Abstract: An ice-cube making device for use in a refrigerated cabinet is provided. The ice-cube making device is attachable to a freezer liner and thus makes efficient use of the space in the freezer cavity. The ice-cube making device includes a mechanism for extracting ice by applying a twisting torque to one or more ice-cube trays therein. The ice-cube making device may also include mechanisms for refilling the ice trays with water and for providing a user-friendly installation. Aspects of the present invention may be performed either manually or may be automated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low energy hydrometallurgical process for the production of strontium carbonate of chemical and glass grade from carbonate rich celestite ores typically having around 28% combined strontianite, calcite, dolomite and other carbonates. This process avoids negative environmental impact usually associated to calcining technology and involves fewer processing stages than prior art hydrometallurgical processes. Thus, in two stages which provide: (1) the acid wash of the celestite ore in an acid medium to eliminate carbonates present other than strontium carbonates and (2) the conversion of the thus enriched celestite to strontium carbonate in an air/vapor-lift loop reactor using a sodium carbonate aqueous medium, a step permitting recovery of sodium sulfate as a by-product. Thus, an almost complete conversion of the strontium sulfate present in the enriched ore is achieved.