Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a predetermined cesium compound. The method comprises treating a cesium-containing material with a suitable reagent to dissolve at least a portion of the cesium contained in the material and form a slurry; adding a base comprising slaked lime or calcium carbonate and an acid containing the anion of the predetermined cesium compound to the slurry comprising the dissolved cesium; and separating the predetermined cesium compound.

Abstract: A process for producing valve metal oxides, such as tantalum pentoxide or niobium pentoxide with a narrow particle size distribution within a desired particle size range, is provided. According to the process of the present invention, the valve metal fraction from digestion of valve metal material containing ore is processed under controlled temperature, pH, and residence time conditions to produce the valve metal pentoxide and pentoxide hydrates. Also, disclosed are new tantalum pentoxide and niobium pentoxide products and new tantalum pentoxide precursors and niobium pentoxide precursors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a predetermined cesium compound. The method comprises treating a cesium-containing material with a suitable reagent to dissolve at least a portion of the cesium contained in the material and form a slurry; adding a base comprising slaked lime or calcium carbonate and an acid containing the anion of the predetermined cesium compound to the slurry comprising the dissolved cesium; and separating the predetermined cesium compound.

Abstract: An illuminating bicycle reflector including a housing securable between spokes of a standard bicycle wheel. The housing is comprised of an arcuate outer portion, an arcuate inner portion, and a hollow interior disposed therebetween. The arcuate inner portion has a removable access panel coupled therewith. The access panel exposes a power source. A plurality of LED's are disposed within the hollow interior of the housing in a spaced relationship. The plurality of LED's are in communication with the power source to facilitate activation thereof. A flasher circuit is in communication with the plurality of LED's and the power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of extracting zinc from geothermal brines and synthetic brines which can be performed in a continuous, in-line process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of extracting zinc from geothermal brines and synthetic brines which can be performed in a continuous, in-line process and which provides for the advantageous recycling of NH.sub.3 in the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of extracting zinc from geothermal brines and synthetic brines which can be performed in a continuous, in-line process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing, from a lithium-containing brine, a low boron lithium carbonate compound. This compound is particularly useful for conversion to a highly pure lithium chloride for the production of lithium metal by electrolysis.

Abstract: An ice block press device (10). The press (10) includes a compression chamber (12) into which raw ice particles (20) are fed through an opening (82). A ram (16) is employed to urge ice particles (20) deposited through an input chute (18), through the opening (82) into the compression chamber (12). The ram (16) cyclically reciprocates to push the particles (20) into the chamber (12). As additional amounts of raw ice are urged into the chamber (12), a compacted volume of accumulated ice begins to extend through the opening (82) outside the chamber (12). When this occurs, the ram (16) is precluded from achieving its fully extended position. Upon sensing this condition, a knife (80) is driven to cut the block to a uniform length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing, from a lithium-containing brine, a substantially pure lithium chloride product. This product is particularly useful for the production of lithium metal by electrolysis.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a leak in a pond liner made of electrically insulating material supported by a medium which is electrically conductive consists of a movable nozzle for directing a stream of an electrically conductive liquid against the liner, a ground electrode connected to the electrically conductive supporting medium exterior of the pond and liner, a current source connected between the nozzle and the ground electrode, and a galvanometer located in the electrical circuit comprising the nozzle, current source and ground electrode for monitoring at least one electrical property in the circuit when a change in an electrical property occurs as a result of the stream of electrically conductive liquid completing the circuit by contacting the supporting medium through a hole in the liner.

Abstract: A novel flux for glass compositions which is an eutectic mixture of lithium carbonate and sodium sulfate (liquidus temperature 496.degree. C.) is used in fiberizable glass compositions to improve fluidity and reduce the temperature of fusion of the raw materials of which the glass is formed.

Abstract: Lithium chloride containing small amounts of inorganic and/or organic impurities is purified by heating the lithium chloride above about 200.degree. C., cooling the compound to ambient temperatures and extracting it with isopropanol, separating the liquid and solid phases, removing the isopropanol and recovering lithium chloride of high purity.

Abstract: Highly pure lithium chloride suitable for use in production of lithium metal by electrolysis is obtained directly from impure natural or other lithium chloride brines by an integrated process in which the brine is first concentrated by solar energy to a lithium chloride concentration of about 3%, after which the brine is treated with lime and calcium chloride to convert such impurities as boron, magnesium and sulfate to a calcium borate hydrate, magnesium hydroxide and calcium sulfate dihydrate, respectively, and separating the precipitated calcium sulfate dihydrate from the brine. The brine is then further concentrated to 40% or more lithium chloride by means of solar or other energy, during which concentration step the calcium borate hydrate, magnesium hydroxide and calcium sulfate dihydrate precipitate from the brine. The highly concentrated brine is subjected to evaporation at a temperature above 101.degree. C. to produce anhydrous lithium chloride which is further heated to a temperature of 200.degree.

Abstract: By evaporation employing solar energy, a brine having a lithium chloride concentration greater than that of a brine whose vapor pressure under ambient conditions is substantially equal to the partial pressure of moisture in the atmosphere above the brine is obtained. The process by which such result is accomplished involves the use of a pond system consisting of a series of shallow ponds of relatively large surface area to which a dilute lithium chloride brine is introduced. The flow of the brine through the pond system is controlled so that, at a point intermediate the points of introduction of the brine to and withdrawal of the brine from the pond system, the concentration of the brine is such that its vapor pressure under ambient conditions is substantially equal to the partial pressure of the moisture in the atmosphere immediately above the pond system.

Abstract: A continuous integrated process for the production of lithium hyroxide monohydrate and high purity lithium carbonate of large average particle size comprising converting impure lithium carbonate to lithium hydroxide by a causticization step, separating precipitated calcium carbonate from the resulting lithium hydroxide solution, precipitating lithium hydroxide monohydrate from a major portion of the lithium hydroxide solution and recovering same, introducing carbon dioxide or lithium carbonate to the remaining minor portion of the lithium hydroxide solution to precipitate additional calcium as calcium carbonate, separating the precipitated calcium carbonate from the lithium hydroxide solution, introducing carbon dioxide to the lithium hydroxide solution to precipitate high purity lithium carbonate of large average particle size, separating and recovering said lithium carbonate from the resulting lithium carbonate solution, and recycling said lithium carbonate solution to said causticization step.

Abstract: Lithium sulfide in the form of a finely divided, free-flowing powder of high purity is produced by reacting lithium carbonate powder in which the diameter of the particles is in the range of 1 to 10 microns with hydrogen sulfide at 500.degree. to 700.degree. C. Initial contact of the lithium carbonate with hydrogen sulfide takes place at a temperature substantially below the sintering temperature of lithium carbonate which is approximately 300.degree. to 400.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is described in which a brine from natural or other sources, containing lithium and other alkali and alkaline earth metals primarily as the halides, is preliminarily concentrated to a lithium content of about 2 to 7% to separate most of the alkali and alkaline earth metals other than lithium by precipitation, the pH of such a concentrated brine is then increased to about 10.5 to about 11.