amount of granulation water discharged through the settling tank is such that As eluted from the copper smelting slag after water granulation is 0.01 mg/L or less.

Abstract: A strip-like or sheet-like valve metal or valve metal suboxide structure which has a transverse dimension of from 5 to 100 nm.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of particulate from water using ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing Fe and Ni-containing material and Co-containing material from petrochemical desulfurization residue containing Fe and Ni or Fe and Co, manufacturing raw material for stainless steel using the Fe and Ni-containing material, and manufacturing ferro-nickel using the Fe and Ni-containing material. The method of manufacturing Ni and Fe-containing material includes acid-treating Ni and Fe-containing residue to remove alkali therefrom; drying the residue and heat treating the residue in a temperature range from 600° C. (degree Centigrade) to 1300° C.

Abstract: A fuel for splitting water into hydrogen and an oxide component comprises a substantially solid pellet formed from a solid-like mixture of a solid-state source material capable of oxidizing in water to form hydrogen and a passivation surface layer of the oxide component, and a passivation preventing agent that is substantially inert to water in an effective amount to prevent passivation of the solid-state material during oxidation. The pellets may be introduced into water or other suitable oxidizer in a controlled rate to control the rate of reaction of the source material with the oxidizer, and thereby control the rate of formation of hydrogen. Methods are described for producing the solid-like mixture in varying weight percent of source material to passivation preventing agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mercury and precious metal recovery are provided. The apparatus includes a granulometric separator for separating a feed by particle size; a centrifugal concentrator in flow communication with the granulometric separator for isolating and concentrating an elemental mercury-containing fraction of the feed; and an accumulator tank for collecting elemental mercury from the elemental mercury-containing fraction. The accumulator tank has an inlet in flow communication with the centrifugal concentrator; an outlet; a plurality of baffles defining a serpentine flow path to slow the flow of the elemental mercury-containing fraction from the inlet to the outlet; and a mercury accumulation area for collecting elemental mercury settling from the elemental mercury-containing fraction.

Abstract: When starting raw material powder is passed through a pair of rolls (2a), plastic working is applied to the starting raw material powder, and the crystal grain diameter of a metal or alloy constituting a matrix of the powder particle after processed is miniaturized. According to the thus provided alloy powder raw material, the maximum size of the powder particle is not more than 10 mm and the minimum size of the powder particle is not less than 0.1 mm, and the maximum crystal grain diameter of the metal or alloy constituting the matrix of the powder particle is not more than 30 ?m.

Abstract: A method of conducting a bioleaching process including the steps of forming a main heap, culturing at least one microorganism which exhibits bioleaching activity in a predetermined temperature range, monitoring the temperature in the main heap, which is a result, at least, of microbial leaching activity and inoculating the heap with the cultured microorganism at least before the temperature reaches the predetermined range.

Abstract: A process for recovering metals involving ion exchange comprising the step of recovering metal species from an ion exchange resin by elution of the resin with an eluent system containing (i) a first sulphite component comprising at least one of sulphite and bisulphite ion; and (ii) a second eluting component comprising any species which favours the ion exchange or desorption of a metal species from the resin during elution wherein the presence of the sulphite component (i) increases metal elution efficiency relative to the situation where an eluent comprises the second eluting component alone.

Abstract: A method by which the amount of nickel contained in an alloy having a composition represented by Sn—X—Ni can be regulated. The method of nickel concentration regulation comprises adding phosphorus to Sn—X—Ni in a molten state (wherein X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Zn, Cu, Bi, Au, Ti, Ge, Ga, Si, and Ce), holding the mixture at 250-400° C., and removing the resultant dross floating on the surface of the liquid phase and containing a P—Ni compound and a P—Sn—Ni compound. An example of X is copper, and the content thereof may be 0.3-5 wt %. The phosphorus may be added in the state of a Sn—P alloy. The upper limit of the amount of the phosphorus to be added may be about half the nickel amount in terms of atomic amount.

Abstract: The invention publishes a process to increase the bioleaching speed of ores or concentrates of sulfide metal species in heaps, tailing dams, dumps, or other on-site operations. The process is characterized by the continuous inoculation of the ores or concentrates with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type, together with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type, with or without native microorganisms, in such a way that the total concentration of microorganisms in the continuous inoculation flow is of around 1×107 cells/ml to 5,6×107 cells/ml. In particular, the invention publishes the continuous inoculation of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Licanantay DSM 17318 together with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Wenelen DSM 16786 microorganisms, or with other native microorganisms at a concentration higher than 5×107 cells/ml.

Abstract: A method for recovering at least one platinum group metal (PGM) species from a feed product selected from the group consisting of chromite ore, chromite ore concentrate and PGM concentrate comprising the steps of: mixing the feed with at least one salt so as to produce a mixture, whereby the concentration of salt in the mixture is sufficient to convert at least one PGM species into a corresponding PGM chloride salt; and contacting the mixture with gaseous chlorine and CO at a temperature between about 240° C. and 800° C. to induce the conversion of at least one species of PGM into a solid material containing a corresponding PGM chloride salt, whereby said chloride salt of at least one PGM species can be recovered.

Abstract: A nanoparticle powder of silver has an average particle diameter measured by TEM observation (DTEM) of 30 nm or less, an aspect ratio of less than 1.5, an X-ray crystallite size (Dx) of 30 nm or less, a degree of single crystal grain {(DTEM)/(Dx)} of 5.0 or less, and a CV value {100×standard deviation (?)/number average diameter (DTEM)} of less than 40%. The nanoparticle powder of silver has adhered to the particle surface thereof an organic protective agent having a molecular weight of 100 to 400. The nanoparticle powder is obtained by subjecting a silver salt to reduction treatment at a temperature of 85 to 150° C. in an alcohol having a boiling point of 85 to 150° C. and in the co-presence of an organic protective agent.