Abstract: Disclosed are self-standing calcined elements (e.g. bricks and tiles) comprising a cathode active material, and methods of preparation thereof. The process includes mixing a reagent with a metal precursor to form a precursor mixture, compressing the precursor mixture into a self-standing precursor element (e.g. brick and tile), and heating the self-standing precursor element (e.g. brick and tile) to form a self-standing calcined element (e.g. brick and tile) comprising a cathode active material.

Abstract: Processes for extracting lithium from a clay mineral and compositions thereof are described. The extraction process includes providing a clay mineral comprising lithium, mixing a cation source with the clay mineral, performing a high-energy mill of the clay mineral, and performing a liquid leach to obtain a lithium rich leach solution.

Abstract: A heat-recovering oven system based on temperature gradient comprises: multiple chambers arranged in a sequence, the chambers configured for operating at various temperatures according to a temperature gradient arrangement that spans the sequence; a conveyor configured for transporting product through the multiple chambers in the sequence for heat treatment according to the temperature gradient arrangement; and multiple temperature-segregated heat exchanger systems, each heat exchanger system including a heat exchanger, a conduit to at least one of the chambers based on its temperature in the temperature gradient arrangement, and a return conduit from the at least one chamber to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An exhaust stream treatment system includes a wet scrubber having an inlet for accepting waste exhaust containing dichloromethane, a water inlet for accepting water to be used to scrub the waste exhaust containing dichloromethane, a chamber in which the water is used to scrub the waste exhaust containing dichloromethane, an outlet for expelling dichloromethane-free exhaust, and a water outlet for expelling water and dichloromethane. The exhaust stream treatment system further includes a density separation vessel having an inlet for accepting the water and dichloromethane output by the wet scrubber, an outlet for expelling dichloromethane, and a water outlet for expelling waste water. The system may further include a waste water return loop from the waste water outlet of the density separation vessel to the water inlet of the wet scrubber. The system may further include a condenser that condenses the dichloromethane-free exhaust and a condensed water return loop.

Abstract: A heat-recovering oven system based on temperature gradient comprises: multiple chambers arranged in a sequence, the chambers configured for operating at various temperatures according to a temperature gradient arrangement that spans the sequence; a conveyor configured for transporting product through the multiple chambers in the sequence for heat treatment according to the temperature gradient arrangement; and multiple temperature-segregated heat exchanger systems, each heat exchanger system including a heat exchanger, a conduit to at least one of the chambers based on its temperature in the temperature gradient arrangement, and a return conduit from the at least one chamber to the heat exchanger.