Abstract: In the hydrometallurgical treatment of metal-bearing ores and particularly the beneficiation of iron-containing titaniferous ores wherein the ore is subjected to leaching with a dilute aqueous acid solution in a digestion zone, there is provided an improvement which comprises initiating and maintaining the mixture of ore and acid in a state of boiling. Initiation and maintenance of the mixture in a state of boiling is accomplished through the venting of the digestion zone to remove process vapors substantially in the form of water vapor. Initiation of the boiling of the mixture of ore and acid solution in the digestion zone is commenced when the temperature of the mixture and consumption of the free acid solution in said mixture have reached predetermined values. The initiation and maintenance of the mixture in a state of boiling results in an increased rate of dissolution of the contaminant values in the metal-bearing ore.

Abstract: Sodium metaborate is recovered from a boron-containing first feed solution by extraction of the first feed solution with a 1,3-diol, followed by re-extraction with a solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. Boric acid is recovered from a boron-containing second feed solution by extraction of the second feed solution with a water-insoluble aromatic polyol, followed by re-extraction with mineral acid. The boric acid and sodium metaborate are reacted to form sodium tetraborate. By exchanging sodium ions in the polyol extract with potassium ions, the potassium salts of the mineral acid may be recovered from the polyol as a by-product.

Abstract: A method of removing aqueously soluble salt by-products produced by the treatment of raw titanium dioxide particles to add a finish thereto. The finished titanium dioxide particles with the salt are subjected to demineralization with mixed bed ion exchange resins to produce finished titanium dioxide particles substantially free of salt and salt forms of ion exchange resins. The finished titanium dioxide particles are recovered and the salt forms of ion exchange resins are regenerated to produce recoverable salt and reusable resins.

Abstract: A method for ballasting a vessel in which a sequence of subsets of ballast tanks, each subset comprising three tanks of the totality of ballast tanks of the vessel, is used to arrive at a final ballast configuration. For each subset in the sequence excepting the last subset, ballast adjustments are repetitively selected and assigned to members of the subset until a selected ballast adjustment will completely fill or completely empty the ballast tank to which the adjustment is assigned. Thereafter, a new subset is selected. In the final subset of the sequence ballast adjustments are repetitively selected and assigned to members of the subset until the total weight of the vessel and ballast, including the ballast assignments, is within a preselected tolerance of a preselected, desired total weight for the vessel and ballast.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of particles which become airborne during either or both the dismantling and moving of structures wherein a foam is sprayed on the structures prior to either or both the dismantling and moving of such structures.

Abstract: A valve for injecting fluid into a conduit carrying a slurry subject to separation to form deposits capable of plugging openings into the conduit. The valve comprises a valve body that is sealed to the conduit about an aperture formed through the wall of the conduit to receive the fluid to be injected and the valve member of the valve includes a punch portion that extends through the injection aperture to the flow passage, when the valve is closed, to provide a clear channel into the conduit, when the valve is opened, through deposits which might have formed on portions of the valve adjacent the conduit.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic heavy metal species and sulfate ions in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble sulfate ions to hydrogen sulfide and reaction between said hydrogen sulfide and water soluble ionic heavy metal species to water insoluble heavy metal species which are substantially retained on the porous matrix and which are recoverable therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentration of water soluble ionic selenium species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one bacteria of the genus Clostridium. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow, and contact between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels. The process provides for the conversion of the water soluble ionic selenium species to water insoluble selenium metal, which metal is retained on the porous matrix and can be recovered therefrom.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the concentrations of water soluble ionic selenium species, sulfate ion and ionic heavy metal species in aqueous waste solutions containing the same. The process comprises passing said waste solution through a treatment zone containing a porous matrix on which are retained populations of at least one anaerobic bacteria of the genus Clostridium and at least one anaerobic bacteria selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genera Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum. The passing of said aqueous solution through said treatment zone is carried out at predetermined rates of flow and contacts between said solution and said bacteria is conducted under anaerobic conditions and at predetermined pH and temperature levels.

Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a product material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-product material mixture is treated to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in product material. The first liquid phase is then intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions, in a static or dynamic mixer. The steam-liquid phase mixture is then treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in product material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: A nailer for nailing at least one nail plate to a member. More particularly, the nailer includes a first and a second hammer assembly, the first hammer assembly being adapted to nail a nail plate to one end of a railroad tie and the second hammer assembly being adapted to nail a nail plate to the opposite end of the railroad tie for use in repairing railroad ties.

Abstract: A method of separating a process material comprising oils, resins and asphaltenes into at least three fractions. The process material is mixed in a mixing zone with a solvent selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons having between about 3 and about 8 carbon atoms. The process material-solvent mixture is introduced into a first separation zone to form an asphaltene-rich first heavy fraction and a resin-rich intermediate fraction, separated by a first liquid-liquid interface, and to form a first light fraction, rich in solvent and oils, separated from the intermediate fraction by a second liquid-liquid interface.The first heavy fraction and the intermediate fraction are withdrawn from the first separation zone. The first light fraction is introduced into a second separation zone to separate a second heavy fraction, rich in oils, and a second light fraction, rich in solvent.

Abstract: Manganese sulfate solutions of improved purity are prepared by digesting a combination of a reduced manganese ore with an aqueous acid solution in the presence of a particulate potassium-iron salt byproduct. The salt byproduct is the salt byproduct formed, in situ, by reaction of potassium impurity with ferric ion during digestion of a combination of a reduced manganese ore and an aqueous acid solution.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of calcium chloride produced in the conversion of metal chloride by-products of chlorination to hydrous metal oxides. The hydrous metal oxides and other by-products of chlorination are insoluble in an aqueous solution of at least about 75 weight percent calcium chloride having a generally neutral pH and temperature between about 174 degrees centigrade and about 200 degrees centigrade. Calcium chloride also is readily recovered from the above solution.

Abstract: A process for preparing manganese sulfate solutions having reduced concentrations of potassium impurity is disclosed wherein a digestion mixture of a reduced manganese ore, a source of water soluble aluminum ions, a source of water soluble ferric ions and an aqueous acid solution is prepared, having a solution pH ranging from about 0.5 to about 3.5. The mixture is then digested at a temperature sufficient to produce a mixed digestion product comprising a liquid phase of a manganese sulfate solution and a solid phase of digested ore residue and a particulate complex salt by-product. The liquid phase of manganese sulfate solution is then recovered from the mixed digestion product. An additional feature of this process involves conducting the digestion of the digestion mixture in the presence of at least one complex salt of the general formula:MFe.sub.n Al.sub.3-n (SO.sub.4).sub.2 (OH).sub.6where M is Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ or NH.sub.4.sup.+ and n is a number ranging from about 1 to about 3.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of manganese sulfate solutions having reduced levels of potassium impurity comprising blending a reduced manganese ore, an added source of water soluble aluminum ions and an aqueous acid solution to form a digestion mixture, digesting said mixture, preferably in the presence of crystals of a complex potassium-aluminum salt to form a mixed reaction product containing a liquid phase of manganese sulfate solution and recovering the liquid phase of manganese sulfate solution from said mixed reaction product.

Abstract: A production monitoring system wherein the velocity of fluid flowing through a monitored flowline is plotted with respect to time for a period of time sufficient to establish a repeatable pattern (production flow characteristics profile) and wherein an alarm value and an alarm delay time are determined from the production flow characteristics profile. In one aspect, the velocity of the fluid flowing through the monitored flowline is detected and an output indication indicating a problem production condition is provided in response to a detected velocity below the alarm value for a period of time in excess of the alarm delay time.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting in a fluid separation zone for improving the separation of fluids of different densities. The apparatus includes a distributor mounted within the separation zone provided with fluid openings having packing means disposed thereabout.

Abstract: A method for electrodepositing metallic manganese in an electrolytic cell wherein a water soluble natural guargum and a polyacrylamide based polymer additive, natural or synthetic, is added to the electrolyte feed solution.

Abstract: A method for continuously controlling the formation of crystal fines in a continuous crystallizing process in which product crystals are produced in a crystallizing zone from crystallizable material in a mother liquor, and in which product crystals are thereafter recovered. The invention is practiced by adding a flocculant, specific to the crystallizable material, to the mother liquor at a rate effective to cause flocculation of particles of crystallizable material in the mother liquor. One embodiment of the invention is practiced in a process for producing sodium bicarbonate crystals by adding anionic polyacrylate and/or polyacrylamide polymers to a sodium carbonate-containing feed brine received in a carbonator.