Abstract: A process for obtaining metallic lead from its compounds present in an end-of-life lead-acid battery through a direct solid-solid reaction with metallic zinc includes a) dry mixing of the mixture of lead compounds present in an end-of-life lead-acid battery with a metered quantity of metallic zinc powder; b) an addition to the mass, during mixing, of water and of an aqueous solution containing a substance capable of forming soluble zinc salts; c) a separation of the solid, essentially consisting of metallic lead, from the liquid phase in which the soluble zinc salt is present; and d) an electrolytic treatment of the resulting previously separated solution in order to recover metallic zinc suitable for reuse in the dry mixing treatment.

Abstract: There is described a process completely performed in aqueous phase, which provides a heat etching of lead glass with aqueous solutions of strong alkali followed by an electrolytic treatment of the suspension so obtained, in order to recover metallic lead and obtain soluble silicates, separated from insoluble silicates, both lead-free. The process also provides for the production of pure silica, derived from the soluble silicates, and a possible use thereof to increase the ratio between silica and sodium oxide, which characterizes the specifications of the soluble silicates. The electrolysis for the recovery of metallic lead is implemented in a cell in which the polarity of the electrodes is periodically reversed, to obtain the detachment of the metallic lead deposited on the cathodes.

Abstract: There is described a process completely performed in aqueous phase, which provides a heat etching of lead glass with aqueous solutions of strong alkali followed by an electrolytic treatment of the suspension so obtained, in order to recover metallic lead and obtain soluble silicates, separated from insoluble silicates, both lead-free. The process also provides for the production of pure silica, derived from the soluble silicates, and a possible use thereof to increase the ratio between silica and sodium oxide, which characterizes the specifications of the soluble silicates. The electrolysis for the recovery of metallic lead is implemented in a cell in which the polarity of the electrodes is periodically reversed, to obtain the detachment of the metallic lead deposited on the cathodes.

Abstract: There is described a process of recycling screen glass resulting from the disposal of cathode tube televisions, with quantitative recovery of lead in the form of sulphide and of silicates of cations other than lead, and subsequently recycling all the materials so recovered.

Abstract: A process for recovery of the silica present in the separators located between the elements of lead-acid batteries characterized in that it comprises the following operations: a) washing the heavy plastics to remove the lead compounds and other foreign bodies, b) separating the plastics from the washing solution, c) lead recovery and regeneration of the washing solution, d) rinsing of the plastics, e) drying of the plastics, f) separation of the granular plastics from the thin plastics (polyethylene with silica filler, PVC, fabrics) by drawing them up in a flow of air making use of the shape effect, g) separation of the PVC and fabrics from the polyethylene with silica filler through fragmentation, h) pyrolysis of the polyethylene with silica filler, i) cracking of the pyrolysis gases and vapours in order to reduce their molecular weight and render them more suitable for handling and combustion to provide the heat necessary for pyrolysis, j) oxidation of the pyrolysis residue to remove carbonaceous residues a

Abstract: A process for recovery of the silica present in the separators located between the elements of lead-acid batteries characterized in that it comprises the following operations: a) washing the heavy plastics to remove the lead compounds and other foreign bodies, b) separating the plastics from the washing solution, c) lead recovery and regeneration of the washing solution, d) rinsing of the plastics, e) drying of the plastics, f) separation of the granular plastics from the thin plastics (polyethylene with silica filler, PVC, fabrics) by drawing them up in a flow of air making use of the shape effect, g) separation of the PVC and fabrics from the polyethylene with silica filler through fragmentation, h) pyrolysis of the polyethylene with silica filler, i) cracking of the pyrolysis gases and vapours in order to reduce their molecular weight and render them more suitable for handling and combustion to provide the heat necessary for pyrolysis, j) oxidation of the pyrolysis residue to remove carbonaceous residues a

Abstract: Process for desulphating a solid mixture and/or aggregate resulting from the breaking up of lead-acid batteries, comprising electrode slime containing lead compounds belonging to the group comprising oxides, oxidated compounds and sulphates, through contact with an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and a substance dissolving lanarkite in which the said solid residues containing lead compounds are suspended, in which the solid phase of the suspension is subjected to a chemical reaction whose action is assisted by brushing, shear and compression forces exerted by brushing or scraping and compressing mechanical means, thus achieving almost total desulphatation.

Abstract: An improved method for the recovery of lead from exhausted lead-acid storage batteries, comprising removal from the storage battery of the sulphuric acid solution, the coating element, the separators between the electrodes and the metal part i.e. grids, connectors and poles and milling of the remaining electrode paste of the storage battery to obtain an extremely fine powder (pastel),characterised by the following operations:a) treatment of the resulting powder with an aqueous saline solution, with a pH of between 0 and 8, capable of solubilising Pb (II) sulphate and oxide, leaving Pb (IV) oxide unsolubilised;b) reduction to metal lead of the bivalent lead ion, present in the soluble fraction, using metal iron, preferably in slight excess with respect to the stoichiometric proportions;c) reduction of the tetravalent lead oxide; andd) recovery of the salts used in the process step a) by elimination of the iron sulphate that has formed. FIG.

Abstract: Process and device for decomposition of tritiated water and the recovery of elemental tritium (T.sub.2) in which a metal is used which oxidizes in the presence of water according to the formulaMe+xT.sub.2 O.fwdarw.MeO.sub.x +xT.sub.2.According to the invention, said metal is placed in an enclosure, a wall of which is selectively permeable to hydrogen and its isotopes; tritiated water is injected into the enclosure and the space behind said wall is made to communicate with an absorbing device for hydrogen and its isotopes. The injection of tritiated water and the communication with the absorbing device are stopped from time to time for the purpose of regenerating the metal by supplying hydrogen or deuterium to said space and by extracting water from the enclosure.

Abstract: A porous separator, to be used in electrolyzers for producing hydrogen and oxygen by water electrolysis, consists of a fabric or felt entirely made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). In order to reduce the voltage drop caused by the separator, the PPS polymeric chain can be made ionically active by the presence thereon of polar groups, such as sulfonic, carboxylic or phosphonic groups.The method for producing the separator comprises the preparation, according to conventional weaving or felt manufacturing techniques, of a fabric or felt entirely made of PPS and the subsequent functionalization for introducing polar groups in the polymeric chain. The functionalization can be carried out either on the starting material, such as PPS polymer powder or flakes, or in any other step of the production of fabric or felt.

Abstract: Separator film for alkaline electrolysis and method for making thereof, wherein said separator film includes an aromatic polymer and polytitanic acid.

Abstract: Cationic membranes permeable to ions but fluid impermeable comprising a partly sulfonated terpolymer of styrene, divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine and acrylic acid, the degree of sulfonation varying through the membrane cross-section from a maximum or the anodic surface to a minimum at the cathodic surface, their preparation, their use in electrolysis cells and electrochemical processes.

Abstract: A measuring electrode for determining the concentration of aqueous sulfuric acid solutions comprising a lead electrode activated by anodic polarization in aqueous sulfuric acid and a process of determining the state of charge of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: Cationic membranes permeable to ions but fluid impermeable comprising a partly sufonated terpolymer of styrene, divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine and acrylic acid, the degree of sulfonation varying through the membrane cross-section from a maximum at the anodic surface to a minimum at the cathodic surface, their preparation, their use in electrolysis cells and electrochemical processes.

Abstract: Porous and electrolyte permeable composite diaphragms for electrolysis cells comprising a chemically inert, fibrous porous matrix or substrate impregnated with a copolymer of divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine, method of electrolysis of an electrolyte using the said diaphragms and an electrolysis cell containing said diaphragms.

Abstract: Novel membranes for electrochemical cells permeable to anions, fluid impervious and resistant to halogens and acidic and oxidizing environments comprised of copolymers of (1) divinylbenzene or halogenated vinyl monomers and (2) at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine with the copolymers being optionally N-alkylated or N-arylated, processes for preparing the said membranes and electrochemical cells and processes using the said membranes.

Abstract: A method of shaping an organic polymer insoluble in a polar solvent comprising reacting an insoluble organic polymer containing at least one Lewis acid electron attracting group or Lewis basic electron donating group with a sufficient amount of a lower alkylene oxide to alkoxylate the Lewis group and form an alkoxylated product soluble or easily dispersible in a polar solvent, dissolving or dispersing the alkoxylated product in a polar solvent, shaping the alkoxylated product into the desired form by applying the solution or dispersion to a support and removing the polar solvent, and hydrolyzing the alkoxylated product to obtain the original polymer in the desired form. Products made by the process include self-supporting polymeric films and porous diaphragms for electrolytic cells made by impregnating suitable porous supports with the alkoxylated product.

Abstract: A novel measuring electrode for determination of the concentration of anionic species in aqueous solutions by measuring the potential difference between the measuring electrode and a reference electrode comprising a body provided with an outer surface comprised of graphite or carbon black dispersed in a chemically inert matrix, said electrode being preactivated by anodic polarization in an aqueous alkaline or acid solution, the process of activating the said electrode and a method of ascertaining the charge state of an electric accumulator by determining the strength of the electrolyte therein.

Abstract: Porous and electrolyte permeable composite diaphragms for electrolysis cells comprising a chemically inert, fibrous porous matrix or substrate impregnated with a copolymer of divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine, method of electrolysis of an electrolyte using the said diaphragms and an electrolysis cell containing said diaphragms.

Abstract: A method of shaping an organic polymer insoluble in a polar solvent comprises reacting an insoluble organic polymer containing at least one Lewis acidic electron attracting group or Lewis basic group with a sufficient amount of a lower alkylene oxide to alkoxylate the Lewis group and form an alkoxylated product soluble or easily dispersible in a polar solvent, dissolving or dispersing the alkoxylated product in a polar solvent, shaping the alkoxylated product into the desired form by applying the solution or dispersion to a support and removing the polar solvent, and hydrolyzing the alkoxylated product to obtain the original polymer in the desired form. Products made by this process include self-supporting polymeric films and porous diaphragms for electrolytic cells made by impregnating suitable porous supports with the alkoxylated product.