Abstract: A ferrofluid sink/float separator for separating nonmagnetic materials of different densities comprises a horizontal separating tank and a magnetic field generating mechanism. The separating tank is filled with a ferrofluid capable of being induced by the magnetic field generating mechanism to have a magnetic field gradient and various apparent densities in the direction of earth gravity. The magnetic field generating mechanism comprises two magnetic poles spaced at an interval and a gap which is defined by the two magnetic poles and is located under the horizontal separating tank.

Abstract: A method for separating aluminum, cobalt, and nickel ions contained in a sulfuric acid aqueous solution comprising the steps of (a) contacting a first water-immiscible organic solution containing a first extractant with the sulfuric acid aqueous solution for a period of time to selectively extract the Co ions into the first water-immiscible organic solution so as to obtain a Co-containing first organic phase and a first raffinate aqueous phase containing substantially no Co ions; (b) separating the Co-containing first organic phase from the first raffinate aqueous; (c) contacting a second water-immiscible organic solution containing the first extractant and a second extractant with the first raffinate aqueous solution for a period of time to selectively extract Ni ions into the second water-immiscible organic solution so as to obtain a Ni-containing second organic phase and a second raffinate aqueous phase containing substantially only Al ions; (d) separating the Ni-containing second organic phase from the se

Abstract: A process which incorporates the recovery of silver from photographic film into the recovery of silver from photographic development waste solution is provided. In the process, a silver bearing emulsion layer coated on the surface of the photographic film is dissolved in the waste solution which is in turn subjected to an electrolysis treatment to recover metallic silver therefrom.

Abstract: A process for recovering silver oxide and metals from a spent silver oxide button cell. The process relates to a physical process which consists of a heating and a cooling process to separate the shell and the content (silver, silver oxide) of the spent silver oxide cell, so that silver oxide, silver and other metals such as zinc, iron and nickel can be recovered and reused.