Abstract: A system and method of extracting elements from an aqueous stream are described herein. The method includes designing a process to extract at least two elements from the aqueous product stream. The at least two elements have different commercial values. The process is optimized to minimize a cost of extracting the at least two elements and to maximize a value of extracting the at least two elements. The method further includes extracting the at least two elements according to the process.

Abstract: An anchor unit is described for releasably securing bases used in baseball, softball and the like at their appropriate position on a playing field. This unit is normally for permanent installation and yet permits periodic conditioning, e.g., dragging, of the surface of the field. The anchor is useful with any standard base, and that portion which engages the base retracts below the ground level when not in use. The anchor unit is comprised of an elongated hollow tubular body member having one of its ends closed by a cap. The cap is provided with a central aperture which receives a rod which extends into the body member and longitudinally along the longitudinal axis thereof, one end of the rod being in the interior of the body member while the other end of the rod extends outwardly of the body member adjacent the cap and forms a base strap engaging loop. A spacer disk is attached to the end of the rod interiorly of the body member.