Abstract: A catalyst unit (16), in which a quantity of a relatively expensive material such as platinum is replaced by a greater quantity of a relatively inexpensive material such as palladium. Thus, material cost saved by "tailoring" a pack is used to pay for a large quantity of a cheaper material. Although the cheaper material is generally less intrinsically efficient than the expensive material, a sufficient additional amount of the cheaper material can be used to more than compensate for this lack of efficiency. Thus, a catalytic pack of high catalytic efficiency, low material cost, low metal loss and long run duration can be produced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the separation and recovery of Rhodium values from aqueous mineral acid solutions also containing Iridium and/or Ruthenium which comprises contacting the metal bearing aqueous solution with a water immiscible organic solvent containing an organically substituted quaternary amine salt to extract Iridium and Ruthenium into the solvent phase leaving Rhodium in the aqueous raffinate. The loaded organic phase is stripped of Iridium and Ruthenium in two sequential steps by contacting it first with an alkaline solution then redissolving the resulting precipitate in an acidified reducing solution.

Abstract: A process for the separation and selective recovery of platinum and palladium values from an acidic aqueous medium which comprises contacting the medium with a mixed organic extraction reagent comprising a water immiscible organic solvent having dissolved therein an organically substituted secondary amine compound capable of forming complexes of platinum and palladium that are preferentially soluble in the organic solvent and whereby the contacting results in creation of an organic extract phase and an aqueous raffinate phase. After phase separation, palladium is selectively recovered by contacting the organic phase with an aqueous solution of an acidified reducing agent. Platinum is separately recovered by contacting the organic phase with an aqueous alkaline solution. The process may be employed as a method for concentrating solutions of platinum or palladium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the separation and recovery of Rhodium values from aqueous mineral acid solutions also containing Iridium and/or Ruthenium which comprises contacting the metal bearing aqueous solution with a water immiscible organic solvent containing an organically substituted quaternary amine salt to extract Iridium and Ruthenium into the solvent phase leaving Rhodium in the aqueous raffinate. The loaded organic phase is stripped of Iridium and Ruthenium in two sequential steps by contacting it first with an alkaline solution then redissolving the resulting precipitate in an acidified reducing solution.