Abstract: An alloy for galvanizing steel comprises, by weight, aluminum in the amount of at least 0.001% to 0.007%, preferably 0.002 to 0.004%, tin in the amount of at least 0.5% to a maximum of 2%, preferably at least 0.8%, and one of an element selected from the group consisting of vanadium in the amount of at least 0.02%, preferably 0.05% to 0.12%, titanium in the amount of at least 0.03%, preferably 0.06% to 0.10%, and both vanadium and titanium together in the amount of at least 0.02% vanadium and at least 0.01% titanium for a total of at least 0.03%, preferably 0.05% to 0.15%, the balance zinc containing up to 1.3 wt. % lead. In another embodiment, the alloy comprises, by weight, aluminum in the amount of at least 0.001%, tin in the amount of 0.5% to 2%, and vanadium and nickel together in the amount of at least 0.02% vanadium and at least 0.02% nickel to a maximum of 0.15% vanadium and nickel collectively. Titanium may be added in an amount, by weight, of at least 0.01% titanium to a collective maximum of 0.

Abstract: A method of transforming a molten material or melt into discrete solid particles comprises forming the melt into prills by passing the melt through a perforated member, dropping the prills onto a bed of powdered material, such as silica flour, to coat the prills with the material in the bed and permitting the prills to cool, thereby to solidify into discrete solid particles. In one embodiment, the melt comprises at least two components such as elemental sulphur and an olefinic hydrocarbon, which are subjected to a chemical reaction, such as the polymerization of the olefinic hydrocarbon with the sulphur to form a sulphur polymer stabilizer. A method of producing a sulphur concrete incorporating the sulphur polymer stabilizer is also provided.

Abstract: A method of selectively leaching zinc from a source material containing zinc in sulphide form and iron, comprises the steps of subjecting the source material to bioleaching with a strict sulphur oxidizing micro organism or a mixed culture of sulphur oxidizing and iron oxidizing micro organisms, in the presence of a nutrient solution containing less than about 15 mg/L phosphate ions. In another embodiment, the source material is in the form of a slurry having a solids concentration of at least about 25% on a weight per volume basis and a nutrient solution containing from about 1 mg/L to less than about 100 mg/L ammonium ions, from about 0.5 mg/L to less than about 40 mg/L magnesium ions and from about 2 mg/L to less than about 60 mg/L phosphate ions.

Abstract: A process for the recycling of scrap metal, such as copper wire, comprises the steps of combining the scrap metal with a concentrate of a metal similar to the scrap metal in a pressure vessel (10) and subjecting the metal concentrate to pressure oxidation along with the scrap metal. In one example the scrap metal comprises copper wire and the metal concentrate comprises a copper matte. An apparatus (16) for feeding the scrap metal to the autoclave (10), without interrupting the operation of the autoclave (10) is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping, guiding and transporting opposite longitudinal side edges of slit, deformable strip for forming expanded mesh sheet. One chain of each of two pairs of opposed endless chains has a longitudinal recess adjacent a longitudinal planar side edge of the strip for receiving the planar edge of the strip therein and the opposed chain of each of said pairs has a plurality of equispaced sharp projections for penetrating the longitudinal planar side edge of the strip whereby the said edge is effectively gripped between the opposed chains during expansion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of electrowinning a metal from an electrolyte comprises the steps of measuring the redox potential of the electrolyte to obtain a measured value, comparing the measured value with a predetermined optimum value and adding a redox agent to the electrolyte to adjust the redox potential of the electrolyte to the optimum value. One embodiment of apparatus (10) for carrying out the method comprises a redox potential measuring device (20) having a housing for the flow of electrolyte therethrough and including a pair of electrodes (22, 24) for measuring the redox potential of an electrolyte flowing through the housing to produce an output measurement value and a redox controller (26) responsive to the output measurement value for controlling the addition of redox agent to the electrolyte of an electrolysis cell (12).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting plates from two rows of plates travelling side-by-side on a moving conveyor comprising inverting plates sequentially in one row of plates and merging said two rows of plates by depositing a plate from one row onto a plate in the other row to form a single row of double plates each having an inverted plate, and assembling a single row of said double plates into stacks. The double plates are assembled into stacks preferably by shingling the double plates to assemble a plurality of overlapped double plates, stacking shingled double plates to form horizontal stacks, turning each horizontal stack onto a side or end of the stack to form a vertically-stacked bundle, and rocking the vertically-stacked bundle on the side or end to align the plates on the side or end, rotating the bundle vertically through 90.degree.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a fluidized bed in a fluidized bed roasting process for metal sulphide concentrate comprises the step of controlling the particle size distribution of the particulate material in the bed so that a minimum amount of no less than about 30% of the concentrate falls in a size range of from about 100 to about 420 microns. The minimum amount preferably falls in the range of from about 35% to about 40%. In one embodiment of the invention the particle size distribution is controlled by maintaining the amount of lead in the concentrate in a range from about 3% to about 4%, preferably 3.7% to about 3.8%. In another embodiment the particle size distribution is controlled by using a pelletized feed or by the combination of the steps of using a pelletized feed and regulating the lead content of the concentrate.

Abstract: A method for concurrently transporting and leaching metal values from an ore or concentrate containing said metal values from an originating site such as an elevated site to a delivery site comprising the steps of crushing and/or grinding the ore or concentrate to form a particulate having a size range suitable for transport by gravity or a combination of pumping and gravity as a solid constituent in an aqueous slurry, forming an aqueous slurry of from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight of said particulate in an aqueous medium, and adjusting said aqueous slurry to contain an effective amount of a lixiviant for dissolution of said metal values into the aqueous medium.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel method for purifying calomel (Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2). More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel process for treating impure calomel (Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2) to produce a highly purified calomel product that passes American Chemical Society requirements for calomel assay and mercuric chloride contamination. A process for treating impure calomel to produce purified calomel comprising: (a) incorporating impure calomel into an aqueous slurry; (b) oxidizing the aqueous slurry with an oxidizing agent to form soluble mercuric chloride; (c) filtering the aqueous slurry containing soluble mercuric chloride into liquid and solid components; (d) heating the liquid component to greater than 70.degree. C; (e) treating the liquid component with a reducing agent to precipitate purified calomel; and (f) separating the precipitated purified calomel from the filtrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel geo-electrochemical sampling electrode and process. More specifically, this invention pertains to a novel ion collection electrode, and process, which can be used in the remote sampling of ions contained in ground water. This invention consists of a geo-electrochemical sampling apparatus comprising a hollow electrically non-conductive casing; an opening in the casing for enabling ions to be transported from the exterior of the casing to the interior of the casing, a cathode positioned in the interior of the casing, and electrically connected to the exterior of the casing; and, ion exchange resin contained in the interior of the casing between the cathode and the opening.

Abstract: A zinc-aluminum casting alloy composed of 9 to 12% by weight aluminum, 0.6 to 1% by weight copper, 0.02 to 0.05% by weight magnesium, balance high-grade zinc. In order to improve the tribologocal properties of that material for use in sliding surface bearings, the material contains also 0.1 to 1.5% by weight silicon and has been made by continuous casting.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel geo-electro-chemical sampling electrode and process. More specifically, this invention pertains to a novel ion collection electrode, and process, which can be used in the remote sampling of ions contained in ground water. This invention consists of a geo-electrochemical sampling apparatus comprising a hollow electrically non-conductive casing; an opening in the casing for enabling ions to be transported from the exterior of the casing to the interior of the casing, a cathode positioned in the interior of the casing, and electrically connected to the exterior of the casing; and, ion exchange resin contained in the interior of the casing between the cathode and the opening.

Abstract: A process is provided for the removal of fluoride from a metal sulphate solution, such as a zinc sulphate solution, which presents an option for the disposal of waste treatment sludge from the aluminum anodizing industry. The fluoride is removed from metal sulphate solution by mixing the sludge with the solution for a predetermined period of time and then performing a solid/liquid separation.

Abstract: The strip is cast on a chilled casting surface of a rotating drum from a pool of the molten metal contained in a tundish having a graphite lip insert seated therein cooperating with, the casting surface adjacent to the tundish to form and contain the pool of the molten metal. The tundish preferably contains a feed chamber, a return chamber, and a diverting chamber, the feed chamber and the diverting chamber effectively removing turbulence from the molten feed and the return chamber having a vertically adjustable weir dividing the return chamber from the diverting chamber for controlling the surface level of the pool of molten metal in the diverting chamber and the lip insert and for diverting a flow of molten metal to the return chamber. A preferred lead alloy is a low antimony-lead alloy which is cast into strip and is subjected to a heat treatment to permit expansion and shaping in subsequent production of expanded mesh battery grids.

Abstract: Reinforcing steel bar (rebar) in reinforced concrete is inhibited from corrosion by attaching a zinc wire, such as by welding, soldering or co-extrusion, along the length of the rebar. Zinc wire attached to the rebar provides galvanic protection to the steel to prevent iron corrosion and subsequent deterioration of the reinforced concrete.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of free-flowing, non-caking, stable granular ammonium sulphate containing micronutrients comprising granulating ammonium sulphate in the presence of a granulating aid which is stripped zinc electrolyte derived from an electrolytic zinc operation. An effective amount of stripped zinc electrolyte is used to yield a final ammonium sulphate product containing about 0.4% to 1.3% by weight zinc, up to about 0.16% by weight magnesium and up to about 0.09% by weight manganese. The stripped zinc electrolyte, typically containing 20-25 g/L zinc, 2-4 g/L magnesium, 1-2 g/L manganese and sulphuric acid, may be added during reaction of ammonia and sulphuric acid prior to granulation. A free-flowing, non-caking, hard, ammonium sulphate granular fertilizer having a pH of about 2 to 7.5 as 10% solution, containing by weight 0.4% to 1.3% by weight zinc, up to about 0.16% by weight magnesium and up to about 0.09% by weight manganese is produced.

Abstract: Lead-acid battery plates are made by preparing alloys of lead with at least one additive metal that can be leached with an acid or an alkali from the alloy leaving a porous permeable lead matrix. The additive metal must be evenly and finely dispersed in the lead. A number of additive metals can be used but the additive metal is preferably magnesium or zinc and magnesium, each in a preferred amount in the range of about 3 to 15% by weight. The lead alloy is prepared by casting, preferably by rapid solidification casting, and subsequently pulverizing the alloy. The resulting lead alloy particles are applied to a conventional lead alloy battery grid by pressing, causing the formation of a coherent plate of grid and alloy. The plate is subsequently leached in an alkali or an acid which causes the substantial removal of additive metal from the alloy leaving a coherent porous permeable layer of substantially lead as active material. The preferred leachant is sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Cyanide-containing solution is subjected to two-stage membrane electrolysis in units each comprising a cathode, an anode and one or more bipolar electrodes interspaced with cationic membranes defining alternating anode and cathode compartments containing anolyte and catholyte, respectively. Electrolysis causes generation of hydrogen cyanide in the recirculating first stage anolyte, and alkali metal hydroxide is formed in the recirculating first-stage catholyte. The hydrogen cyanide is stripped from the first stage anolyte and is subsequently absorbed in catholyte in an absorption unit for the recovery of alkali metal cyanide-containing solution.

Abstract: Free-flowing solid particulates are cooled in an apparatus comprising a housing containing a multiplicity of parallel, vertical, expanded heat exchanger plates spaced at 15-100 mm and having passages therebetween. Each plate has continuous flow channels for cooling fluid therein. A fluid inlet and outlet are attached to the flow channels in each plate and common fluid inlet and outlet headers are attached to the inlets and outlets, respectively. A feed hopper for feeding particulates to the passages is positioned above and attached to the housing. A discharge hopper for receiving cooled particulates from the passages is positioned below and attached to the housing. The discharge hopper contains two adjacent parallel bins each having a swinging section operatively connected to an actuator activated by a level control means positioned in the feed hopper.