Abstract: This invention concerns a process for recovering metal values from jarosite-containing materials by leaching with a calcium chloride solution at a temperature above about the atmospheric boiling point of the solution and under at least the autogenous pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving the transportability of a hydrocarbon stream by reducing its viscosity. The apparatus comprises a reactor vessel useful for providing an incremental amount of heat to a hydrocarbon stream by the introduction of an oxidizing agent into the core portion of the stream. The reactor comprises an influent conduit and an effluent conduit in heat exchange relation with each other, at least one oxidant injection nozzle located in either or both the influent and/or effluent conduits, a conduit to transport oxidant to the nozzles and a valve in the oxidant conduit to control oxidant flow to the nozzles. The reactor can also contain temperature monitors in the influent and/or effluent conduits and an oxidant flow controller device responsive to output from the temperature monitors and adapted to adjust oxidant flow to maintain temperatures in the reactor reaction zone within a preselected range.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for decoking a vertical tube reactor. The decoking process involves contacting the coke with an oxidizing substance in the presence of a carrier liquid to oxidize the coke and produce carbon dioxide, water and by-products. The post-oxidation temperature is maintained below the critical temperature of the carrier liquid at the local pressure. The conditions of the coke oxidation are maintained in such a manner as to assure that the by-products are substantially suspended or dissolved in the liquid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the viscosity of a hydrocarbon feed. The feed is heated from an initial temperature to a second temperature and an oxidizing agent is introduced to oxidize components in the feed and provide heat to increase the temperature of the feed to a reaction temperature. The reaction temperature is maintained to produce a reaction product having a lower viscosity than the feed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the transportability of a hydrocarbon composition by passing an influent feed stream of composition into a downcomer to provide a hydrostatic column of fluid. The influent stream is heated by heat exchange with an effluent product stream wherein at least one of the streams is in turbulent flow. The feed stream is pressurized by the hydrostatic pressure head to a reaction pressure of at least about 1000 psi. The heated and pressurized feed stream is contacted with an active heat source in a reaction zone to increase the temperature of the feed stream to a reaction temperature of between about 300.degree. C. and the coking temperature of the hydrocarbon composition. The temperature differential between the active heat source and the feed stream in the reaction zone is maintained at less than about 30.degree. C. to provide a treated effluent stream which is brought into heat exchange contact with the influent stream.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing cyanide from a dilute cyanide solution. The solution is passed through a weak base anion exchange resin to absorb cyanide complexes. The resin is eluted with a weakly basic Ca(OH).sub.2 solution, to produce a cyanide-rich eluate. Elution is accomplished by recycling the eluting fluid past a bed of solid Ca(OH).sub.2, to maintain the eluting fluid in Ca(OH).sub.2 saturation. Recycling in this manner produces an eluate with relatively high cyanide concentration using economical reagents. The eluate is subjected to an acidification/volatilization process including acidification, preferably with H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, heating by introduction of steam and removal of volatilized HCN by an air sparge. The HCN-rich off-gas and slats produced therefrom may be recycled in the process. The cyanide-depleted waste streams may be disposed of in, for example, tailings ponds.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering non-metallic minerals, particularly phosphate, from an ore containing non-uniform sized particles, including colloidal particles. The ore is slurried in an alkaline, aqueous solution with a dispersing agent. A flotation collector is added, and the mixture is contacted with a hydrophobic, high molecular weight, nonionic polymer to flocculate the fine particles and make them amenable to subsequent flotation. A second embodiment provides a process for the recovery of an upgraded non-metallic ore from ore slimes, such as phosphate slimes, utilizing a high molecular weight, polyacrylamide, anionic flocculating agent.

Abstract: A process suitable for separating the hydrocarbon fraction from a tar sands froth is provided. The process comprises heating a fluid stream comprising the froth to above about 300.degree. C., pressurizing the stream to above about 1000 psig and separating the hydrocarbon fraction, having less than 1 percent solids and less than 5 percent water, from the treated stream. Separation is preferably by gravitational settling in a settler and occurs substantially instantaneously. The heat/pressure treatment can be optionally followed by addition of a diluent, such as naphtha. The pressure is preferably produced by the hydrostatic head of a column of froth.

Abstract: A novel process for the recovery of alumina and potassium sulfate from alunite is provided comprising leaching the alunite with potassium hydroxide to which no sodium materials have been added, said leach solution being saturated with potassium sulfate. Aluminum values are solubilized into the leachate, and potassium and sulfur values are rendered soluble, but remain in the residue. The leachate is desilicated if necessary, preferably with lime, and aluminum trihydroxide is precipitated therefrom, followed by calcining to alumina product. The residue is leached to solubilize potassium sulfate in a secondary leach and the potassium sulfate product crystallized therefrom. Potassium hydroxide is regenerated from a portion of the potassium sulfate secondary leachate by several methods.Novel procedures for regenerating alkali metal hydroxides from the corresponding sulfates are also provided including routes involving formates and carbonates as intermediates and pyrohydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention comprises the treatment of metal oxides and mixed metal oxides and metal sulfides in a vertical tube reactor system having a downcomer section and a riser section in order to oxidize and dissolve the metal values in aqueous slurry primarily in the downcomer section and introducing a reducing agent comprising a formate species and reducing the dissolved metal values in the riser section. The reduced metal values are then separated with the gangue values from the product solution downstream from the vertical tube reactor system. The reduced metal values may then be separated from the gangue material by conventional solid separation techniques, such as flotation.

Abstract: This invention comprises a wet oxidation process utilizing copper (II) oxide as the sole oxygen source. In particular the destruction and detoxification by oxidation of toxic materials such as cyanide, hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and dioxins contained in typically aqueous streams by using copper (II) oxide is contemplated. The preferred embodiment involves adding the copper (II) oxide to the feed stream containing the toxic materials and reacting the stream under elevated pressure and elevated temperature conditions to substantially oxidize the toxic materials to less toxic or innocuous compounds. The oxidation process can be accomplished in a vertical tube reactor system, wherein the necessary pressure for the wet oxidation is achieved by hydrostatic head pressure inherent in the system.