Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical process for generating or recovering hydrochloric acid from metal salt solutions such as acidic metal salt solutions and saline solutions. The process is useful for treating acidic salt solutions that are waste products from mineral processing or other industrial processes such as metal finishing, water softening, water treatment, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, coal seam gas extraction, shale gas extraction and shale oil extraction, to generate high purity hydrochloric acid, metal salts and recycled water that may be re-used in the industrial process. An apparatus for performing the electrochemical process is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a cellulose based sorbent material for the removal of water soluble contaminants from water and other aqueous solutions comprising reacting one or more biomass based cellulose containing raw materials with dilute phosphoric acid where the reaction mixture containing said cellulose containing materials is heated to a reaction temperature and after completion of the reaction time, separation of the dilute phosphoric acid solution from the remaining insoluble raw material, neutralization of the solution by means of a suitable neutralizing agent resulting in precipitation of the modified cellulose, and then separating, washing and removing excess water from the resultant precipitate.

Abstract: An electric current is passed through an acidic solution containing one or more soluble metal salts in an electrolytic cell divided by an anion exchange membrane. The acidic solution is fed into the cathode compartment whereby the passage of electric current at sufficient voltage causes the generation of hydrogen at the cathode. This gives rise to a localized very highly polarized region at the cathode resulting in a localized effective high relative pH. This causes the metal cation species to precipitate as a hydroxide (or oxide) species and electroadsorption/electrocoagulation causes the finely precipitated hydroxide (or oxide) species to adhere to the cathode. Electrodialytic transport of the liberated acid anions across the anion exchange membrane selectively removes the acid anions. Oxygen and hydrogen ions are formed by hydrolysis as the counter-reaction at the anode. Hydrogen ions combine with the anions to regenerate sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for producing a cellulose based sorbent material for the removal of water soluble contaminants from water and other aqueous solutions comprising reacting one or more biomass based cellulose containing raw materials with dilute phosphoric acid where the reaction mixture containing said cellulose containing materials is heated to a reaction temperature and after completion of the reaction time, separation of the dilute phosphoric acid solution from the remaining insoluble raw material, neutralisation of the solution by means of a suitable neutralising agent resulting in precipitation of the modified cellulose, and then separating, washing and removing excess water from the resultant precipitate.