Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for the adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a new method for the preparation of a crystallized and shaped solid material, preferably in extruded form, of the formula (LiCl)x.2Al(OH)3,nH2O, wherein n is between 0.01 and 10, x is between 0.4 and 1, wherein it comprises a step a) of precipitation of boehmite under specific temperature and pH conditions, a step of bringing into contact the precipitate obtained with LiCl, at least one acid extrusion-kneading shaping step, wherein the method also comprises a final hydrothermal treatment step, all of which makes it possible to increase the lithium adsorption capacity, the adsorption kinetics, as well as the lithium/boron selectivity of the materials obtained with respect to the materials of the prior art, when it is used in a lithium extraction method of saline solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for the adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel process for preparing a solid crystalline material formed preferably in extrudate form, of formula (LiCl)x.2Al(OH)3,nH2O with n being between 0.01 and 10, x being between 0.4 and 1, comprising a step a) to precipitate boehmite under specific conditions of temperature and pH, a step to place the precipitate obtained in contact with a specific quantity of LiCl, at least one forming step preferably via extrusion, said process also comprising a final hydrothermal treatment step, all allowing an increase in lithium adsorption capacity and in the adsorption kinetics of the materials obtained compared to prior art materials, when used in a process to extract lithium from saline solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for the adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a new method for the preparation of a crystallized and shaped solid material, preferably in extruded form, of formula LiXx.2Al(OH)3,nH2O, wherein n is between 0.01 and 10, x is 1 when X is an anion selected from among chloride, hydroxide and nitrate anions, and x is 0.5 when X is an anion selected from among sulfate and carbonate anions, comprising a boehmite precipitation step a) under specific temperature and pH conditions, at least one basic mixing shaping step, wherein the method also comprises a final hydrothermal treatment step, all to increase the lithium adsorption capacity and the kinetics of adsorption of the materials obtained, compared with the materials of the prior art when it is used in a method for lithium extraction from saline solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of solid materials for adsorption of lithium. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel method for preparing a crystallized and shaped solid material, preferably as extrudates, of formula LiXx.2Al(OH)3, nH2O with n being comprised between 0.01 and 10, x being equal to 1 when X is an anion selected from among chloride, hydroxide and nitrate anions, and x being equal to 0.5 when X is an anion selected from among sulfate and carbonate anions, comprising a step a) for precipitation of boehmite under specific temperature and pH conditions, at least one shaping step, preferably by extrusion, said method also comprising a final hydrothermal treatment step, the whole giving the possibility of increasing the adsorption capacity for lithium as well as the adsorption kinetics of the materials obtained as compared with the materials of the prior art when the latter is used in a method for extracting the lithium from saline solutions.

Abstract: A method for preparing a crystallized solid material of formula LiCl.2Al(OH)3,nH2O with n being comprised between 0.01 and 10, includes mixing in an aqueous medium, at least one source of alumina and at least one source of lithium in order to obtain a suspension, filtering the resulting suspension obtained for obtaining a slurry, followed by drying the obtained slurry at a temperature between 20 and 80° C. for a period between 1 h and 12 h, then shaping by extrusion the resulting dried slurry, directly after the drying to obtain extrudates, where the shaping was carried out without any binder, and then the drying of the obtained extrudates at a temperature comprised between 20 and 200° C. for a period between 1 hour and 20 hours, in order to obtain the crystallized solid material of formula LiCl.2Al(OH)3,nH2O as extrudates. A method for extracting lithium from saline solutions uses the thereby prepared material.

Abstract: The main subject-matter of the present invention is a process for the dissolution of at least one element chosen from niobium and tantalum and at least one other element chosen from uranium and the rare earth elements, advantageously for the dissolution of niobium, tantalum, uranium and rare earth elements, present in an ore or an ore concentrate. Said process comprises: the roasting of a material, comprising said elements, which material is mixed, dry or/in the presence of water, with an acid roasting agent in order to obtain a calcine; said material consisting of said ore or concentrate or having been obtained from said ore or said concentrate and said acid roasting agent providing for roasting in a sulphate medium; and the dissolution in an aqueous solution of the calcine obtained in order to obtain a slurry, the liquid fraction of which includes iron, in the ferric state, at a concentration of at least 50 g/l, advantageously of at least 70 g/l and very advantageously of at least 120 g/l.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of a lateritic nickel/cobalt ore consisting of a mixture (2) of limonite and saprolite, characterized in that: the mixture (2) in the presence of an iron-precipitating agent is made into a pulp (1), having a solids content of between 10 and 40% by weight; the pulp undergoes a leaching operation (4) with sulphuric acid (5), at a temperature between 70° C. and the boiling point and at atmospheric pressure; and a solid-liquid separation (8) is carried out so as to obtain an iron-containing solid residue (9) and a solution containing nickel and cobalt ions. Process for producing nickel and/or cobalt intermediate concentrates or commercial products using the above process.

Abstract: Purification process for chromium metal is conducted on chromium metal powder which has been compacted without additives at a pressure of at least 50,000 psi (35.times.10.sup.7 Pa) into a compacted body having a critical diffusion dimension of less than or equal to 25 mm. The purification process uses a hydrogen gas treatment at a temperature of 1200.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. for a period of 2 hours to 10 hours using 0.8 m.sup.3 per Kg chromium metal of hydrogen gas or more. The hydrogen treated chromium metal compacted body is then further treated under vacuum at a pressure less than or equal to 100 .mu.m of Hg (15 Pa) at 1200.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. for 2 hours to 10 hours. The combined hydrogen and vacuum treatment reduces the oxygen, carbon, sulfur and nitrogen impurities in the chromium metal and results in a chromium metal suitable for metallurgical and electronic applications.

Abstract: A compacted steel powder in particulate form is used as an alloying additive for aluminum melts. The additive is in the form of a wafer which is smooth on one side and corrugated on the other side such that its thickness is 1 mm at the trough and 2-3 mm at the peak. The shape of the additive results in dissolution of the additive in the aluminum melts at an equivalent rate as compared to a conventional briquette.

Abstract: A method of spreading a pulp for the purpose of drying it naturally, the pulp having a solid fraction which has a d.sub.80 of less than 100 microns. This method comprises the following steps:(a) adjusting the level of solids of the pulp to between 2 and 25%;(b) adding a flocculating agent to the pulp and mixing it with same, the amount of said flocculating agent being between two-thirds of 98% of the optimum required fo the flocculation of said pulp; and(c) spreading the mixture of pulp and flocculating agent, in the open air, in a bed the sides of which are permeable, and the bottom of which has a slope of less than 5 meters per 1000 meters, said spreading taking place 1 to 20 minutes after the adding are mixing of the flocculating agent.