Abstract: The present invention includes metal oxide foam particles and a method of making the same. A decomposable metal salt feed solution is injected into a hot atomizing gas. The mixture of hot atomizing gas and feed solution is maintained in the reactor until the feed solution converts to metal oxide foam particles. The metal oxide foam particles have a high specific surface area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of sodium dichromate and sodium dichromate solutions by oxidative roasting of chrome ores under alkaline conditions, leaching of the furnace clinker obtained with water or an aqueous chromate-containing solution, adjustment of the pH to from 7 to 9.5, removal of the insoluble constituents by filtration, a sodium monochromate solution being obtained, conversion of the monochromate ions of this solution into dichromate ions by acidification and crystallization of sodium dichromate by concentration of this solution, characterized in that the acidification is carried out with carbon dioxide under pressure with removal of sodium hydrogen carbonate, the remaining solution is then very largely freed from sodium monochromate by cooling to a temperature below 10.degree. C.

Abstract: A degreasing-cleaning method which employs as a liquid cleaning agent pure water having a resistivity of at least 10 megohm-cm and a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. The pure water is sprayed onto the article to be cleaned at a pressure of at least 8 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering precious metals using a combination of smelting and an effective utilization of molten salt chlorination. More specifically, disclosed is a process including the steps of (i) contacting, for example, a matte with a chloride salt containing at least one of potassium, cesium or rubidium, but not sodium or lithium to form a matte/salt solids mixture, (ii) introducing the solids mixture into a chloride melt having a temperature ranging from 300.degree. C. to 650.degree. C., said melt containing at least one of potassium, cesium, rubidium, sodium or lithium, (iii) introducing a chlorine containing gas into the melt, and (iv) maintaining the salt ratio in the matte/salt mixture at a stoichiometrically equivalent amount with the precious metals and base metals contained in the matte.

Abstract: Process for disposing of insoluble tailings that remain when solubilizing uncalcined or calcined trona in the process of producing soda ash, in which the tailings are slurried with water or waste solutions of sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate, adding an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in effective amounts up to about 10% by weight of the aqueous slurrying solution, pumping the slurry into a well connected to an underground mined-out cavity with sufficient pressure to prevent build-up of tailings from plugging the bottom of the well opening, dispersing and settling said tailings in the cavity, removing a liquor from said cavity whose concentration of sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate has been increased and recovering such enriched liquor for use in the manufacture of sodium-containing chemicals such as soda ash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering nickel from industrial effluents, characterized in thata) the effluent loaded with nickel is allowed to settle in a corrugated-plate separator (1) for the removal of solid constituents contained therein,b) a flocculant is added and the mixture is neutralized with alkali or mineral acid,c) after flocculation, the mixture is again allowed to settle in a corrugated-plate separator (3) andd) filtered through a sand filter (4),e) the filtered effluent is passed through a sequestering cation exchanger system containing three exchanger columns, the first column (5) being loaded up to breakthrough of nickel, the second column (6) serving as a guard filter and the third column (7) being regenerated or standing by in the freshly regenerated state,f) the particular column loaded with nickel is regenerated with dilute mineral acid, andg) the regenerate is treated with sodium hypophosphite in the presence of catalytic quantities of sodium borohydride, and to equipment for

Abstract: In a process for sucking out and drying the cavities of coated microtiter plates, a cannula having an internal diameter of 0.5 to 3 mm is lowered into the cavity at a speed of 0.5 to 20 mm/second, and the cavity is emptied via the cannula with a suction capacity of 50 to 2500 1/hour. The cannula is stopped 0.05 to 3 mm above the cavity base.

Abstract: A method of refining tungsten hexafluoride containing molybdenum hexafluoride as an impurity includes the step of contacting the tungsten hexafluoride with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, Cu, Ni, Fe, Co, Zn, Ti, Al, Ca and Mg at a temperature ranging from 100.degree. to 500.degree. C. Molybdenum hexafluoride is efficiently removed from the tungsten hexafluoride by the method.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating smelter flue dust and other smelter by-products so as to recover non-ferrous metals therefrom and convert arsenic and sulfur in the flue dust into non-leachable compounds. The methods allow the flue dust and other smelter by-products such as smelter sludges to be disposed of in a natural environment without subsequent leaching of heavy metals, sulfur, and arsenic. The smelter by-products are mixed with hydrated lie, formed into agglomerates, and roasted at an optimal temperature of about 650.degree. C. to form oxidized arsenic and sulfur which react with the lime in the agglomerates to form non-leachable compounds. The roasted agglomerates are contacted with a basic lixiviant comprising dissolved ammonia and an ammonium salt to dissolve non-ferrous metals such as copper from the roasted agglomerates. Used lixiviant can be boiled to precipitate the non-ferrous metals dissolved therein and vaporize the ammonia, thereby regenerating the lixiviant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous cleaning of bag making machinery is provided. A single roll with a cleaning material attached thereto contacts a rotating drum to remove debris from the surface thereof. When the portion of the cleaning material in contact with the drum becomes saturated with debris, the roll is rotated to present fresh cleaning material to the surface of the drum. The compact design of the cleaning apparatus permits its use in the limited space found around bag making machinery.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating salt-containing aluminum dross to remove potassium and sodium chloride salts therefrom. The process generally comprises treating the dross in a first treating step with a leaching solution having a pH maintained in the range of about 6-7 to remove a portion of the salt content thereof; filtering the residual solids from the first leaching solution; and treating the filtered solids in a second treating step with a second leaching solution having a pH maintained above about 8, and preferably above about 9. The pH of the first leaching solution is maintained in the desired range by the addition of hydrochloric acid, and the pH of the second leaching solution is maintained in the desired range by the addition of potassium and/or sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: Titaniferous solid containing titanium (IV) oxide, for example ilmenite, is reacted with silicon tetrafluoride gas at 800.degree. C. or more and at a pressure of at least 1 atmosphere to produce titanium tetrafluoride vapor and silica. The vapor is rapidly removed from the reaction zone, preferably by rapid cooling to solid titanium tetrafluoride, at a sufficient distance from the reaction zone so as not to quench the reaction. The titanium tetrafluoride may be hydrolysed to produce titanium dioxide and hydrogen fluoride which is combined with silica to regenerate silicon tetrafluoride. It is preferred to pretreat the titaniferous solid by grinding and then roasting at 700.degree. C. to 750.degree. C. in air. Products of the reaction may be separated and purified by condensation and resublimation.

Abstract: Cleaning a closed space such as safety cabinets, clean boxes, safes and wafer storage spaces are performed by irradiating a photoelectron emitting member with ultraviolet rays and/or other forms of radiation to emit photoelectrons into the closed space, electrically charging the fine particles in the closed space with the emitted photoelectrons, and removing the charged fine particles from the closed space.

Abstract: A process for extracting gallium from an aqueous gallium-bearing acidic solution comprises: a) providing a quantity of phosphorus within the aqueous gallium-bearing solution, the phosphorus being provided in an aqueous soluble form and being substantially dissolved within the aqueous solution, the aqueous gallium-bearing solution having dissolved phosphorus defining a first aqueous phase; b) intermixing the aqueous gallium-bearing solution having the quantity of aqueous soluble dissolved phosphorus with a first organic phase comprising a quantity of an alkylated 8-hydroxyquinoline; c) separating the intermixed first aqueous phase and first organic phases into a second aqueous phase and a second organic phase, the quantities of aqueous soluble phosphorus and alkylated 8-hydroxyquinoline being effective to extract gallium from the aqueous gallium-bearing solution to provide a gallium concentration in the second organic phase which is greater than a gallium concentration in the first organic phase and to provide

Abstract: In a purification process for brine, impurities such as calcium, magnesium and/or sulphate are precipitated by the addition of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2) and sodium carbonate (Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3). Following NaCl crystallization by evaporation of the brine, a mother liquor is obtained which still contains among others sulphate, potassium and bromide ions. Further concentration of this mother liquor by evaporation results in the precipitation of both NaCl and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and a more strongly concentrated mother liquor with respect to both potassium and bromide remains. This concentrated mother liquor is drained off. Either the precipitated NaCl and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 are dissolved in water or the Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is dissolved in purified brine or crude brine and then returned to the brine purification process, thereby lowering both the potassium and bromide ion levels in the purified brine. As a consequence the contents of both potassium and bromide of the NaCl are reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing sodium hydroxide comprising the steps of: (a contacting trona ore and sodium hydroxide under conditions suitable to form sodium carbonate; (b) removing essentially all solids larger than 32 mesh from the sodium carbonate product of step (a); (c) contacting the sodium carbonate product of step (b) and calcium hydroxide in the presence of a suitable amount of seed crystal calcium carbonate with crystal size in the range of about 1 to about 10 microns, and under conditions suitable to form aqueous sodium hydroxide and calcium carbonate crystals with crystal size in the range of about 30 to about 50 microns; and (d) recovering aqueous NaOH from the reaction product of step (c). The seed crystals may be introduced from an external source, or made insitu in the lime slaker by the addition of a small amount of sodium carbonate into the lime slaker.

Abstract: Methods are described for the low temperature preparation of the spinel LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 and layered LiCoO.sub.2 phases which are intercalable compounds of interest for use in lithium secondary batteries. These phases can be prepared in bulk or thick film form at temperatures less than 400.degree. C. using acetate precursors.

Abstract: Improved solvent extraction recovery of tantalum and niobium oxides from an acid solution of raw materials containing such oxides wherein the charged organic solvent [e.g., MIBK] is washed out (a) with 8-16N sulfuric acid and then (b) with water or dilute HF. This avoids the use of a second mineral acid addition after digestion by HF of raw materials (and avoids problems attendant to use a second mineral acid).

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of making metal stannates by reacting a solid metal oxide, hydroxide or carbonate with an aqueous stannate solution and recovering the precipitated metal stannate, the solid component being added in an amount which is stoichiometrically not substantially more then the amount of tin.

Abstract: The method involves removing wax from a substrate using a non-chlorinated solvent process. The substrate is dipped in a hot wax bath or heated in an oven to remove substantially all of the wax. The substrate is then submerged in either a single or a series of hot mineral oil baths to remove any remaining wax. The oil is then removed by a semi-aqueous or light organic cleaner. The semi-aqueous cleaner is subsequently removed in an alkaline-base cleaner bath. Following the alkaline-base cleaner is a cleansing with a rinsing solution preferably a countercurrent series of rinses. Finally, the substrate is dried.