Abstract: An improved beta(?)-spodumene (˜LiAlSi2O6) nitric acid conversion process produces discrete lithium (Li), aluminum (Al) and silica (SiO2) materials by: (i) converting lithium nitrate, LiNO3, to lithium carbonate, Li2CO3; (ii) creating a Al-rich precipitate either by thermally decomposing aluminum nitrate, Al(NO3)3, or by reacting Al(NO3)3 with aqueous and/or solid ammonium carbonate, (NH4)2CO3; and (iii) forming a solid SiO2-rich aluminosilicate residue by selectively leaching Li and Al from ?-spodumene. Three key reactants consumed during processing—nitric acid (HNO3), ammonia (NH3), and magnesium oxide (MgO)—may be regenerated internally by closed-loop chemical cycles, this feature of the process greatly improving its economics in commercial applications.

Abstract: A process for the chemical conversion of contaminated magnesium hydroxide to high purity solutions of magnesium bicarbonate include steps of providing an impure reagent including at least 40% and less than 95% by total weight of total metals of magnesium in a form of solid magnesium hydroxide and at least 10% by weight of total metals of calcium carbonate, combining the impure reagent containing the solid magnesium hydroxide with carbonic acid in water, thereby generating magnesium bicarbonate and water and then filtering out solid calcium carbonate leaving a solution of magnesium bicarbonate in water having a by weight ratio of Mg/(Mg+Ca) in the solution of greater than 95%. Heating and/or drying the magnesium bicarbonate solution produces correspondingly high purity magnesium carbonate.

Abstract: A process for the chemical conversion of contaminated magnesium hydroxide to high purity solutions of magnesium bicarbonate include steps of providing an impure reagent including at least 40% and less than 95% by total weight of total metals of magnesium in a form of solid magnesium hydroxide and at least 10% by weight of total metals of calcium carbonate, combining the impure reagent containing the solid magnesium hydroxide with carbonic acid in water, thereby generating magnesium bicarbonate and water and then filtering out solid calcium carbonate leaving a solution of magnesium bicarbonate in water having a by weight ratio of Mg/(Mg+Ca) in the solution of greater than 95%. Heating and/or drying the magnesium bicarbonate solution produces correspondingly high purity magnesium carbonate.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: Magnesiothermic methods of producing solid silicon are provided. In a first embodiment, solid silica and magnesium gas are reacted at a temperature from 400° C. to 1000° C. to produce solid silicon and solid magnesium oxide, the silicon having a purity from 98.0 to 99.9999%. The silicon is separated from the magnesium oxide using an electrostatic technology. In a second embodiment, the solid silicon is reacted with magnesium gas to produce solid magnesium silicide. The magnesium silicide is contacted with hydrogen chloride gas or hydrochloric acid to produce silane gas. The silane gas is thermally decomposed to produce solid silicon and hydrogen gas, the silicon having a purity of at least 99.9999%. The solid silicon and hydrogen gas are separated into two processing streams. The hydrogen gas is recycled for reaction with chlorine gas to produce hydrogen chloride gas.

Abstract: A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein.

Abstract: Magnesiothermic methods of producing solid silicon are provided. In a first embodiment, solid silica and magnesium gas are reacted at a temperature from 400° C. to 1000° C. to produce solid silicon and solid magnesium oxide, the silicon having a purity from 98.0 to 99.9999%. The silicon is separated from the magnesium oxide using an electrostatic technology. In a second embodiment, the solid silicon is reacted with magnesium gas to produce solid magnesium silicide. The magnesium silicide is contacted with hydrogen chloride gas or hydrochloric acid to produce silane gas. The silane gas is thermally decomposed to produce solid silicon and hydrogen gas, the silicon having a purity of at least 99.9999%. The solid silicon and hydrogen gas are separated into two processing streams. The hydrogen gas is recycled for reaction with chlorine gas to produce hydrogen chloride gas.

Abstract: Compressed hydrogen gas can be stored and transferred in hollow structures with walls that include at least one layer or interlayer of at least one porous metal, the purpose of the latter being to protect one or more surrounding layers from the damage that can be caused by diffusive flux of hydrogen gas. The masses of hydrogen gas that enter the layer(s)/interlayer(s) of the porous metal(s) are continuously or periodically removed from the interconnected pore space in the layer(s)/interlayer(s) of the porous metal(s) to ensure that the pressure(s) of the hydrogen gas remain(s) low—generally less than or equal to one atmosphere. When the structure that holds compressed hydrogen gas is a cylindrical pressure vessel, pipe or pipeline, a manufacturing technique known as “C-forming” can be used to create a wall that contains at least one layer or interlayer of at least one porous metal.

Abstract: A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention further relates to a process for production of magnesium metal or a magnesium compound where an external source of carbon dioxide is not used in any of the reactions of the process. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing the hydrogen-gas compatibilities, hydrogen-gas embrittlement susceptibilities, hydrogen-gas containment performances, and/or the hydrogen-gas pressure-cycling durabilities, of hollow enclosures (“test specimens”), with single-layer, double-layer, or multi-layer walls, composed of various barrier materials, are disclosed. Barrier materials include but are not limited to: carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, a polymeric material (e.g., high-density polyethylene), and a liquid material (e.g., water, or an aqueous solution). The test gas is either high-purity hydrogen or a hydrogen-bearing gas mixture (e.g., hydrogen gas mixed with methane/natural gas and/or biomethane). A key piece of the testing equipment is an enclosure that surrounds the test specimen. Fabricated from high-strength, porous solid material (e.g.

Abstract: Enhanced containment, capture, transfer, and storage of hydrogen gas in sealed enclosures is achieved using multi-layered materials comprising polymer(s), metal(s), metal alloy(s) and/or metal oxide(s) that either form, line, or coat the wall(s) of the sealed enclosures. These composite materials decrease “loss” of hydrogen gas by combining equilibrium and kinetic barriers to hydrogen diffusion. Capture and separation of gaseous hydrogen permeating through the wall(s) of an enclosure is accomplished by trapping the gas in either one or more internal liquid layers, or in one or more attached, gas-tight covers. Tightly packed sets of sealed enclosures, especially pipes or tubes with one or more polymer/metal±metal oxide/liquid layers or interlayers can be placed in hydrogen “warehouses” and/or “silos” to provide seasonally firmed supplies of hydrogen gas to local or city-gate markets.

Abstract: A hydrogen fueling system uses solid and/or liquid material(s) to create hydrogen-bearing gas inside one or more fuel compartments. A fuel compartment may be of any size or shape, and its wall(s) may be single- or multi-layered, and of any total thickness. Solid, liquid, and/or gaseous material(s) may flow through one or more entry/exit ports in an individual compartment, or in two or more compartments. If the fueling system contains two or more compartments, material(s) may flow into, or out of, individual compartments in series or in parallel—e.g., sequentially or simultaneously, and hydrogen-bearing gas may flow from one compartment to another. However, solids and liquids do not flow between individual compartments. Hydrogen-bearing gas may be produced inside a compartment by: a reduction in gas pressure, creation of heat from one or more internal or external sources, and/or the occurrence of one or more chemical reactions.