Abstract: A device for detecting fluorescence on the surface of the earth is disclosed. The device includes a laser installed in a vehicle, means for irradiating an essentially linear surface area in front of and transverse to the vehicle, a directing device for directing the spread beam downward to illuminate the earth's surface and means for detecting fluorescence on the illuminated surface. The inventive device permits the rapid and effective exploration of a relatively large area without gaps of the earth's surface for fluorescent substances.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering tin from oxide or oxide/sulphide low-grade starting materials and concentrates containing little or relatively low concentrations of tin, in which such low-grade starting materials are mixed with KOH and decomposed at high temperatures. The decomposed substance is then leached with water, and metallic tin is separated out electrolytically in one or more stages from the lye. The electrolyte with reduced tin content is concentrated by evaporation, impurities being removed, and dehydrated. The potassium hydroxide solution recovered is re-used for decomposition.

Abstract: A process for the fluid-fluid extraction of gallium, germanium or indium from acid or base hydrous solutions, in which a mixture of at least two hydroxyquinolines in various quantities is employed, is described.

Abstract: Solids particles are conveyed hydraulically by first mixing the solids particles with a liquid in order to form a viscous material of substantially uniform consistency. This viscous material is then introduced or injected into a flowing hydraulic medium that had been substantially free of solids prior to this viscous material injection in order to form a hydraulically conveyed flow. Variations in conduit cross-section at or near the location of viscous material injection may be provided in order to enhance turbulance and suspension of solids within the hydraulically conveyed flow.

Abstract: A method of disposal or temporary storage of fine particulate solid waste material or a mixture of such solid material with liquid including pumping the solid material entrained in liquid through a pipeline by means of a piston pump into a natural or artificial dump space above ground or below ground. To pump fine grained waste materials, for example dusty or paste-like and sludge-like waste materials, without incurring problems regarding the entrainment liquid and to prevent, in the case of underground storage, the production of a geologically insufficiently stable packing in a natural or artificial cavity, a high-consistency mixture containing less than 20% by weight of liquid, which is generally water, is pumped into the space by means of the piston pump.

Abstract: A method for production of high purity antimony by producing antimony(III) oxide from hydrolysis of antimony chloride, dissolving the antimony(III) oxide in a solution containing d-sorbitol and a base, and electrolyzing the solution using insoluble electrodes.

Abstract: A method of refining crude cadmium by vacuum distillation in which crude cadmium is passed into a reflux condenser in which higher boiling point impurities are condensed together with a portion of pure cadmium vapor, this condensate flowing in counterflow with the crude cadmium vapor. The remaining portion of the pure cadmium vapor is subsequently condensed. The apparatus comprises an inverted U-shaped vacuum chamber having an evaporator and a reflux condenser in one leg and a further condenser in the other leg. A feed pipe for liquid crude cadmium enters the one leg adjacent the evaporator and a residue outlet pipe leaves the one leg, the feed pipe and the residue pipe being arranged so that no back-flow takes place from the residue pipe to the feed pipe. An outlet pipe for the refined cadmium issues from the other leg of the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method of refining crude cadmium by vacuum distillation in which crude cadmium is passed into a reflux condenser in which higher boiling point impurities are condensed together with a portion of pure cadmium vapor, this condensate flowing in counterflow with the crude cadmium vapor. The remaining portion of the pure cadmium vapor is subsequently condensed. The apparatus comprises an inverted U-shaped vacuum chamber having an evaporator and a reflux condenser in one leg and a further condenser in the other leg. A feed pipe for liquid crude cadmium enters the one leg adjacent the evaporator and a residue outlet pipe leaves the one leg, the feed pipe and the residue pipe being arranged so that no back-flow takes place from the residue pipe to the feed pipe. An outlet pipe for the refined cadmium issues from the other leg of the vacuum chamber.