Abstract: Thermoplastic dispersions of fluoropolymers are intimately mixed with an aqueous slurry of crocidolite asbestos at very low pH, the resulting aqueous slurry mixture is formed into diaphragms for use in a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell while being de-watered, and heat-bonded.

Abstract: Magnesium values are selectively recovered from salt brines, even salt brines which contain competing ions such as Li.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, and Sr.sup.++, by contacting the brine with an anion exchange resin which has dispersed therein a microcrystalline structure of the formula MgX.sub.2.2Al(OH).sub.3, where X is a halide.

Abstract: Ion retardation resins particularly useful for desalting caustic solutions are prepared by employing ion exchange resins consisting essentially of a mixture of a reticular, insoluble, cross-linked styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer with an entrapped non-leachable polymer of acrylic acid contained therein and where the amount of carboxylic acid groups on the polyacrylic acid are in substantial excess over the amount needed to react with all the quaternary ammonium groups which are nuclear substituted on the styrene copolymer chains.

Abstract: An anion exchange resin, containing Al(OH).sub.3 suspended therein, is reacted with aq. LiOH to form microcrystalline LiOH.2Al(OH).sub.3 which is then reacted with a halogen acid or halide salt to form microcrystalline LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3. The resin, after having a portion of the LiX eluted by using an aqueous wash, is used to recover Li.sup.+ values from aqueous brines.

Abstract: In an electrolytic chlor-alkali cell, or bank of cells, having a plurality of electrolyte compartments containing electrode pairs (anodes and cathodes) and wherein a hydraulically-impermeable membrane separates the electrolyte compartments into catholyte portions and anolyte portions, said cell or cells being employed to produce chlorine at the anodes and caustic and hydrogen at the cathodes by the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride electrolyte, improved operation is attained by flowing anolyte liquor from anolyte portion to anolyte portion, sequentially, while simultaneously, and in the opposite direction, flowing catholyte liquor from catholyte portion to catholyte portion, sequentially. The membrane substantially prevents Cl.sup.- from entering the catholyte liquor from the anolyte, and a high purity caustic, substantially free of salt, is produced.

Abstract: Halogenated hydrocarbon materials are burned in an internally-fired horizontal fire-tube boiler and the heat of combustion directly produces saturated steam. Halogen values may be recovered from the combustion gases, e.g., by being absorbed in water. Thus halogenated hydrocarbon material which may need to be disposed of, is beneficially converted to energy and useful product.

Abstract: Small rotund salt-coated magnesium (or Mg alloy) granules, useful as an inoculant material or additive for molten metals, are prepared by adding a boron-containing dispersing agent to a molten salt mixture containing molten magnesium (or Mg alloy) stirring to effect good dispersion, and cooling the molten mixture to effect freezing of the magnesium as small rotund globules dispersed in a solid friable matrix. The frozen salt matrix is then pulverized to release the magnesium globules from the matrix, said globules still carrying a beneficial coating of the salt material.

Abstract: Magnesium values are selectively recovered from salt brines, even salt brines which contain competing ions such as Li.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, and Sr.sup.++, by contacting the brine with an anion exchange resin which has dispersed therein a microcrystalline structure of the formula MgX.sub.2.2Al(OH).sub.3, where X is a halide.

Abstract: Metal beads, e.g., magnesium beads, or Mg alloy beads, having a high degree of rotundity, and having a thin coating of sludge or slag ingredients, are recovered from entrapment in a friable contiguous material of sludge or slag material by (a) a primary milling of the friable matrix in a hammer mill or impact mill, (b) screening the material to collect the desired particle sizes, (c) attriting the material in a secondary milling operation to further, and gently, grind sludge material from around the beads, and (d) separating the rotund beads from the pulverized matrix material by using a shape-classifier, such as a slanted shaker table. The material may be treated beforehand by melting the metal-containing sludge or slag, adding a flux or emulsifier material with stirring to cause dispersion of the metal into a relatively narrow particle size range and then freezing the molten mixture. The invention is especially useful in the case of Mg beads, since Mg beads are malleable and pyrophoric.

Abstract: Lithium is preferentially extracted from brine containing Li salts along with salts of other metals, e.g. Na, Ca, Mg, K, and/or B, by contacting the brine with a particulate anion exchange resin having suspended therein a microcrystalline form of LiX.sup.. 2A1 (OH).sub.3, where X=halide.

Abstract: Hydrophobic silica, containing sorbed HF values, is used to remove oil from water by sorption of the oil onto the silica and then separating the oil/silica mixture from the water. Furthermore, the present invention pertains to recovering the silica from the oil by aqueous treatment in such a manner that the hydrophobicity of the silica is overcome and the silica becomes hydrophilic, thereby releasing the oil.

Abstract: The electrolysis of brine in electrolytic chlor-alkali diaphragm cells is performed using polymeric fluorocarbon-bonded mixtures of chrysotile asbestos and crocidolite asbestos as the diaphragm material. These diaphragms are particularly effective in permitting operation of the cells at low pH, thereby extending the life of graphite anodes.

Abstract: Electrodes particularly suitable for use as anodes in electrolytic cells are prepared by coating an electrically-conductive substrate with a thermally-decomposable inorganic cobalt compound and then thermally oxidizing the inorganic cobalt compound under conditions at which the single-metal spinel, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, is formed.

Abstract: Magnesium metal is produced in a two-stage chemicothermal process employing metallothermic reduction of MgO using Al metal, present in an Al alloy, as the reducing metal in one stage according to the reaction2Al + 3MgO .sup..DELTA. 3Mg + Al.sub.2 O.sub.3and employing a carbothermic reduction,Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 + 3C .sup..DELTA. 2Al + 3COin the other stage to regenerate the Al metal for recycling back to the metallothermic reduction step. The process substantially avoids the reversion reaction, Mg + CO .fwdarw. MgO + C, by separating the formation of Mg from that of CO (carbon monoxide) and does not rely on having to remove slag from the reactors.

Abstract: Halogenated hydrocarbon materials are burned in an internally-fired horizontal fire-tube boiler and the heat of combustion directly produces saturated steam. Halogen values may be recovered from the combustion gases, e.g., by being absorbed in water. Thus halogenated hydrocarbon material which may need to be disposed of, is beneficially converted to energy and useful product.

Abstract: Magnesium values are selectively recovered from salt brines, even salt brines which contain competing ions such as Li.sup.+, Ca.sup.++, and Sr.sup.++, by contacting the brine with an anion exchange resin which has dispersed therein a microcrystalline structure of the formula MgX.sub.2.2Al(OH).sub.3, where X is a halide.

Abstract: An anion exchange resin, containing Al(OH).sub.3 suspended therein, is reacted with aq. LiOH to form microcrystalline LiOH.2Al(OH).sub.3 which is then reacted with a halogen acid or halide salt to form microcrystalline LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3. The resin, after having a portion of the LiX eluted by using an aqueous wash, is used to recover Li.sup.+ values from aqueous brines.

Abstract: Lithium is preferentially extracted from brine containing Li salts along with salts of other metals, e.g. Na, Ca, Mg, K, and/or B, by contacting the brine with a particulate anion exchange resin having suspended therein a microcrystalline form of LiX.2Al(OH).sub.3, where X = halide.