Abstract: Lithium chloride is separated from its mixtures with calcium chloride by preferentially dissolving the lithium chloride in tetrahydrofuran. The separation is achieved since the lithium chloride is soluble in tetrahydrofuran, while the calcium chloride is not. The process is particularly applicable to geothermal brines.

Abstract: An alloy of thorium and a Group VIII transition metal is oxidized, for example in air, and subsequently reduced, for example with hydrogen gas, to produce a high surface area catalyst containing thorium oxide and one or more Group VIII transition metals. The catalyst thus produced may be used as such or may be further treated to enhance its activity.

Abstract: Highly active catalysts, suitable for use in hydrogenation and other reactions, are prepared from an alloy of one or more of the Group VIII transition metals with a Group IIA metal, a Group IVB metal, or an actinide. The alloy is ground to the desired particle size and is thereafter reacted with a gas, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen, to form an intimate physical admixture of the Group VIII metal or its corresponding carbide with the oxide of other metal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for extracting uranium values from a uranium-containing carbonaceous ore such as lignite. This process includes the step of treating the ore with an aqueous leach solution containing a water-soluble ferric salt.

Abstract: Tertiary amines such as alkyl or benzyl amines are catalytically oxidized by oxygen over an activated carbon catalyst to selectively produce secondary amines.

Abstract: Aluminum nitrate solutions are subjected to hydrolysis at elevated temperature and pressure, with the pressure being kept relatively low by continual bleeding of reactant gases from the reaction vessel. The resultant product is a noncrystalline alumina that may be readily converted to crystalline alumina by roasting.In addition, the discharged reactant gases are employed for leaching of clay to provide aluminum nitrate feed solution.

Abstract: A method for producing substantially pure alumina from kaolin clay by removing in a soluble form impurities which contaminate the alumina while the aluminum is maintained in an insoluble form. This is accomplished by leaching calcined kaolin clay with at least 36 weight percent hydrochloric acid to dissolve the impurities and convert the aluminum to insoluble aluminum chloride and maintaining the hydrochloric acid concentration in the leach liquor at at least 36 weight percent by the injection of hydrochloric acid gas. The insoluble aluminum chloride is then separated from the dissolved impurities and subjected to a second leaching step to solubilize and separate it from the silica gangue. Substantially pure AlCl.sub.3.sup.. 6H.sub.2 O crystals are recovered from solution and converted to alumina by conventional means. In an alternate embodiment, the process may be practiced on uncalcined clay and includes the addition of a source of fluoride ions, such as H.sub.2 SiF.sub.

Abstract: Alumina is recovered from aluminum sulfate leach liquors by treatment of the liquor with HCl gas to the point of incipient crystallization of AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2 O, extraction of the resulting solution with a tertiary amine to remove iron, further treatment with HHl gas to precipitate AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2 O and roasting of the AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2 O to Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A hydrated metal salt is dehydrated to its anhydrous form by dissolving the metal salt hydrate in an organic solvent; and contacting the solvent solution of metal salt hydrate with a molecular sieve of a pore size sufficient to permit the absorption of water molecules but of a size too small to absorb solvent molecules.

Abstract: Alumina monohydrate is produced by leaching calcined clay and subjecting the leach liquor to pressure hydrolysis wherein the vapor and heat resulting from the pressure hydrolysis are directly utilized for leaching of the calcined clay. The aluminum monohydrate may be roasted to yield alumina.

Abstract: Alumina monohydrate is produced by treating aluminum nitrate solution at a temperature of about 250.degree. to 350.degree. C and a pressure of about 500 to 2500 psig.

Abstract: Iron is removed from concentrated aluminum nitrate solution by solvent extraction with tri-n-butyl phosphate.

Abstract: A process for recovering copper from oxidized ores by utilizing alkaline leachants having incorporated therein siliceous material to inhibit the dehydration of the formed copper complex, thereby permitting increased recovery and improved settling and filtering characteristics of the reacted slurry.

Abstract: Recovery of copper from sulfide ores is achieved by placing the ore together with a caustic soda or potash solution in a pressure vessel. An oxidizing gas is then introduced into the vessel and the temperature and pressure of the system is adjusted as required. Copper ions are freed from the crystalline structure in the form of the complex anion, Cu(OH).sub.4 .sup.=. The copper may then be recovered by reduction or precipitation as cupric oxide.