Abstract: Provided herein a process for purification of an ionic liquid from heavy metals, comprising combining heavy metal-containing ionic liquid and a sulfide source to form heavy metal sulfide, and separating said heavy metal sulfide from the ionic liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrometallurgical method for recovering metals from spent energy storage devices. The method comprises combining aqueous hydrobromic acid leach solution and an electrode material of spent energy storage devices in a reaction vessel, dissolving the metals contained in the electrode material to form soluble metal bromide salts, removing elemental bromine, if formed, from the reaction vessel, separating insoluble material, if present, from the leach solution to obtain a metal-bearing solution and isolating one or more metals from said metal-bearing solution.

Abstract: Use of a packaging system for mutually incompatible agrochemicals, particularly for fertilizers, wherein said package (5) comprises: an external bag (12) and an inner bag (10) thereby forming two compartments; the inside of the inner bag being the inner compartment (10d) and the space between the inner side of the external bag and the outer side of the inner bag being the outer compartment (11d); wherein a first of the at least two mutually exclusive fertilizers is packaged in the inner compartment, and a second of the at least two mutually exclusive fertilizers is packaged in the outer compartment.

Abstract: Provided herein a process for purification of an ionic liquid from heavy metals, comprising combining heavy metal-containing ionic liquid and a sulfide source to form heavy metal sulfide, and separating said heavy metal sulfide from the ionic liquid.

Abstract: A water-soluble insert for use in joining pipes, made of a material comprising a salt selected from the group consisting of KCl, Na Cl, and mixtures thereof; and MgO. Upon addition of a small amount of water to the material, the MgO reacts with hygroscopic impurities in the chloride salt to provide a material with superior properties. The insert is cast from the material, in general by being placed on a form and compressed. Also disclosed is the use of the insert in joining the ends of two pipes, especially pipes made from thermoplastic. The insert is placed in the matching pipe ends, which are then welded. After the join is complete, water is flowed through the pipe, dissolving the insert.

Abstract: A solvent extraction process for recovering bromide from a sulfate-containing aqueous stream, the process comprises an extraction step wherein said aqueous stream is mixed with an extraction medium comprising a tertiary amine extractant dissolved in one or more water-immiscible organic solvents, wherein said mixing is carried out in a strongly acidic environment, thereby forming bromide-containing extract and a raffinate with a reduced bromide level, wherein the bromide-containing extract is optionally treated to further minimize the presence of sulfate and is subsequently combined with an aqueous calcium source to form calcium bromide.

Abstract: A water-soluble insert for use in joining pipes, made of a material comprising a salt selected from the group consisting of KCl, Na Cl, and mixtures thereof; and MgO. Upon addition of a small amount of water to the material, the MgO reacts with hygroscopic impurities in the chloride salt to provide a material with superior properties. The insert is cast from the material, in general by being placed on a form and compressed. Also disclosed is the use of the insert in joining the ends of two pipes, especially pipes made from thermoplastic. The insert is placed in the matching pipe ends, which are then welded. After the join is complete, water is flowed through the pipe, dissolving the insert.

Abstract: A solvent extraction process for recovering bromide from a sulfate-containing aqueous stream, the process comprises an extraction step wherein said aqueous stream is mixed with an extraction medium comprising a tertiary amine extractant dissolved in one or more water-immiscible organic solvents, wherein said mixing is carried out in a strongly acidic environment, thereby forming bromide-containing extract and a raffinate with a reduced bromide level, wherein the bromide-containing extract is optionally treated to further minimize the presence of sulfate and is subsequently combined with an aqueous calcium source to form calcium bromide.

Abstract: A process for producing KNO3 from polyhalite to is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises steps of (a) contacting polyhalite with HNO3; (b) adding Ca(OH)2 to the solution, thereby precipitating as CaSO4 at least part of the sulfate present in said solution; (c) precipitating as Mg(OH)2 at least part of the Mg2+ remaining in said solution by further addition of Ca(OH)2 to the remaining solution; (d) concentrating the solution, thereby precipitating as a sulfate compound at least part of the sulfate remaining in solution; (e) separating at least part of the NaCl from the solution remaining; and (f) crystallizing as solid KNO3 at least part of the K+ and NO3-contained in the solution. The process enables direct conversion of polyhalite to KNO3 of purity exceeding 98.5% and that is essentially free of magnesium and sulfate impurities.

Abstract: A method for the production of KNO3 from polyhalite is provided. The method comprises steps of decomposing said polyhalite into syngenite, gypsum, and soluble components, treating the solid decomposition products sequentially with HNO3 and Ca basic compound, precipitating the CaSO4 thus formed, and crystallizing the KNO3 from the solution remaining. The method recovers up to 75% of the potassium present in the raw polyhalite as KNO3 and substantially all of the remainder as a potassium magnesium sulfate salt.

Abstract: A method for the production of KNO3 from polyhalite is provided. The method comprises steps of decomposing said polyhalite into syngenite, gypsum, and soluble components, treating the solid decomposition products sequentially with HNO3 and Ca basic compound, precipitating the CaSO4 thus formed, and crystallizing the KNO3 from the solution remaining. The method recovers up to 75% of the potassium present in the raw polyhalite as KNO3 and substantially all of the remainder as a potassium magnesium sulfate salt.

Abstract: A process for producing KNO3 from polyhalite to is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises steps of (a) contacting polyhalite with HNO3; (b) adding Ca(OH)2 to the solution, thereby precipitating as CaSO4 at least part of the sulfate present in said solution; (c) precipitating as Mg(OH)2 at least part of the Mg2+ remaining in said solution by further addition of Ca(OH)2 to the remaining solution; (d) concentrating the solution, thereby precipitating as a sulfate compound at least part of the sulfate remaining in solution; (e) separating at least part of the NaCl from the solution remaining; and (f) crystallizing as solid KNO3 at least part of the K+ and NO3-contained in the solution. The process enables direct conversion of polyhalite to KNO3 of purity exceeding 98.5% and that is essentially free of magnesium and sulfate impurities.

Abstract: A novel and useful vehicle integrated communications system that provides a solution to the poor performance experienced at the cell edge in a cellular communications system due to weak signal strength and high interference levels. A core cellular communications platform embedded (integrated) into the vehicle platform utilizes multiple antennas integrated into the body of the vehicle which are coupled to a multi-antenna transceiver; receives electrical power from the vehicle power source eliminating the limitations of hand held device batteries; processes multiple MIMO RF signals taking advantage of antenna diversity, beamforming and spatial multiplexing; executes advanced interference mitigation algorithms; implements adaptive modulation and coding algorithms; and utilizes dynamic channel modeling and estimation to significantly improve performance.

Abstract: A method and system for continuously sampling events with respect to one or more sampling entities, comprising receiving a new event, adding the new event to a current events list, selecting an event to be sampled from the current events list, obtaining feedback data from the selected event, and saving feedback data in a feedback store, wherein said current events list is continuously updated with newly received events, wherein said feedback store is continuously updated with newly received samples feedback, and wherein said continuously updated current events list and feedback store are used by said step of selecting one or more event to be sampled.

Abstract: A height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a shower head by the use of the water pressure within the shower system is comprised of an inflatable bladder disposed within a channel. A first hollow tubular member extends from an opening on the bladder and has a typical shower head attached thereto while a second hollow tubular member extends from another opening on the bladder and connects to a typical water source. As water is presented into the system, the bladder inflates and engages the walls of the channel thereby holding the shower head in place. Cooperating protrusions and indentations can be used to assist in the friction engagement of the bladder with the channel walls.