Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of producing metal foam is provided which involves optimizing the natural convection of electrolyte through a foam being electroplated by inclining the foam during plating. A diagonal flow of electrolyte though the foam enhances electrolyte turnover within the foam while increasing electroplating efficiency. Further increases in plating efficiency are provided by shifting current density from higher plating zones to lower plating zones.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing metal nanopowders by introducing metal carbonyl into an induction plasma torch. By taking advantage of the much lower dissolution temperature of carbonyl as opposed to the high melting temperature of conventional metal powder feeds less torch power is required. Moreover, in contrast to current powder production techniques utilizing electrode based plasma torches, the induction plasma torch does not introduce contaminants into the nanopowder.

Abstract: A method and system of removing or decreasing waste liquor manganese concentration to less than about 1 mg/L total manganese without the precipitation of significant amounts of magnesium. The method and system include steps for treating the waste liquor using three separate circuits in which in the first circuit, manganese is reduced, for example, from about 2 g/L to <500 mg/L using pH adjustment with a suitable neutralizing agent; and in the second circuit, the final target manganese level is achieved by oxidative precipitation using a suitable oxidizing agent. Part of the precipitated manganese product, e.g., MnO2, is recycled to the oxidative precipitation circuit as seed and the balance proceeds to a third circuit wherein the precipitated manganese product is re-dissolved, and then recycled to the first neutralization circuit. In the first neutralization circuit and the second oxidative precipitation circuit, the process conditions are selected to minimize the precipitation of magnesium, e.g., Mg(OH)2.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal foam bodies having an open-porous structure as well as a method for producing thereof wherein according to the set task such metal foam bodies are to be provided which achieve an increased oxidation resistance and/or an increased corrosion resistance. With the metal foam bodies having an open-porous structure according to the invention, for such metal foam bodies within the webs of the open-porous structure there are channel shaped cavities formed as being determined by the production. At the same time, the webs and cavities will be provided with a metallic protective layer made of a material differing from the metallic starting material of the foam body or the channel shaped cavities will be filled with this material. For this, an adequate metal powder or an alloy component being included in the powder will be used which becomes liquid and forms a liquid phase respectively during thermal treatment below a temperature at which the metal of the base foam body is melting.

Abstract: The invention relates to components which are produced or processed by powder metallurgy, and to processes for producing components of this type. The components produced by powder metallurgy are intended both to have porous regions and to provide fluid-tight properties, and it should also be possible to produce them at correspondingly low cost and suitably flexibly. For this purpose, a component of this type has at least one porous region, which is formed from an intermetallic phase or solid solutions. However, it may also have a corresponding surface coating. Moreover, in a component of this type there is at least one areal fluid-tight region which is formed from a meta or metal alloy of the corresponding intermetallic phase or solid solution.

Abstract: A process for the production of extra fine spherical metal powders by chemical vapor deposition and dissolution techniques, including metal carbonyls, wherein the metal containing process gas is propelled upwardly through a heated reactor. By employing an upward gas flow as opposed to the conventional downward gas flow, a closer approximation of theoretical plug-flow velocity profiles are achieved thusly resulting in a desirably narrower size particle distribution obviating or reducing the need for subsequent classification techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to open-pored metallic foam bodies as well as a method for manufacturing thereof. These metallic foam bodies are allowed to be advantageously used with ambient environmental conditions causing a high corrosion to many conventional materials, and accordingly reducing the lifetime thereof frequently. According to the set object, the metallic foam bodies should have a low mass simultaneously with a high specific surface, and increased corrosion resistance under chemically aggressive ambient environmental conditions. An open-pored metallic foam body according to the invention is then developed such that it is formed from a nickel-copper alloy having at least 40 percent by weight of nickel and yet a porosity of at least 90%.

Abstract: In contrast to current industrial practice where alloying powders are added to starting powder metallurgy compositions either as powder mixtures or fully prealloyed powders, the present invention posits a diffusion bonded nickel-copper precursor additive mixture for direct one step addition to the starting powder metallurgy master blend composition. Segregation and dusting are substantially reduced and the mechanical properties of the resultant compact are improved.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing metal nanopowders by introducing metal carbonyl into an induction plasma torch. By taking advantage of the much lower dissolution temperature of carbonyl as opposed to the high melting temperature of conventional metal powder feeds less torch power is required. Moreover, in contrast to current powder production techniques utilizing electrode based plasma torches, the induction plasma torch does not introduce contaminants into the nanopowder.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of producing metal foam is provided which involves optimizing the natural convection of electrolyte through a foam being electroplated by inclining the foam during plating. A diagonal flow of electrolyte though the foam enhances electrolyte turnover within the foam while increasing electroplating efficiency. Further increases in plating efficiency are provided by shifting current density from higher plating zones to lower plating zones.

Abstract: A method for producing porous metal plated polymeric foam having uniform pore properties. Polymeric foam buns are horizontally cut along a longitudinal surface thereby lifting off a foam sheet. The sheet is spooled and then reticulated to remove any remaining cell walls and to round off the internal pore struts to enlarge the openings between the adjacent cells. The reticulated foam sheet is unwound and then plated. Slabs may be attached end to end and loop slitted and then reticulated. The resulting plated uniform foam provides a superior substrate for battery plaques and other applications.

Abstract: A composition for use with alloys including extra-fine nickel powder dispersed with a hydrophobic inorganic dispersant which is preferably high-purity silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane (fumed silica). The composition breaks and prevents the agglomeration of the nickel powder, thereby preventing weaknesses in alloys, like steel for example, formed with the nickel powder. A method for making an alloy with the composition includes mixing the nickel powder with other metals and/or nonmetals and the hydrophobic fumed silica to form an alloy blend, pressing the alloy blend, and sintering the alloy blend.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger (10) for transferring heat from a first fluid to a second fluid, which heat exchanger (10) comprises one or more flow passages (12) for a first fluid, the outer wall (26) of these passages is in heat-transferring contact with a flow body (20) made from metal foam for a second fluid. This metal foam has a gradient of the volume density of the metal, so that it is possible to achieve a favorable equilibrium between heat transfer and conduction, on the one hand, and flow resistance, on the other hand.

Abstract: A low temperature contaminant limiting process for lithiating hydroxides and forming lithiated metal oxides of suitable crystalinity in-situ. M(OH)2 is added to an aqueous solution of LiOH. An oxidant is introduced into the solution which is heated below about 150° C. and, if necessary, agitated. M may be selected from cobalt, nickel and manganese. The resultant LiMO2 becomes crystallized in-situ and is subsequently removed.

Abstract: A rock fragmentation analysis system is provided for analyzing blasted rock (or other fragmented particles) to assess quality of a blast for efficient processing of subsequent operations in a mine, a quarry, etc. The system includes a hardware system and an image processing system. The hardware system includes a camera and a lighting system. The lighting system illuminates an area of the mine, quarry, etc. where a load haul dump (LHD) vehicle passes through. Once the LHD vehicle passes through the illuminated area, the camera provides video signals of scoop-top view images of the LHD vehicle to the image processing system via known communication means, such as hard-wired and wireless. The image processing system receives the video signals, captures the scoop-top view images, evaluates the images for subsequent fragmentation analysis, and performs the rock fragmentation analysis. The image processing system performs these functions using several software modules.

Abstract: A mineral separation process includes wet-grinding the ore to liberation of minerals, oxidizing the slurry using air, hydrogen peroxide or other oxidants and floating the valuable minerals at a pH between about 9.0 and 10.0 with a xanthate as collector, and a combination of a polyamine and a sulfur containing species as depressants for arsenide minerals. This depressant suite effectively depresses the flotation of arsenide minerals with no effect on the flotation of the valuable minerals.

Abstract: A method for regenerating an amine extractant used for recovery of metals involves contacting a liquid organic phase containing an amine complexed with one or more metals with an aqueous solution substantially free of chloride ions to strip the one or more metals from the organic phase. The stripped organic phase is then contacted with a solution of hydrochloric acid to regenerate the amine extractant which can then be recycled in a production process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of sintered porous bodies, to porous bodies produced correspondingly using the process, and to their use. With the solution according to the invention, sintered bodies which achieve improved properties, such as an increased surface area, deformability of the structures at room temperature or modification of the initial pore volume, are to be produced. To this end, at least one sintering-active powder which forms at least one intermetallic phase or mixed crystals is applied to the surface of a porous basic body. Heat treatment is to be carried out subsequently, in which intermetallic phases or mixed crystals which increase the specific surface area can be formed.

Abstract: A low temperature process for lithiating hydroxides and forming lithiated metal oxides of suitable crystalinity in-situ. M(OH)2 is added to an aqueous solution of LiOH. An oxidant is introduced into the solution which is heated below 150° C. and, if necessary, agitated. The resultant LiMO2 becomes crystallized in-situ and is subsequently removed.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing wedge analysis for assessing wedge occurrence and instability in underground openings, such as mines, caves, and the like. The method scales full-span wedge predictions, accounting for both occurrence and instability potential of possible wedge geometries. The method also generates predictions for wedge failure potential and support demand to result in more economical support design for wedges.