Abstract: A molten metal reactor (10) quickly entrains a feed material in the molten reactant metal (16) and provides the necessary contact between the molten reactant metal and the feed material to effect the desired chemical reduction of the feed material. The reactor (10) includes a unique feed structure (24) adapted to quickly entrain the feed material into the molten reactant metal (16) and then transfer the molten reactant metal, feed material, and initial reaction products into a treatment chamber (12). A majority of the desired reactions occur in the treatment chamber (12). Reaction products and unspent reactant metal are directed from the treatment chamber (12) to an output chamber (14) where reaction products are removed from the reactor. Unspent reactant metal (16) is then transferred to a heating chamber (15) where it is reheated for recycling through the system.

Abstract: A titanium dioxide compound was isolated from a rare type of naturally occurring ore. Processes for efficiently isolating and obtaining these TiO2 compounds, as well as methods for using them have been developed. These TiO2 compounds may be used directly in applications such as paper, plastics and paints without being subjected to the chloride or sulfate processes. Also they made be used as a feedstock for the chloride or sulfate processes. In order to obtain these TiO2 compounds, one may grind or pulverize the naturally occurring ore, disperse it in a solution or suspension, and process it by selective flocculation or aqueous biphasic extraction.

Abstract: An improved process for the causticisation of Bayer liquors in an alumina refinery includes a first step of reacting lime with aluminate ions in a Bayer liquor within a primary reactor operated at low to moderate temperature to form a hydrocalumite species and hydroxyl ions. In a second step, the hydrocalumite species is heated in contact with a Bayer liquor, which either includes or is a different liquor than the Bayer liquor of the first step, under controlled conditions to cause the hydrocalumite species to react with the liquor to form calcium carbonate, aluminate ions and hydroxyl ions. The principal advantages of the improved process include very high lime utilisation efficiencies (in excess of 90%) and a substantially increased C/S ratio (in excess of 0.955), allowing higher plant caustic concentrations and improved productivity. The loss of alumina due to the formation of unwanted calcium aluminate species is also greatly reduced.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and devices for alleviating the problems of toxic discharge of aldehydes present in waste streams are disclosed. The methods relate to reducing neutralized aldehydes wherein the neutalized aldehydes are formed by treating aldehydes with amino acids and thereinafter are reduced. These reduced, neutralized aldehydes do not revert back to toxic aldehydes, but form amino acids and thus allow waste containing aldehyde to be more environmentally safely disposed.