Abstract: A method for producing copper metal from copper concentrates without generating waste by: (a) oxidizing copper concentrate; (b) cleaning and cooling the gases; (c) feeding to a reduction reactor; (d) cleaning the gases; (e) discharging hot powders and calcines into water; (f) performing magnetic separation; (g) thickening and filtering the magnetic fraction; (h) floating silica and inert materials; (i) thickening and filtering the silica and inert materials; (j) thickening and filtering the final concentrate containing the copper metal and noble metals; (k) smelting the final concentrate of copper and noble metals; and (l) recirculating ground smelt slag to a roasting reactor.

Abstract: A fast cooling equipment for organic or inorganic vapors that comprises a vertical double-truncated-cone body joined by the apex of both cones, provided with an external refrigeration jacket along its entire length; an upper coverlid placed at the base of the upper inverted truncated cone, provided with a central entrance for the vapors to be condensed with a thermal insulating layer; an annular chamber provided with two or more openings or nozzles from which a cold gas is blown; an annular chamber located below the cold gas chamber; an inner central cone located inside the lower section of the condenser body, provided in turn with an internal cooling system and deflecting baffles located at one or more cone levels and in mutually opposing directions between each successive level; and a lower accumulation section for liquids or other condensable materials, provided with a conventional drain system and a lateral exit for gases and liquids that are separated in a conventional cyclone system.

Abstract: Equipment and a process to produce biofuel by fast pyrolysis of organic material, comprising a system of three interconnected serial fluidized bed reactors: a fast pyrolysis reactor located inside another reactor wherein charcoal is burned; a combustion reactor that burns the charcoal generated in the fast pyrolysis reactor; and a preheating reactor to preheat inert particulate material. The equipment also includes a pneumatic recycling system for inert particulate material.

Abstract: Lithium carbonate can be efficiently produced from a brine by (i) removing the boron therefrom, (ii) diluting the boron-free brine, (iii) removing magnesium from the diluted brine, and (iv) adding sodium carbonate to thereby precipitate lithium carbonate. By diluting the boron-free brine, the co-precipitation of lithium carbonate during the magnesium removal process is greatly reduced, thereby improving the recovery and purity of the lithium carbonate.

Abstract: Boron is effectively removed from brine, including lithium-containing brines, by acidifying the brine to a pH of 0.1 to 6.0 and then contacting the brine with an extraction medium comprising at least a diol having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in an aromatic solvent. The extraction medium may also contain high aliphatic alcohols and/or a phase modifier. The boron can be stripped from the boron rich extractant medium by a re-extraction stage utilizing an aqueous alkaline solution.

Abstract: A process for extracting boron from brines of natural or industrial salt mines which includes the steps of reacting borates contained in the brine with a solution of hydrochloric acid and forming boric acid, cooling the brine containing boric acid, separating the boric acid from the remainder of the brine to obtain impure boric acid and brine having a low boron content, washing the impure boric acid with distilled or demineralized water to obtain purified boric acid, and drying the purified boric acid. Boric acid crystals thus obtained are washed and recrystallized. The remaining boron in the low boron content brine can be removed by extraction in a paraffin solvent. The boron can then be re-extracted from the solvent and converted to boric acid for isolation and purification as above.

Abstract: Low grade copper concentrates containing molybdenum are roasted under conditions to form copper and molybdenum compounds which are soluble in dilute sulfuric acid solutions.Molybdenum is then recovered by solvent extraction from these solutions and further precipitated as ammonium molybdate, while copper can be electrowinned or precipitated from the raffinate.Overall recovery efficiencies are 96% for copper and 84% for molybdenum.

Abstract: Molybdenite or MoS.sub.2 materials, particularly finely divided flotation concentrates, are oxidized (roasted) to form molybdenum trioxide in a continuous composite fluidized bed containing non-elutriated refractory solids. A relatively high recycle ratio of oxidized calcine to feed is maintained for best results. The temperature of the circulated oxidized solids is maintained high to avoid sticking and deposition problems. High throughputs and high conversions have been achieved, with the product having a low sulfur content.