Abstract: A fluidized bed electrowinning system and method includes a fluidized bed reaction vessel in which a fluidized bed of conductive particles serves as the cathode for the electrowinning reaction, the anodes being in the form of hollow tubes of electrochemically active material inserted into the fluidized bed and separated therefrom by a membrane. The catholyte and anolyte are separately supplied from an electrolyte supply tank, the catholyte being pumped through the conductive particles to form the fluidized bed and the anolyte being supplied to individual anodes, and are commingled at the top of the reaction vessel before return to the supply tank. Removal of particles from the tank occurs through a part in the side of the tank, the removed particles normally being recycled through a selector valve back into the tank to maintain continuous operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the electroless plating of easily reducible metals onto ultrafine, usually inert, particles. Such plating is achieved through careful and accurate control of such parameters as the feed rates of the various solutions, the control of pH of the solution, the temperature, pressure and the rate of agitation of the solution in which the plating is taking place. The plated ultrafine composite particles and the powders made from the particles produced by the process are also a part of the invention. There is also provided a metal article of manufacture consisting of a metla such as copper, silver, gold, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium and platinum with a plurality of shperical shaped ultrafine particles with a diameter of less than about 10 microns dispersed substantially evenly through the metal article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing heavy metals as sulfides from aqueous liquids. The aqueous liquid is introduced into a circulating liquid loop wherein there are established a mixing zone, a controlled precipitation initiating zone, a crystal growing zone and a crystal settling zone. The aqueous feed liquid containing H S dissolved therein and at a pH below that at which the sulfide is precipitated is mixed in the loop with a pH-adjusting liquid; and the degree of supersaturation with respect to the metal sulfide is maintained within the controlled precipitation initiating and crystal growing zones in the metastable condition so that the growth rate of the metal sulfide crystals remains greater than under uncontrolled conditions vis-a-vis the nucleation rate to effect the production of metal sulfide crystals of a character which makes it possible to separate them through clarification and filtration.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing heavy metals as sulfides from aqueous liquids. The aqueous liquid is introduced into a circulating liquid loop wherein there are established a mixing zone, a controlled precipitation initiating zone, a crystal growing zone and a crystal settling zone. The aqueous feed liquid containing H.sub.2 S dissolved therein and at a pH below that at which the sulfide is precipitated is mixed in the loop with a pH-adjusting liquid; and the degree of supersaturation with respect to the metal sulfide is maintained within the controlled precipitation initiating and crystal growing zones in the metastable condition so that the growth rate of the metal sulfide crystals remains greater than under uncontrolled conditions vis-a-vis the nucleation rate to effect the production of metal sulfide crystals of a character which makes it possible to separate them through clarification and filtration.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering a precious metal, either as pure metal or in alloyed form, from a bimetallic material in which the precious metal is mechanically bonded to a base material comprising at least one base metal, e.g., copper, brass or bronze. The base material is leached off with an ammoniacal solution of an ammonium salt, preferably ammonium carbonate, using a leaching liquid containing reactive oxygen. The base metal or metals are recovered as metal compounds by thermally decomposing the resulting pregnant leach liquor; and the ammonia and ammonium salt are reconstituted for recycling. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for recovering karat gold from filled gold scrap.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for removing sulfur dioxide from gases such as stack gases. The gases are scrubbed with an alkali metal compound in an aqueous solution to form alkali metal sulfite/sulfate salts which are then reacted with barium sulfide to precipitate barium sulfite/sulfate and form alkali metal sulfide/bisulfide in solution. The alkali metal sulfide/bisulfide is oxidized to form elemental sulfur and regenerated wash liquid; and the barium sulfite/sulfate is reduced by roasting to form the barium sulfide required. In a preferable embodiment, coal is used as both the reductant and fuel in the roasting of the barium sulfite/sulfate and the stack gases from the roasting are scrubbed along with the primary stack gases. As an optional step a portion of the alkali metal sulfite salts may be oxidized to sulfate prior to reaction with barium sulfide.

Abstract: Apparatus for the disposal of solid wastes by converting the organic fraction of such wastes to a fuel or fuel supplement and by recovering one or more of the constituents of the inorganic fashion. A minimum amount of sterile land fill remains. No significant pollution problems are created. The apparatus comprises shredding means, primary separating means, magnetic separating means, fines separating means, acid applying means, drying/heating means, grinding means and means to separate the fine product fuel. The system can, if desired, be essentially self-contained in heat energy requirements.

Abstract: Process for producing fluid fuel from coal. Moisture-free coal in particulate form is slurried with a hydrogen-donor solvent and the heated slurry is charged into a drum wherein the pressure is so regulated as to maintain a portion of the solvent in liquid form. During extraction of the hydrocarbons from the coal, additional solvent is added to agitate the drum mass and keep it up to temperature. Subsequently, the pressure is released to vaporize the solvent and at least a portion of the hydrocarbons extracted. The temperature of the mass in the drum is then raised under conditions required to crack the hydrocarbons in the drum and to produce, after subsequent stripping, a solid coke residue. The hydrocarbon products are removed and fractionated into several cuts, one of which is hydrotreated to form the required hydrogen-donor solvent while other fractions can be hydrotreated or hydrocracked to produce a synthetic crude product.