Abstract: A process for preferentially extracting and recovering vanadium and uranium from wet process acids. The wet process acid first is contacted with a neutral organo-phosphorus compound to extract the vanadium values. The resulting loaded organic phase is separated from the wet process acid due to immiscibility of the acid and organic phases. The vanadium values then are separated from the organic phase by stripping. The raffinate separated from the first organic extractant then is contacted with a second organic extractant comprising a dialkylphosphoric acid and a neutral organo-phosphorus compound to extract the uranium values. The resulting loaded organic phase is separated from the wet process acid due to immiscibility of the acid and organic phases. The organic phase is stripped with a reductive stripping solution and the stripping solution then is oxidized to convert the uranium values to the hexavalent oxidation state.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing an improved electrode comprised of titanium and platinum joined to one another in such manner as to resist separation by corrosion when utilized in a cathodic protection system in a corrosive environment such as in a shell and tube heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing wet process phosphoric acid containing acid soluble impurities preparatory to solvent extraction for the recovery of valuable minerals. The acid is introduced into a vessel containing crystal seed bed of the impurities. A portion of the acid then is withdrawn and concentrated to effect supersaturation of the impurities contained therein. The supersaturated acid is returned to the vessel to mix with the remaining solution and cause additional impurities to precipitate. Thereafter, a portion of the solution, containing precipitated impurities, is withdrawn and introduced into a separator. In the separator, the solution is separated into an essentially solids-free stream containing unprecipitated soluble impurities and a solids-containing stream.

Abstract: An improved process for beneficiating titaniferous material whereby formation of fines during leaching of the titaniferous material is minimized. The titaniferous material and mineral acid reactants each are heated to an elevated temperature prior to admixing in the leaching operation. The heated reactants then are admixed in a leaching zone and further heated to a leaching temperature of from about 110.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The preheating causes at least a portion of the acid-soluble titanium values in the titaniferous material to be hydrolyzed upon dissolution and to form an acid-insoluble precipitate. At least a portion of the precipitate is caused to deposit upon the titaniferous material such that fines or slime formation in the leach liquor is minimized. The leaching is continued for a sufficient time to dissolve most of the acid-soluble impurities contained in the titaniferous material. The solid residue remaining in the leaching zone is recovered as the beneficiated product.

Abstract: A process for the production of sodium carbonate wherein sodium bicarbonate is recovered from a brine containing sodium carbonate by carbonation of the brine under controlled conditions. The sodium bicarbonate is crystallized from the carbonated brine in a multi-stage carbonating, cooling and crystallization process after which it is filtered to produce wet cake. The wet cake is subjected to predrying to provide a predried wet cake of a specified free moisture content and mixed with recycle light ash to provide a dryer feed of specified moisture content to alleviate problems of product fouling or plugging of the dryer. The light ash from the dryer then is bleached and subjected to recrystallization, screening, centrifuging and drying to provide a dried sodium carbonate possessing, after evaporation of the water of hydration and free moisture, less than 0.10 percent moisture and chemical and physical properties meeting commercial dense ash specifications.

Abstract: An improved digester method and apparatus particularly useful in the digestion stage of a process for the beneficiation of titaniferous iron ores and the like. A discharge nozzle is connected to a portion of the digester and the digested material is pumped from the digester via a pump connected to the discharge nozzle. In one aspect, fluid from a fluid source is passed through a portion of the discharge nozzle and into the interior of the digester for dislodging any solid-like masses prior to discharging the digested material and, in another aspect, fluid from the fluid source is passed into the discharging digested material from the digester.

Abstract: A process for liquid-liquid ion exchange of alkali metal ions. An alkaline aqueous phase containing potassium ions together with other alkali metal ions is contacted with an organic phase containing a polyol-boron-alkali metal complex. The organic phase preferentially extracts potassium values from the aqueous phase. The potassium values are separated from the polyol-boron-alkali metal complex by, for example, stripping with dilute sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of titanium disulfide by the vapor phase reaction of titanium tetrachloride and a sulfur containing gas. The titanium tetrachloride and the sulfur containing gas are preheated separately and the sulfur containing gas is introduced through a supply conduit at an established rate of flow into a reaction zone and the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the reaction zone with a downstream component of velocity. A refractory material having a mean particle size greater than the titanium sulfide product is introduced into the product gas stream to impinge on the walls of the reaction zone to eliminate titanium disulfide deposition thereon.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sodium chloride content of crystalline potassium salts without the use of successive recrystallization. The crystalline potassium salts having a sodium chloride content greater than about 0.8 percent by weight are subjected to compacting and crushing to provide a crystalline product having an average particle diameter less than 1.6 millimeters. The crystalline product is leached with a brine at least about 80 percent saturated with said potassium salt and less than 50 percent saturated with sodium chloride to produce a crystalline potassium salt product containing less than about 0.35 percent by weight of sodiumchloride.

Abstract: A process for removing an agglomerate of accumulated materials including ash concentrate which collects within the first heavy phase withdrawal conduit of a coal deashing system employing solvent at elevated temperatures and pressures near the critical temperature of the solvent. A carrier fluid is introduced into the first heavy phase withdrawal conduit simultaneously with or after pressure reduction of the heavy phase under conditions such that a turbulent flow profile is developed within the withdrawal conduit which results in the removal of at least a substantial portion of any accumulated materials within the withdrawal conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of boron trichloride from a molten salt bath comprising a naturally occurring boric acid salt or other boron-containing ore, carbon and chlorine gas.In accordance with the process of this invention, boron trichloride is produced in a single stage reaction by passing chlorine gas through as continuously fed molten boric acid salt rich layer in a reactor vessel which contains carbon. At least a portion of the gaseous products of the reaction are recovered and partially condensed to separate at least a crude boron trichloride liquid phase from the non-condensable gaseous products. The crude boron trichloride liquid phase then is subjected to a two-stage distillation from which is recovered a purified boron trichloride product.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved composition of matter for and method of defoliating plants such as, for example, cotton. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved fire retardant defoliant comprising an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate, alkali metal carbonate, urea and a surfactant comprising a mixture of alkali metal alkenesulfonates and alkali metal hydroxyalkanesulfonates and a method for using the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved heat exchanger gas outlet tube in a cyclone separator. The apparatus is adapted for use with highly corrosive halide-containing gas-solids suspensions at elevated temperatures.In accordance with this invention, a flanged, hollow nickel alloy gas outlet tube is provided with multiple inlets and outlets arranged circumferentially around a portion of the gas outlet tube. A hollow passage contained within said gas outlet tube is provided with a pair of partial longitudinal baffles positioned in such a manner that cooling air or other compatible cooling fluid may flow within the passage and be caused to flow longitudinally down the length of the tube, in one portion of the passage, before passing below the partial baffles and the flow back upwardly through the other portion of the passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for readily determining the wear experienced in the interior conical section of a hydrocyclone during use of the hydrocyclone.In the practice of this invention, the apparatus is inserted into the hydrocyclone interior until it is flush with the conical interior section of the hydrocyclone after which the length of the tip of the apparatus protruding from the hydrocyclone is measured. As the conical interior section of the hydrocyclone wears during use, the length of the protruding tip of the apparatus will increase upon measurement. A rejection criteria is developed based on independent measurements while maintaining the desired particle size distribution in the overflow product and the desired flow split ratio of overflow to underflow of the fluid hydrocyclone feed material to determine at what point a hydrocyclone should be rejected as no longer suitable to achieve the desired hydrocyclone separation while maintaining the desired flow split ratio.

Abstract: An improved hybrid bipolar electrode particularly useful in an alkali chloride electrolysis application, having an anodic member and cathodic member connected in spaced apart relationship by a fastener assembly, a seal being formed between portions of the anodic member and the cathodic member to substantially seal electrolyte from the space between the anodic member and the cathodic member. In one aspect, a barrier member is interposed between the anodic member and the cathodic member to inhibit the contact of migrating atomic hydrogen with the anodic member. In one other aspect of the present invention, a portion of the fastener assembly is constructed of an electrically conductive material and electrical continuity is established between the anodic member and the cathodic member via the fastener assembly, the barrier member serving to effectuate a more even distribution of current flow between the cathodic member and the anodic member in yet another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the surface treatment of antimony oxide for use as a pigment in paints or plastics wherein a hydrous oxide or mixture of oxides is precipitated onto the antimony oxide pigment. Specifically, this invention concerns the precipitation of hydrous oxides of titania, alumina or silica. In operation, the pH of an aqueous slurry of antimony oxide is adjusted to be within a specified pH range and the coating of the antimony oxide is effected by adding an amount of the hydrous oxide to cause precipitation of the hydrous oxide upon the antimony oxide pigment. The present invention contemplates an improved antimony oxide pigment having a first coating of amorphous alumina and a second coating of boehmite alumina. The present invention also contemplates an improved antimony oxide pigment having a first coating of titania and a second coating of alumina.

Abstract: An improved bipolar electrode having an anodic member and a cathodic member connected in an assembled position spaced a distance apart via a fastener assembly disposed between the anodic member and the cathodic member. In one aspect of the present invention, a portion of the fastener assembly is constructed of an electrically conductive material and, in this aspect, the fastener assembly establishes electrical continuity between the anodic member and the cathodic member in addition to providing the mechanical interconnection between the anodic member and the cathodic member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for coating titanium dioxide with precipitated alumina (aluminum oxide) for use as a pigment in plastics wherein a first coating of amorphous alumina is precipitated onto the titanium dioxide and then a second coating of crystalline alumina is precipitated over the first coating. In operation, the pH of an aqueous slurry of titanium dioxide pigment is adjusted to be within a first pH range as the first alumina coating is effected by adding an amount of sodium aluminate to the aqueous slurry and then the pH of the slurry is adjusted to be within a second pH range while a second amount of sodium aluminate is added to form the second coating over the first coating. The present invention also contemplates an improved titanium dioxide pigment having a first coating of amorphous alumina and a second coating of boehmite alumina.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an alkali metal pyrophosphate useful, for example, as a plant food. Broadly, the method comprises reacting an alkali metal nitrate and aqueous phosphoric acid in the presence of catalytic amount of a metal oxide at a temperature of at least about 700.degree.C to produce a substantially pure alkali metal pyrophosphate and gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovering niobium from a hydrochloric acid solution which contains niobium and vanadium and which may also contain other metals such as, for example, zirconium, titanium, iron, chromium and aluminum. Broadly, the method comprises heating such a solution at a low pH for a period of time sufficient to form a niobium-containing precipitate substantially free of vanadium. Preferably, the solution is heated in the presence of a small amount of sulfuric acid. The precipitate then is recovered from the solution.