Abstract: Various embodiments include processes for purifying and/or preparing iron-bearing materials. Various embodiments include purification and/or preparation of iron ores, iron, and their intermediates. Various embodiments include processes for purifying iron-bearing materials comprising leaching one or more soluble species of impurities out of iron-bearing materials using a leaching solution comprising fluorine.

Abstract: Iron electrode materials, iron electrodes, and methods for fabricating said iron electrode materials and iron electrodes via elevated temperature thermomechanical processing of porous particulate iron materials are described. For example, as part of iron electrode manufacture, a particulate iron material into an apparatus may be provided. In addition, pressure and/or heat may be applied to the particulate iron material in the apparatus for a time period to form an electrode having therein conductive connections between particles of the particulate iron material.

Abstract: A method for producing a high purity high carbon molten chrome product from chrome and carbon bearing material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) continuously introducing chrome compacts directly into an electric melter; (b) heating and melting the chrome compacts in the electric melter at a temperature of between about 1300° C. to about 1700° C. to form high carbon molten chrome; (c) preventing oxidation of the high carbon molten chrome via minimization of the ingress of oxygen containing gas in said heating step; (d) carburizing the high carbon molten chrome to form high carbon molten metallized chrome; (e) purifying the high carbon molten metallized chrome by reducing silicon oxides to silicon and desulfurizing the high carbon molten metallized chrome to produce the high purity high carbon molten chrome product; and (f) discharging the high purity high carbon molten chrome product from the electric melter.

Abstract: A method for producing a high purity high carbon molten chrome product from chrome and carbon bearing material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) continuously introducing chrome compacts directly into an electric melter; (b) heating and melting the chrome compacts in the electric melter at a temperature of between about 1300° C. to about 1700° C. to form high carbon molten chrome; (c) preventing oxidation of the high carbon molten chrome via minimization of the ingress of oxygen containing gas in said heating step; (d) carburizing the high carbon molten chrome to form high carbon molten metallized chrome; (e) purifying the high carbon molten metallized chrome by reducing silicon oxides to silicon and desulfurizing the high carbon molten metallized chrome to produce the high purity high carbon molten chrome product; and (f) discharging the high purity high carbon molten chrome product from the electric melter.