Abstract: Oxyanions of various contaminant elements, such as chromium, antimony, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium and uranium, are removed from water and other aqueous feeds by treating the feed with (1) a sorbent comprising one or more rare earth compounds, usually mixed or supported on particulate solids having a cation exchange capacity less than 20 milliequivalents per 100 grams or (2) an aqueous solution of one or more soluble rare earth compounds.

Abstract: A method for desulphurizing fluid materials such as molten iron, steel, stack gases, synthetic natural gases, boiler gases, coal gasification and liquification products and the like is provided in which one of the group rare earth oxides, rare earth fluocarbonates, rare earth oxyfluorides and mixtures thereof, including bastnasite concentrates are reacted at low oxygen potential, with the sulphur to be removed to form one of the group consisting of rare earth sulphides, rare earth oxysulphides and mixtures thereof. The low oxygen potential can be achieved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of vacuum, reducing gases, carbon, etc.

Abstract: A method for desulphurizing fluid materials such as molten iron, steel, stack gases, synthetic natural gases, boiler gases, coal gasification and liquification products and the like is provided in which one of the group rare earth oxides, rare earth fluocarbonates, rare earth oxyfluorides and mixtures thereof, including bastnasite concentrates are reacted at low oxygen potential, with the sulphur to be removed to form one of the group consisting of rare earth sulphides, rare earth oxysulphides and mixtures thereof. The low oxygen potential can be achieved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of vacuum, reducing gases, carbon, etc.

Abstract: A method for making an alloy of aluminum and silicon with rare earth metals and metals of Groups 4b, 5b and 6b of the Periodic Table in which the flux system CaF.sub.2 -CaO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is used as a solvent to provide a reactive medium for the reactions through which alloys are formed, the method comprising reducing the oxides of the alloying metals with aluminum in the presence of silicon in the flux maintained liquid at a temperature between about 1250.degree. C - 1600.degree. C while maintaining the flux basic to suppress the activity of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and forming the alloys in the flux from the reduced metals.

Abstract: A method for desulphurizing iron, steel, stack gases and the like is provided in which rare earth oxides are reacted, in the presence of an agent, such as carbon, vacuum, reducing gases, etc. for reducing the oxygen level, with the sulphur to be removed to form one of the group consisting of rare earth sulphides, rare earth oxysulphides and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed is intended primarily for use in practicing the disclosed method of introducing additives into a molten metal bath contained in a typical ladle or vessel mounted in an upright position with an open mouth at its upper end. The total apparatus includes mechanisms which may be conventional for producing a continuous stream of a fluidized mixture of a carrier gas and solid additive material in particulate form. Various solid additives are introduced into molten pig iron or steel, including aluminum, magnesium, calcium carbide, rare earths, columbium, boron, molybdenum, and many others for such purposes as deoxidizing, desulfurizing, alloying, controlling grain structure, etc. The novel portion of the apparatus includes a discharge tube mounted in upright attitude and extending down into the open mouth of the vessel.