Abstract: An extraction column includes: one or several vertically aligned stages; fittings for inletting a phase containing a component that is desired to be extracted; fittings for inletting an extracting phase; and fittings for outletting the two phases after treatment in the column. Each stage includes two volumes, an internal one inside an outer one in fluid communication with each other via an intermediate volume. The internal volume is intended to cause mixing between the phase containing the component that is desired to be extracted, and the extracting phase. The outer volume is intended to cause the reseparation of the two phases, the one from the other after the mixing happens. The two fittings, the one high, the other low, for the two phases after their separation, are arranged in a calm zone. There is also a device for adducing the two phases from the outlet fittings of the reseparation volume to a subsequent treatment stage.

Abstract: A device for pre-treating electronic circuit scraps has a conduit placed at a slope to the vertical direction. Also, some counter-rotating disk wheels are arranged in a cascade and bear grid-like vanes. These wheels begin at an upper end where the scraps are introduced through an inlet and extend down to a lower end where a scrap outlet is located. The inlet and the outlet for the scraps are made up of rotatable doors. The inlet has a loading opening and the outlet has a discharge conveyor. Air barriers may be interposed at the inlet and the outlet. The conduit includes an element that causes the heat-exchange fluid to circulate inside from the lower end to the upper end.

Abstract: A process comprising spent metal etching solutions, the process comprising the steps of: 1) extracting the metal ions from the spent etching solution by means of a liquid ion exchanger; 2) washing the liquid ion exchanger by means of water; 3) vaporizing the washing water; 4) crystallizing the concentrate after vaporization; 5) filtering the regenerated etching solution; 6) restoring the quality of the etching solution; 7) reextracting the metal from the metal-loaded ion exchanger; 8) washing the liquid ion exchanger; 9) neutralizing the washing water; 10) filtering after carrying out the neutralization; and 11) recovering metal electrolytically.

Abstract: A device for washing metal-containing sludges, comprising a screw feeder cylinder bearing blades placed between the turns and rotatably supported in both senses on its horizontal axis within a fixed cylinder containing a washing fluid. The fluid is circulated between the inside of the screw feeder cylinder and the gap between the same and the fixed cylinder. The exhausted washing fluid is removed and is replaced within the fixed cylinder by fresh washing fluid, according to the adjustment of a level control. The screw feeder cylinder is caused to rotate in both senses so as to cause the sludge to be washed to go forward and backward so meeting the washing fluid inside the cylinder itself according to a predetermined washing program. After such a program has been completed, the sludge now washed is removed after filtering.

Abstract: Used appliance batteries are subjected to a thermal-mechanical treatment in a closed container at a temperature at which, with the assistance of mechanical pressure and/or impact, metal-plastics and metal-metal bonds are disrupted. Then, after the metal parts, the synthetic plastics parts and graphite electrodes are separated by conventional physical separating methods, vaporized mercury is extracted and washed with sulphuric acid in a washing device and any metal salts are brought into solution and processed by ion exchange. The treatment is carried out in an apparatus which includes a heatable container provided with a closable charging aperture, a discharge orifice and with feed and discharge lines for inert gas. A gas washing device for the inert gas leaving the container employs sulphuric acid with which the vaporized mercury reacts forming mercury sulphate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of metal-laminated plastics scrap and/or radio, television or computer scrap, wherein the scrap is heated in a closed container to a temperature at which the metal-plastic bond is broken and the metal and plastics parts are segregated from each other. The apparatus comprises a heatable container which is provided with a closable scrap charging opening and a closable products removal opening. An inert feed conduit and inert gas removal conduit are connected to the container which is formed as a rotary tube. An inert gas washing chamber is provided between the inert gas removal conduit and the inert gas feed conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing metals from metal-charged waste sludges from industry, clarification plants, or the like, in which the sludges are treated with a solvent for the metals, the resulting solution is separated from the undissolved substances and worked up to yield the metals, and the remaining solids are dumped as safe waste materials or used as fertilizers. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out this working-up method, characterized by a mixing apparatus for mixing the solvent and the sludge which is to be treated, a residence zone, an adjoining apparatus for separating the metal-charged solvent from the insoluble fraction, and optionally an apparatus for drying the insoluble fraction. Metal sludges can be continuously worked up, if desired, in the apparatus according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovery of metals from metal/plastic waste using used etching and washing solutions from the electronics industry, with the following process steps:(a) heating of the metal/plastic waste in a heating bath in order to separate the metal from the plastic;(b) dissolution of the metal component in the optionally regenerated etching and washing solutions;(c) conversion of the dissolved metal component into the sulfate through treatment with ion exchanger;(d) electrolytic deposition and, if appropriate, selective separation of the metal component into the individual metals, and(e) regeneration of the ion exchanger with reformation of the reusable etching solution.

Abstract: A safety arrangement is utilized for separating liquids including milk, extraneous water, and cleaning medium in a system which has two supply conduits, a first running container for receiving the liquids from the supply conduits, a negative pressure device connected with the first running container and a pump conveying liquids from the first running container to separate receiving containers. The arrangement has two first sensing elements in the supply conduits upstream of the first running container, and a second conduit downstream of the latter and upstream of the receiving containers. Close-off valves are located between the first sensing elements and the first running container. An electronic control device connects the sensing elements with the close-off valves so as to actuate the latter in response to sensing of characteristics of the liquids at the above-mentioned locations, by the sensing elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding-down apparatus for a deep-drawing press. It is known for the deep-drawing of particularly heavy platines that the holding-down of the platine by the holding plate is of very great significance for the quality of the workpiece. The setting of the respective correct holding-down forces is decisive for whether the workpiece is flat and without folds or tears at the drawing flange and at the deformation zone when it comes out of the deep-drawing press. A too high holding force hinders the reduction of the workpiece diameter which is derived from the stroke of the deep-drawing and overloads therefore the vicinity of the border of the deformation zone. A too low holding-down force leads to the formation of folds.