Abstract: A method and system for performing characterization of one or more materials. One or more materials are scanned by means of a sensory system including an X-ray sensor configured to perform multi-energy imaging for obtaining at least a lower-energy X-ray image and a higher-energy X-ray image. Images obtained by means of the sensory system are segmented, and for each segmented object, data indicative of an area density and data indicative of an atom number by analysis of the lower-energy X-ray image and the higher-energy X-ray image, and data indicative of the area density and atom number is determined by means of a calibrated model. Data indicative of a mass is calculated based on the data indicative of the area density and the data indicative of the area of each of the segmented objects.

Abstract: A method and system for performing characterization of one or more materials. One or more materials are scanned by means of a sensory system including an X-ray sensor configured to perform multi-energy imaging for obtaining at least a lower-energy X-ray image and a higher-energy X-ray image. Images obtained by means of the sensory system are segmented, and for each segmented object, data indicative of an area density and data indicative of an atom number by analysis of the lower-energy X-ray image and the higher-energy X-ray image, and data indicative of the area density and atom number is determined by means of a calibrated model. Data indicative of a mass is calculated based on the data indicative of the area density and the data indicative of the area of each of the segmented objects.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sorbent material is described, to include mixing a first granular material containing iron and a second granular material containing aluminum hydroxide. The first granular material and the second granular material are mixed in a proportion such that a ratio of Fe to Al is between 0.5 and 3.5 by weight. The second granular material has an Al content (including aluminum hydroxide phases) of at least 30% by weight. The mixture is subjected to a thermal treatment at a temperature between 400° C. and 950° C. to obtain a sorbent material comprising a first phase rich in iron oxides bound by a matrix rich in aluminum oxide, and the obtained sorbent material has a compressive strength of at least 3 MPa.

Abstract: A method of making a composite compact or briquette may include mixing a first particulate material with at most 15% by weight of a powder coating material to obtain a mixture, and compacting the mixture into a compact. Either the first particulate material, the powder coating material, or both are advantageously waste materials. The first particulate material has a metal content of at least 50% by weight. The compact can be cured at temperatures between 50° C. and 300° C. to obtain the composite briquette. The composite briquette may include a binding phase formed of the cured waste powder coating material, and a dispersed phase formed of the first particulate. The composite briquettes can be used as a secondary ore material.