Abstract: A method for aeroponically growing plants which involves an elongate vertically oriented plant chamber having a plurality of plant receiving apertures through its side wall. Plants are stationed in the apertures with their roots extending into the bore of the plant chamber and nutrient solution is sprayed downwardly into the chamber to wet the plant roots. During the spraying of the plant roots atmospheric air is inducted into and stale air exhausted from the chamber. In preferred alternatives of the method the motive energy for the air induction is provided by the spraying step, the nutrient solution is sprayed as a mist and the spraying is undertaken cyclically.

Abstract: Aeroponic plant growing apparatus which includes an elongate vertically oriented plant chamber having a plurality of plant receiving apertures through its side wall. Stationed at the top of the chamber are one or more spray nozzles through which nutrient solution is sprayed into the chamber, thereby wetting the roots of the plants stationed in the apertures. The apparatus includes structure by which fresh atmospheric air is inducted into the chamber and stagnant air is exhausted during the spraying of the plant roots. In a preferred alternative the motive energy for this air induction into the plant chamber is provided by the spray nozzle(s) and an air induction manifold cooperates with the spray nozzle(s) to establish a low pressure Venturi zone therebetween.

Abstract: Molten molybdenum-(copper)-iron-sulfur mattes or alloys, obtained for example, by reacting slags or other molybdenum containing oxide residues or waste materials with an iron and/or sulfide reductant, are enriched in molybdenum and copper (if present) by a pyrometallurgical process. The molten matte or alloy material is oxidized to remove sulfur, as sulfur oxides, while varying amounts of iron are converted to iron oxides which separate from the metallics. The oxidation thus enriches the molybdenum and copper content of the remaining alloy. Silica flux may be added during the reaction process to form a fluid slag with the iron oxide which separates from the remaining molybdenum-iron-(copper) material which constitutes the product.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a pyrometallurgical system for maintaining a material in a molten state, the system comprising a vessel for molten material, the vessel conceptually dividable into a number of substantially uniform cells. A mechanical stirrer is provided for each such cell and is centered within the cell. The stirrers are sized and driven at a rate so as to promote a uniform temperature and composition of the molten material and improved heat transfer between, and blending of, various constituents of molten material, while producing minimal erosion of the conventional refractory lining of the vessel. Preferably, adjacent pairs of stirrers are driven with opposite rotational senses, thereby assuring reinforcing flow patterns at the cell boundaries. Heating means (e.g., power electrodes) are provided at locations which do not substantially interfere with the flow patterns generated by the array of mechanical stirrers.

Abstract: Process for recovering nickel and nickel-copper from molten smelter-type slags or other highly oxidized sources of nickel and nickel-copper containing 7 to 30 percent by weight of magnetite (Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4). The magnetite in the slag is reduced with carbonaceous materials or other solid reductants such as sulfides, metals or carbides. While the slag is mixed with a fluid cooled, metal-bladed mechanical stirrer, the reductant is reacted with the slag. As a result of stirring the reductant into the slag, the rate of magnetite reduction is highly accelerated. With the reduction, the nickel or nickel-copper (as well as cobalt, if present) separates into a phase as either immiscible metal, a sulfide, or a nickel-copper-iron-sulfide matte, depending upon the initial composition of the slag.

Abstract: A process for the direct electrochemical recovery of copper values from dilute ammoniacal leach liquors.

Abstract: Recovery of copper and/or other metal values from pregnant, highly dilute liquors and conversion of the barren liquor to a suitable lixiviant; for recovery of copper or other metal values from leaching systems, such as acid treatment of mine waste dumps, vat or heap leaching and insitu mining as part of an overall copper recovery process.

Abstract: A process for recovering iron from preliminarily decopperized molten copper smelter slags having an initial composition which includes iron oxide, silica, and aluminum oxide as the major constituents. These constituents are initially present in the range of 40-70 percent FeO, 25-40 percent SiO.sub.2 and 5-10 percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The slag is maintained in a molten state and a solid reductant is mixed into the slag using an internally cooled, metal bladed, rotating stirrer, which rotates at a rate sufficient to pump the reductant into the slag to enhance the reduction of the iron oxide. An important aspect of this invention is to reduce slag to recover iron when the slag contains the following constituents, 40-60 percent SiO.sub.2, 15-35 percent CaO, less than 20 percent FeO and 5-10 percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. Although the above constituents can vary within the range set forth, it is important to maintain the SiO.sub.2 to CaO ratio in the range of about 2.0 - 3.3.