Abstract: The present invention relates to lithium rechargeable battery cathode materials. More specifically, the cathode materials are compositionally gradient nickel-rich cathode materials produced using single-source composite precursor materials containing inorganic and/or metalorganic salts of lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Methods and systems for manufacturing the cathode materials by a combined spray pyrolysis/fluidized bed process are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the recovery of rare earths, scandium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium, titanium, and the like from ores or concentrates containing fluorine. More specifically, the ores or concentrates are pretreated by carbochlorination to convert the rare earths and other metals into their chlorides and then subjected to dilute hydrochloric acid leaching to recover the valuable rare earths and other metals from the leachate. Niobium, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium, and titanium can be recovered as their chlorides or oxychlorides from the gaseous products of carbochlorination, or converted into their oxides while simultaneously regenerating chlorine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to reduce dusting in bulk materials, such as coal. The method includes mixing with the bulk material either a fraction of the bulk material having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the remainder of the bulk material or a heterologous charge control agent having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the bulk material. The attractive forces between the opposite electrostatic charges agglomerate dust particles to larger particles that quickly settle to control dusting. Also disclosed are materials produced by the methods described above.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into successively smaller particle size fractions, with the largest fraction placed into a confined area. The next smaller size fraction is then added until the largest sized fraction begins to dilate. The next successive smaller size fraction is added until the mixture beams to dilate, with the process being continued until the smallest size fraction is used. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided. In one embodiment the bulk material is separated into a first fraction and a second fraction, the second fraction being smaller than the first. Subsequently, the second fraction is separated into a third fraction and a fourth fraction, the fourth fraction being smaller than the third. The third fraction is then comminuted to be the same size as the fourth fraction, at which point the first, third, and fourth fractions are finally mixed to produce a densified bulk material.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed to reduce the oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes sizing a bulk material so that it has a porosity of 40% or less. This relatively low porosity reduces the surface area of the bulk material available to the ambient environment for oxidation. The method of sizing the bulk material may be combined with the step of contacting the bulk material with an inert gas or a heat transfer medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes contacting a bulk material with a heat transfer medium to reduce the temperature of the bulk material below ambient temperature, and preferably below about 10.degree. C. In this manner, the rate of oxidation is sufficiently low so that significant losses, such as the loss of thermal values in of fuel material, are avoided. The heat transfer medium can be solid or fluid and in a preferred embodiment is liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for treating a brass fixture having a fluid-contacting surface with lead dispersoids exposed thereon to reduce lead leaching into a fluid supply by contacting the brass fixture with a liquid metal solution selected from the group consisting of a liquid sodium solution, a liquid potassium solution and a liquid metal alloy solution to dissolve lead dispersoids from the fixture, wherein the metal alloy comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to remove arsenic from arsenic-containing materials, such as an ore or concentrate, by roasting the arsenic-containing material to convert arsenic sulfides into arsenic oxides. The arsenic oxides are contained in the roasted arsenic-containing material. The roasted arsenic-containing material is contacted with a lixiviant to solubilize the arsenic in the oxide in a pregnant leach solution. Ferric arsenate, an environmentally stable compound, is formed in the lixiviant. The ferric arsenate can be removed to provide a treated solution complying with environmental regulations. The method provides a simple and effective technique for removing arsenic from arsenic-containing materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes contacting a bulk material with a heat transfer medium to reduce the temperature of the bulk material below ambient temperature, and preferably below about 10.degree. C. In this manner, the rate of oxidation is sufficiently low so that significant losses, such as the loss of thermal values in of fuel material, are avoided. The heat transfer medium can be solid or fluid and in a preferred embodiment is liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to remove metals from solutions by precipitating the metals and adding cellulosic fiber to the solution. The precipitates attach to the cellulosic fibers to form products. The products may be removed from the solution by gravity separation techniques or by filtration. The removed products may be dewatered and incinerated. The method provides a simple and effective technique for removing low concentrations of metals from high volume solution streams.

Abstract: A copper alloy plumbing fixture containing interdispersed lead particles coated noncontinuously on a water contact surface to resist the leaching of lead into potable water systems. The leach resistant fixture is prepared by immersing conventional copper alloys in a bismuth nitrate solution, selectively and noncontinuously coating the lead dispersoid particles on the water contact surface with bismuth. Tin may be substituted for bismuth to obtain similar results.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to remove metals from solutions by precipitating the metals and adding cellulosic fiber to the solution. The precipitates attach to the cellulosic fibers to form products. The products may be removed from the solution by gravity separation techniques or by filtration. The removed products may be dewatered and incinerated. The method provides a simple and effective technique for removing low concentrations of metals from high volume solution streams.

Abstract: Discussed is a process for recovering metals and metal-containing products, such as a nickel sulfate product, from aqueous feed solutions comprising two or more dissolved metals. A selected metal is isolated and in a purified form in an aqueous raffinate phase from solvent extraction of nonselected metals using an organic phase containing a salt of an organic acid and the selected metal. Aqueous feed solution may result from leaching operations, including leaching of nickel-containing catalyst, such as catalyst used in hydrogenation of vegetable oils.

Abstract: A process for selectively recovering dissolved heavy metals from a solution is disclosed that involves selectively reacting a xanthate with such dissolved heavy metals. Selective reaction of a xanthate with selected dissolved heavy metals is accomplished by conducting the reaction under conditions such that only some of the heavy metals react with the xanthate, to the exclusion of reaction with other dissolved heavy metals. Selectivity of the reaction is particularly influenced by the pH at which the reaction occurs. Typically, the reaction should occur at a pH below about 4.0. Xanthates, once reacted, can be separated from the heavy metal xanthate reaction product and recycled for use within the process. Purified heavy metal product can be produced if desired.

Abstract: A process for selectively leaching lead and silver chlorides from a sulfide ore residue in a rapid time which comprises brine leaching the residue under pressure at a temperature above the normal boiling point of the solution, preferably above 100.degree. C.Modifications are leaching at the agglomeration temperature of sulfur when present in the residue to agglomerate the sulfur for ease of recovery, and flashing from leach temperature to ambient as a lead chloride crystallization recovery step to produce a large crop of lead chloride crystals per pass.

Abstract: An analyzer is provided for use in determining the volatile matter content of coal and coke. The analyzer automatically adjusts a position of a crucible containing a coal or coke sample relative to a furnace depending upon the temperature of the crucible. The crucible is supported and the temperature of the crucible and sample is sensed by means of a thermocouple arranged as a sling for contacting the crucible. The sensed temperature is compared with a predetermined and desired temperature. A comparison difference triggers a vertical movement of the crucible and sample, within the temperature profile of the furnace, using a servomotor until the crucible is positioned such that the sensed temperature and desired temperature correspond.

Abstract: In a process for beneficiating one or more mineral values of sulfide ores by treating the sulfide ore with a metal containing compound under conditions such as to selectively enhance the magnetic susceptibility of the mineral values to the exclusion of the gangue in order to permit a separation between the values and gangue, the improvement comprising pretreating the sulfide ore by heating it to a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. for at least about 0.1 hours.

Abstract: A process for the direct production of steel from particulate iron oxides or concentrates including two major steps in which in Step (1) the iron oxides are converted to iron carbide and in Step (2) steel is produced directly from the carbide in the basic oxygen furnace or the electric furnace. In the production of the carbide the oxides are reduced and carburized in a single operation using a mixture of hydrogen as a reducing agent and carbon bearing substances such as propane primarily as carburizing agents. Iron carbide thus produced is introduced as all or part of the charge into a basic oxygen furnace to produce steel directly without the blast furnace step. In order to make the steel making process auto-thermal, heat is supplied either by using the hot iron carbide from Step (1) or preheating the iron carbide or by including sufficient fuel in the iron carbide to supply the required heat by combustion.