Abstract: A method of reducing the pressure of a liquid includes the steps of providing a conduit containing a packing material, such that a large number of small passages are formed in the packing material, and passing the liquid through the conduit and the packing material. The amount of packing material through which the liquid flows can be varied to vary the pressure drop experienced by the liquid passing through the packing material. The reduction in pressure achieved may be stepwise (discrete) or continuous. The method may be used to reduce the pressure of an aqueous polymer solution for use in a polymer flood technique for oil extraction, and allows the pressure to be reduced without damage to the polymer.

Abstract: A method of reducing the pressure of a liquid includes the steps of providing a conduit containing a packing material, such that a large number of small passages are formed in the packing material, and passing the liquid through the conduit and the packing material. The amount of packing material through which the liquid flows can be varied to vary the pressure drop experienced by the liquid passing through the packing material. The reduction in pressure achieved may be stepwise (discrete) or continuous. The method may be used to reduce the pressure of an aqueous polymer solution for use in a polymer flood technique for oil extraction, and allows the pressure to be reduced without damage to the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and equipment for production of high purity silicon by reduction of SiCl4 with molten Zn metal. The method is characterized in that the reduction takes place in contact with a molten salt that dissolves ZnCl2. The ZnCl2 produced during the reduction then dissolves in the molten salt rather than evaporates. The advantage is that gas evolution during the reduction is minimised, leading to higher utilisation of the SiCl4 and Zn and thereby a higher Si yield. Another advantage is that the molten salt efficiently protects the air sensitive materials, Zn, SiCl4 and Si, from oxidation during the reduction. The resulting molten salt containing the ZnCl2 can be used for electrolysis of ZnCl2 to regenerate the Zn metal. Chlorine evolved during the electrolysis can be used to produce SiCl4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the current efficiency (CE) in an electrolytic aluminum production cell with an electrolytic bath, at least one anode and at least one cathode, and passing current between said anode and said cathode through said bath and feeding an aluminum containing feedstock to the cell. The CE is improved in that the aluminum containing feedstock is prepared in a manner where it contains substantially no humidity or water before it is fed to the cell, where the electrolytic process is carried out at conditions with reduced amount of hydrogen present.

Abstract: Method and equipment for production of high purity silicon (Si) metal from reduction of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) by liquid zinc metal. The Zn reduction of SiCl4 and the production of Zn by electrolysis of ZnCl2 take place in a common, combined reactor and electrolysis cell using a molten salt as electrolyte. The reactor and electrolysis cell may preferably be provided in a common housing which is divided into two or more communicating compartments (13, 1, 2) by a first or more partition walls (15, 8, 7). Further, the electrolysis of ZnCl2, performed by means of suitable electrodes, is taking place in at least one compartment (1, 2) and the Zn reduction of SiCl4 takes place in at least one other compartment (13), where Zn metal flows between the chamber/s (1,2) of the ZnCl2 electrolysis to the chamber/s (13) of SiCl4 reduction, and where the electrolyte circulates between the chamber/s of ZnCl2 electrolysis to the chamber/s of SiCl4 reduction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the manufacture of silicon tetrachloride by conversion of a mixture of finely divided and/or amorphous silicon dioxide, carbon and an energy donator with chlorine. Energy donators are metallic or silicon alloys such as silicon, ferrosilicon or calcium suicide. The addition of the donors effects a self-sustaining, exothermic reaction on one hand and a significant lowering of the reaction starting temperature on the other hand. As finely divided and/or amorphous silicon dioxide ashes containing silicon dioxide are primarily used. These are produced by the incineration of silicon-containing plant skeletal structures such as rice husks or straw. Other sources include silicas from the digestion of alkaline earth silicates with hydrochloric acid and filtered particulate from the electrochemical manufacture of silicon, as well as naturally occurring products containing silicon dioxide, such as diatomaceous earth kieselguhr).

Abstract: This invention describes a method of producing a metal, M1, in an electrolytic cell consisting of a molten electrolyte, MZY-MZO, at least one anode and at least one cathode, characterised in that the passage of current between said anode(s) and cathode(s) through said electrolyte, produces a metal, M1, from a raw material, M1X, containing a non-metallic species, X, under conditions such that the potential at the cathode causes the reduction of the MZ cation and the formation of MZ at activities less than one, and the potential at the cathode is insufficient to cause formation of MZ metal as a discrete solid or liquid phase, and the MZ so produced reduces the raw material, M1X, at the cathode, to M1.

Abstract: The present method relates to a method and a cell for electrolytic production of zinc from a salt melt comprising zinc chloride. The cell has at least one electrolysis chamber (2) containing an electrolyte and at least one adjacent chamber (1) separated from said electrolysis chamber by means of at least one partition wall (7, 8). The atmosphere(s) in the electrolysis chamber(s) is separated from the atmosphere(s) in the adjacent chamber(s) by the at least one partition wall. The electrolyte is directed to flow between the electrolysis chamber(s) and the adjacent chamber(s) through at least one opening in or at the partition wall(s) below the level of the electrolyte level. The Zinc metal produced is collected in the bottom of the cell. The electrolyte flow can be controlled in a substantial laminar manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the current efficiency (CE) in an electrolytic aluminium production cell with an electrolytic bath, at least one anode and at least one cathode, and passing current between said anode and said cathode through said bath and feeding an aluminium containing feedstock to the cell. The CE is improved in that the aluminium containing feedstock is prepared in a manner where it contains substantially no humidity or water before it is fed to the cell, where the electrolytic process is carried out at conditions with reduced amount of hydrogen present.