Abstract: A process for the preparation of a superconductor of the type AB.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, wherein A is a mixture of rare earths, B is an alkaline earth metal and x is less than one, comprising the treatment of xenotime to obtain a rare earths oxide therefrom and mixing the oxide with an alkaline earth metal compound and a copper compound and heat treating the mixture to obtain the superconductor. The treatment of the xenotime comprising melting the xenotime with a 1:1 mixture of Na.sub.3 CO.sub.3 and K.sub.2 CO.sub.3, dissolving a solid obtained therefrom in HCl, treating the resulting solution with NH.sub.4 OH to precipitate the rare earths, dissolving the precipitate in HCl, treating the resulting solution with H.sub.2 C.sub.2 O.sub.4 to precipitate the rare earths aned calcinating the precipitate to obtain a rare earths oxide.

Abstract: A method for the processing of fly ash scrubber sludge or the like is provided. The method yields unique products, including a usable calcium silicate material and a high purity alumina material. The process involves a plurality of stages including a first magnetic separation in an acid leach. During the acid leach, valuable mineral components are converted into soluble sulfates. The leach residue, containing calcium materials, is extracted with ammonia solution to yield a desirable calcium silicate product. The leach liquor is treated in a preferred manner to precipitate relatively acid free aluminum sulfate. The aluminum sulfate is then converted into a desirable alumina product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing barium titanate (BaTiO.sub.3) (BaTiO(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.2. 4H.sub.2 O), is by pyrolysis of barium titanyl oxalate, an provided in which aqueous solution of barium chloride (BaCl.sub.2) is added dropwise while stirring vigorously to an aqueous solution comprising a mixture of oxalic acid (H.sub.2 C.sub.2 O.sub.4) and titanium oxychloride (TiOCl.sub.2) having a temperature in the range from 20.degree. to 60.degree. C. to form barium titanyl oxalate, the resultant precipitate being calcined at a temperature in the range from 960.degree. to 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: Acicular ferromagnetic chromium dioxide is stabilized by treatment with an alkali metal hydroxide in an aqueous alkaline suspension at elevated temperatures.