Abstract: A method for producing cast items in a casting method, wherein a charge of a conductive material is introduced into the sphere of influence of at least one alternating electromagnetic field, so that the charge is kept in a levitating state. The melt is poured into moulds in order to produce turbine blades, prostheses or turbocharger impellers.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of lithium from lithium bearing mica rich minerals, the process comprising passing an ore containing one or more lithium bearing mica rich minerals to at least one pre-treatment step, passing the pre-treated ore to an acid leach step thereby producing a pregnant leach solution, subjecting the pregnant leach solution to a series of process steps in which one or more impurity metals are removed, and recovering lithium as a lithium containing salt product.

Abstract: A reactive composition comprising between 60% and 98% by weight of sodium bicarbonate, between 1% and 40% by weight of sodium carbonate and between 0.02% and 2.0% by weight of ammonia, expressed in the form of ammonium ions NH4+, and comprising from 0.01 to 5% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, and fatty acid salts.

Abstract: An apparatus for the extraction of phosphorus from wastewater that includes a precipitation module and a retention module. The precipitation module includes a crystallization vessel, one or more inlets disposed in a lower region of the precipitation module and at least one outlet disposed in an upper region of the precipitation module. The retention module includes a sedimentation vessel, at least one inlet disposed in an upper region of the retention module and at least one outlet disposed in a lower region of the retention module. At least one outlet of the precipitation module is connected to at least one inlet of the retention module and at least one outlet of the retention module is connected to at least one inlet of the precipitation module. The volume VS of the sedimentation vessel is greater than/equal to 0.6 times the volume VC of the crystallization vessel (VS?0.6·VC).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a garment having zippers for separating the garment into two halves. The garment has a zipper on the front and a zipper on the back. The halves can be mixed and matched according to preference for color, surface ornamentation, or material. Each half has an inside pocket that can be used for storing an additional garment half. The garment may optionally include a hood. In embodiments where the garment has a hood, the back zipper may unzip as the slider is moved in the downward direction, thereby allowing the user to separate the hood and fold the hood into a collar.

Abstract: A method for the processing of potassium containing materials comprises: (i) Separation of a potassium containing mineral from gangue minerals; (ii) Acid leaching whereby substantially all potassium, iron, aluminum and magnesium is solubilized and mixed potassium/iron double salt formed; (iii) Selectively crystallizing the mixed potassium/iron double salt formed in the leach step (ii); (iv) Second separation to separate the mixed potassium/iron double salt formed in step (iii); (v) Thermal decomposition to produce an iron oxide, a potassium salt and one or more phosphates; (vi) Leaching the product of the thermal decomposition; (vii) Third separation to separate the iron oxide and phosphate from the potassium salt; (viii) Recovering the potassium salt by crystallization; (ix) Separating the iron oxide and phosphate of step (vii) by leaching and subsequent solid liquid separation; and (x) Precipitating phosphate from liquor produced in step (ix) through the addition of a base.

Abstract: The object of the disclosure is to provide a method for efficiently producing fine particles with low crystal growth of the raw material components, in particular fine particles with a plurality of raw material components in a highly complexed state and having low crystal growth, without blockage of the nozzle. The method of the disclosure for producing particles includes injecting a good solvent solution that includes a good solvent and one or more raw material components dissolved in the good solvent, with a nozzle into a precipitating poor solvent that has been heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point of the good solvent, to evaporate the good solvent solution and precipitate a plurality of particles, and running a cleansing poor solvent through the nozzle before starting and after completing injection of the good solvent solution into the precipitating poor solvent.

Abstract: The object of the disclosure is to provide a method for efficiently producing fine particles with low crystal growth of the raw material components, in particular fine particles with a plurality of raw material components in a highly complexed state and having low crystal growth, without blockage of the nozzle. The method of the disclosure for producing particles includes injecting a good solvent solution that includes a good solvent and one or more raw material components dissolved in the good solvent, with a nozzle into a precipitating poor solvent that has been heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point of the good solvent, to evaporate the good solvent solution and precipitate a plurality of particles, and running a cleansing poor solvent through the nozzle before starting and after completing injection of the good solvent solution into the precipitating poor solvent.

Abstract: A production saltwater disposal facility comprising a separator configured to receive production saltwater from a pipeline or a vehicle and separate hydrocarbons from the production saltwater, wherein the production saltwater received from the pipeline or vehicle is substantially the same composition as when the production saltwater was located in a subterranean formation, a hydrocarbon storage tank configured to receive hydrocarbons from the separator, a settling pit configured to receive the production saltwater from the separator and separate metals and/or other solids from the saltwater, an evaporator in fluid communication with the settling pit and comprising a nozzle configured to emit a stream of the saltwater along a path in air such that water in the saltwater evaporates, and a collection pit positioned under the path and configured to collect the salt from the saltwater after the water has evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for producing sodium chloride comprising the steps of (i) preparing a brine comprising at least 150 g/l of sodium chloride by dissolving a sodium chloride source in water, (ii) subjecting the resulting brine to a eutectic freeze crystallization step by indirect cooling of said brine, resulting in the formation of ice, sodium chloride dihydrate, and a mother liquor, (iii) separating the sodium chloride dihydrate formed in step (ii) from the ice and optionally mother liquor at the eutectic temperature, such that a sodium chloride dihydrate-rich stream is formed, and (iv) feeding said sodium chloride dihydrate-rich stream to a recrystallizer to form sodium chloride and a mother liquor.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for affecting, controlling and/or directing various crystal formation, structure formation or phase formation/phase change reaction pathways or systems by exposing one or more components in a holoreaction system to at least one spectral energy pattern. In a first aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy pattern can be applied to a crystallization reaction system. In a second aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy conditioning pattern can be applied to a conditioning reaction system. The spectral energy conditioning pattern can, for example, be applied at a separate location from the reaction vessel (e.g., in a conditioning reaction vessel) or can be applied in (or to) the reaction vessel, but prior to other (or all) crystallization reaction system participants being introduced into the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Process for the phase transformation of substances and mixtures of substances, in which the substance or the mixture of substances is introduced into a plasma reactor, the substance or the mixture of substances is converted into the higher-energy phase and the product is removed in gaseous form from the plasma reactor. The process can be used for the sublimation of metal salts, metal nitrates and/or metal alkoxides and other vaporizable metal-organic compounds.

Abstract: A novel method for high quality crystal growth of intermetallic clathrates is presented. The synthesis of high quality pure phase crystals has been complicated by the simultaneous formation of both clathrate type-I and clathrate type-II structures. It was found that selective, phase pure, single-crystal growth of type-I and type-II clathrates can be achieved by maintaining sufficient partial pressure of a chemical constituent during slow, controlled deprivation of the chemical constituent from the primary reactant. The chemical constituent is slowly removed from the primary reactant by the reaction of the chemical constituent vapor with a secondary reactant, spatially separated from the primary reactant, in a closed volume under uniaxial pressure and heat to form the single phase pure crystals.

Abstract: A unique method of convective dissolution of salts from in situ ponds by trenching salt beds, introducing dissolution waters to promote convective dissolution, pumping out the saturated solution from the pond bottom, and introducing additional dissolution waters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying an ionic liquid, which comprises the steps (a) partial crystallization of the ionic liquid from its melt and (b) separation of the crystals from the residual melt.

Abstract: A method of vaporizing a solid organometallic compound in which the method comprises filling the solid organometallic compound into a container, introducing a carrier gas to the container and taking out the gas containing the organometallic compound, wherein the solid organometallic compound is in the form of pellets and contains an inert support.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to encapsulation of crystallization solutions in pierceable reservoirs in order to prevent evaporation of the crystallization solutions, thereby allowing safe transport/shipping, from a workstation to another workstation, and safe storage of pre-filled microplates used to carry large number of vapor-diffusion crystallization experiments.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for affecting, and/or directing various crystal formation, structure formation or phase formation/phase change reaction pathways or systems by exposing one or more components in a holoreaction system to at least one spectral energy pattern. In a first aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy pattern can be applied to a crystallization reaction system. In a second aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy conditioning pattern can be applied to a conditioning reaction system. The spectral energy conditioning pattern can, for example, be applied at a separate location from the reaction vessel (e.g., in a conditioning reaction vessel) or can be applied in (or to) the reaction vessel, but prior to other (or all) crystallization reaction system participants being introduced into the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a suspension containing phosphate stepwise directly from raw materials, from phosphoric acid of fertilizer quality, a base and organic additives. In accordance with the method, the phosphoric acid is preneutralised with the base, the organic additives are added, nucleation is controlled and phosphate salts are cooling crystallised in order to form a suspension. The phosphate suspension prepared with the method of the invention is applicable to seed coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crystallization process and apparatuses for such processes. In a first aspect, the process of the invention comprises a step wherein a liquid comprising a solvent and material dissolved therein, is subjected to crystallization conditions in the presence of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least one curvature. In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a crystallization process, which comprises a step wherein a liquid comprising a solvent, material dissolved therein and heterogeneous particles is subjected to crystallization conditions in the presence of Dean vortices, which Dean vortices result from said liquid flowing through a channel having at least one curvature, wherein said material crystallizes on solid surfaces, in particular on surfaces of the heterogeneous particles present in the feed.

Abstract: Applying a strong static DC electric field to supersaturated aqueous glycine solutions resulted in the nucleation of the ? polymorph attributed to the electric-field induced orientation of the highly polar glycine molecules in large preexisting solute clusters, helping them organize into a crystalline structure. A method to induce crystallization and to prepare polymorphs and/or morphologies of materials by using a static electric field to cause nucleation and crystal growth to occur in a supersaturated solution in such a way as to obtain a crystal structure that would not normally appear without the use of the static electric field. Aqueous glycine solutions were prepared by combining solid glycine and water. Supersaturated solutions were generated by heating the tubes to 62-64° C. and holding them at that temperature in an ultrasonicator overnight. Once the glycine was completely dissolved, the solutions were slowly cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for simultaneously separating two highly pure fullerenes from a mixture of fullerenes via crystallization, by (i) adjusting the amount of solvent in the mixture fed to a first crystallizer to obtain a phase equilibrium behavior so a first fullerene component of the two fullerenes, in the form of pure crystal, solid solution crystal, or solvate crystal is obtained; (ii) adjusting the amount of solvent in another mixture fed to a second crystallizer, operating at a temperature different from the first crystallizer, to obtain a phase equilibrium behavior so a second fullerene component of the two fullerenes, in the form of pure crystal, solid solution crystal, or solvate crystal is obtained; and additionally (iii) purifying the solid solution or the solvate into highly pure fullerene, when the solid product from the crystallizers is in the form of solid solution or solvate.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation, concentration and recovery an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product from aqueous process streams including contacting mother liquor generated in the precipitation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product crystals with a selective membrane to produce a retentate enriched N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product and a permeate depleted in N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing amorphous polymers whose Tg lies below the crystallite melting point. According to this process, amorphous or partially crystalline polymer grains are exposed in water for a period of at least 30 seconds to a temperature in the polymer crystallization range.

Abstract: Production of a phosphate mixture for brines used in the food industry, which comprises a) 60 to 85 weight % of a clear soluble potassiumtripolyphosphate (KTPP) with a P2O5 content of 46.0 weight % to 47.0 weight % and a K2O/P2O5 mole ratio of 1.7 to 1.78, b) 15 to 39 weight % sodiumpolyphosphate, c) 1 to 5 weigth % MxH3-xPO4, with M=Na, K and x=1,2,3 and/or MxH4-xP2O7, in which M=Na and x=2,3,4 and when M=K then x=4; wherein the phosphate mixture has a pH value of 8 to 10 and exhibits a turbidity in water and brines of <5 TE/F.

Abstract: A process for purifying removal of crystals from their suspension in mother liquor by means of a washing column having forced transport in which the process chamber is encased by a metal wall which, on its side facing away from the process chamber, is heated at least along the length of the pure melt zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the purification of a molten metal containing one or more foreign elements. The molten metal is cooled to a eutectic temperature to simultaneously form purified metal crystals and crystals containing at least one foreign element, and at least some of the crystals containing at least one foreign element are separated from the purified metal crystals by using a solid-solid separation technique.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming particles of a target substance, comprising (a) co-introducing into a particle formation vessel, under controlled temperature and pressure, a supercritical or near-critical anti-solvent fluid; a first target substance in a first vehicle; and a second target substance in a second vehicle; and (b) using the anti-solvent to disperse the target substances in their respective vehicles and to extract the vehicles, substantially simultaneously and substantially immediately on introduction of the fluids into the particle formation vessel. The second vehicle is immiscible with the first, and contact between the first and second vehicles occurs a sufficiently short period of time before their dispersion by the anti-solvent, and with sufficient physical mixing, as to allow only insignificant, if any, phase separation to occur between the two vehicles between their contact with one another and their dispersion.

Abstract: Methods for separation of two optical isomers in a racemate into its constituent isomers by statistical means are described, whereby the saturated racemate solution is first allotted into small samples by means of microfluidic or inkjet techniques to obtain small sample quantities (picoliters to microliters) with one isomer in measurable excess of the other. The samples are then tested by means of spectrophotometers used for measuring Cotton Effects or Circular Dichroism or other related effects which measure the difference in the absorption of right and left circularly polarized light, so that there is a predetermined minimum excess of one enantiomer. Collecting them in three different receptacles then separates the three types of samples. The right and left excess samples are then used in the crystallization process to obtain right or left handed isomers respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming particles of a target substance, comprising (a) co-introducing into a particle formation vessel, under controlled temperature and pressure, a supercritical or near-critical anti-solvent fluid; a “target solution or suspension” of the target in a first vehicle; and a second vehicle which is soluble in the anti-solvent fluid; and (b) using the anti-solvent to disperse the target solution/suspension and the second vehicle, and to extract the vehicles, substantially simultaneously and substantially immediately on introduction of the fluids into the particle formation vessel, wherein the second vehicle is immiscible with the first, and wherein contact between the target solution/suspension and the second vehicle occurs a sufficiently short period of time before their dispersion by the anti-solvent, and with sufficient physical mixing, as to allow only insignificant, if any, phase separation to occur between the two vehicles between their contact with one another and thei

Abstract: A method for purifying substances through emulsion crystallisation is described, whereby (a) an emulsion of organic liquid droplets in a continuous water phase containing the impure substance is formed; (b) the emulsion is super-saturated in the substance; (c) crystallisation of the substance in the water phase is induced; (d) the crystals of the substance are isolated from the from emulsion, yielding an emulsion-filtrate; (e) additional impure substance is dissolved in the emulsion-filtrate; and (f) steps (b)-(d) are repeated with the emulsion obtained from step (e).

Abstract: A process for recovering sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals from solutions and mother liquors supersaturated in sodium bicarbonate concentration. Feed liquors containing higher levels of sodium bicarbonate than traditionally fed to a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer are used to create a mother liquor within a sodium carbonate decahydrate crystallizer that is supersaturated with respect to sodium bicarbonate. Substantially pure sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals may be precipitated from the supersaturated mother liquor without substantially precipitation of sodium bicarbonate containing crystals.

Abstract: A method for cooling is provided which makes use of materials which undergo a pressure induced structural phase transition such that the material's crystal field interaction changes, and which colds down during this phase transition. This effect is used for cooling objects which are thermally coupled to the material.

Abstract: A crystallization process is described for separating a desired substance from an aggregate mixture in which an emulsion of droplets in a continuous phase containing the aggregate mixture is formed and supersaturated, characterized in that the emulsion is seeded with seed crystals of the desired substance and seed crystals of at least one other substance in the aggregate mixture to effect crystallization of the desired substance and the other substance(s) in the continuous phase. Also described are substances separated by the process, and devices for carrying out the process.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method of crystallization with the particle size distribution being controlled, characterized in that while crystals are being precipitated by vacuum concentration crystallization, the temperature of the slurry is periodically varied up and down during the concentration of the crystallization mother liquor (i.e., the slurry), which method is an excellent one free from the defects of the conventional methods.

Abstract: A process for preparing a powdery alkyl sulfate, comprising drying aqueous slurry having a solid content of 60 to 85% by weight and containing an alkyl sulfate and an alkali metal carbonate in a ratio of 0.05 to 10 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate based on 100 parts by weight of the alkyl sulfate. This process is capable of stably preparing a powdery alkyl sulfate without deteriorating the quality of aqueous slurry of an alkyl sulfate and powder obtainable from the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants, such as sulfur dioxide, mercury and hydrochloric acid, out of flue gases is provided, said method including the steps of: treating the flue gases with a reagent, such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and ammonium salts or mixtures thereof; selectively dissolving the sodium phosphates produced thereby in water; separating out the solids remaining in suspension in the solution; and crystallizing the purified sodium sulphate present in the above-mentioned solution. The sodium sulfate can be upgraded in glass working furnaces. The reagent can be obtained by heating an intermediate solution containing sodium bicarbonate; sodium carbonate; ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate, which was obtained from the Solvay process for manufacturing sodium carbonate.

Abstract: An activator (10) made in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes activating crystals (11) that have been formed into a shape and then coated with coating (12). The activator (10) of the present invention can be used in any environment in which the solidification of a supercooled solution occurs and whereby heat is generated during the solidification process. In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the activator is placed inside a hot pack (15) containing a supercooled solution (16). The hot pack can be made of a container made of a thermoplastic film which is formed into a bag, filled with activator (10) and the supercooled solution (16), and sealed to form the hot pack. The coating (12) of the activator (10) is impervious to the supercooled solution (16) in the hot pack (15) and into which the activator will be placed. The supercooled solution (16) may be any of a variety of chemical compositions known in the art which give off heat as they solidify.

Abstract: In a process for separating substances from a liquid mixture by crystallization in a crystallizer, a two-phase seed layer in the form of a melt or solution of the mixture to be separated, with crystals suspended therein, is applied, prior to the crystallization, to those surfaces of the crystallizer from which crystals grow during the crystallization.

Abstract: Process for determining the sylvine saturation in which the salt concentration in the solid matter-free crude solution through temperature determination at a temperature T.sub.M >T, and subsequently after contacting with KCl at a temperature T.sub.NS >T and heating to T.sub.M, is measured again, and from this data a saturation temperature T.sub.S is obtained. The temperature difference T.sub.S -T serves as a measure for the sylvine saturation degree. In this manner, the sylvine saturation degree can automatically be measured in intervals of seconds and can serve as a control value for the addition of crude salt in a hot solution process.

Abstract: An improved salt basket for dewatering solids, particularly salts resulting from evaporation of industrial wastewaters. The salt basket system includes a pressurizable vessel having a screen floor situated above a bottom liquid collection head, an inlet for the brine/solids slurry from which solids are to be separated and dried, an inlet for air, an inlet for steam (the latter two inlets may be combined, where convenient), an inlet for solids free feed, and a drain outlet (these two may be combined where convenient into a combination feed/drain connection). Preferably, an automated system for introducing feed brine and for removing the solids product is provided. For safety, a pivotally attached lower door has a hydraulic failsafe closure mechanism and locking safety latches to prevent the door from inadvertently opening.

Abstract: A multistage process for the separation and purification of a desired crystalline material by repeated dissolution and recrystallization, wherein crystals and solvent move countercurrent to one another through the stages. A fluid temperature gradient is maintained within each recrystallization unit to make use of convection to facilitate or accelerate concurrent dissolution and recrystallization within a single vessel. Solid recrystallized material is moved from one unit to the next unit. An automated apparatus and a manually operated apparatus for carrying out the process are also described.

Abstract: This invention is a crystallization process for p-xylene recovery. A single temperature crystallization production stage is used for producing p-xylene from a feed having an above equilibrium p-xylene concentration, such as from a toluene disproportionation process. Scavenger stages are also used to raise the p-xylene recovery rate.

Abstract: In the process for separating and purifying substances by crystallization from the melt under pressure, the melt is subjected to pressure under an inert gas atmosphere and then cooled, whereupon it crystallizes. The residual melt is separated from the resulting crystals, after which the crystals are degassed by reducing the pressure and are caused to sweat, and the sweat oil is separated off.

Abstract: Process for separating and purifying substances by crystallization from the melt under high pressuresIn the process for separating or purifying substances by crystallization from melts or highly concentrated solutions under high pressures, gas is dissolved in the melt to be crystallized and is expelled again after the crystallization with reduction in the pressure. Still adhering or occluded impurities are thus removed.

Abstract: Optically-active, amphiphilic, free-radical addition copolymers having an optically-active hydrophobic portion and an ionic hydrophilic portion are effective resolving agents. This utility is based on a unique combination of properties, viz., water solubility, chirality and amphiphilicity, i.e., having a dual hydrophobic and hydrophilic nature.

Abstract: In a process for recovering an alkali metal azide from a waste gas generating material containing the alkali metal azide and a metal oxide reactable with the azide, the gas generating material is mixed with a solvent for the alkali metal azide. This produces a slurry comprising (i) a solution comprising the solvent and the alkali metal azide, and (ii) the metal oxide. The slurry is separated into a liquid stream comprising primarily the solution and a sludge stream comprising primarily the metal oxide. The liquid stream is filtered in a filter to produce a filtrate which is substantially free of metal oxide and is then concentrated by evaporation of the solvent to produce crystals of the alkali metal azide. The separation may be carried out by a filter or centrifuge to produce a filter or centrifuge cake. The sludge obtained from the slurry is reslurried to recover additional azide, and the resulting slurry is again separated into a sludge and a liquid stream by a filter or centrifuge.

Abstract: A process is described for separating the optical isomers of 1,2-isopropylideneglycerol, of formula (I), comprising partially stereoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of 1,2-isopropylideneglycerol benzoyl ester (II) catalyzed by a free or immobilized lipase, the hydrolysis being conducted in the presence of a cosolvent and followed by crystallization enabling crystals of (II) in raceme form and mother liquor containing (II) in the form of the pure enantiomer to be selectively obtained.The compound (I) is widely used industrially as an intermediate in the synthesis of chiral drugs such as (R)-(-)-carnitine, (S)-beta-blockers, (S)-antiviral agents, analgesic drugs etc.

Abstract: A multistage process for the separation and purification of a desired crystalline material by repeated dissolution and recrystallization, wherein crystals and solvent move countercurrent to one another through the stages. A fluid temperature gradient is maintained within each recrystallization unit to make use of convection to facilitate or accelerate concurrent dissolution and recrystallization within a single vessel. Solid recrystallized material is moved from one unit to the next unit. An automated apparatus and a manually operated apparatus for carrying out the process are also described.

Abstract: A process is provided for the separation of substances by melt crystallization. The organic mixtures which are difficult to crystallize are heated to a temperature sufficient to obtain a melt with the melt then being moved through a three-dimensional crystallization matrix having a large specific area. The melt is slowly cooled over a temperature range so as to achieve a selective crystallization from the supersaturated melt in the carrier matrix. A deposited crystal phase is thereafter melted and separated from the carrier matrix and removed by centrifugation. The carrier matrix may have a crystallization-promoting microstructure surface and may consist of an openpored foam.