Abstract: A brine maker including a hopper having upper and lower ends with a receiving tank positioned below the hopper. The forward end of the receiving tank has an opening formed therein. An elbow fitting is positioned in the opening in the forward end of the receiving tank and is welded to the forward end of the receiving tank. The elbow fitting includes a vertically disposed hollow upper portion which is positioned in the receiving tank and a horizontally disposed hollow lower portion which is positioned in the opening in the forward end of the receiving tank. The horizontally disposed hollow lower portion of the elbow fitting is fluidly connected to a pump. A shield is secured to the inner side of the forward end of the receiving tank above the upper end of the vertically disposed hollow upper portion of the elbow fitting.

Abstract: Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.

Abstract: A rotating knife is disclosed for disintegrating a crystal bed formed in a washing column for processing suspension of solid particles in a liquid. The rotating knife is provided with a spoke support. The spoke support comprises at least two spokes. The relative angle of the spokes is between approximately 20° and approximately 80°.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method and a device for continuously producing a crystallite, wherein a metered amount of seed crystals is fed continuously to the internal solution circuit of a crystallizer, in particular a DTB crystallizer, through a crystallization seed line from a seed generator preferably designed as a flash crystallizer. The amount of seed crystals fed is controlled by an electronic control system as a function of a measured value determined by a sensor, said value being representative of the particle size distribution of the crystallites in the solution in the internal circuit in the crystallizer. By way of a line, the seed generator receives a partial stream of the external solution circuit of the crystallizer, said external circuit being routed through a line. Excess fine crystalline suspension can be fed back to the external circuit from the seed generator by way of a return line.

Abstract: A method of processing residual molasses from a procedure for the production of lactose from whey permeate. From this molasses, a mineral diminished component is extracted, concentrated, crystallized and therefrom a crystallized phase is separated.

Abstract: This invention intends to enable silicon compound to be removed from waste etching solution at a high removal rate and waste etching solution to be recycled without disposing it. The etching solution reproducing apparatus includes: temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of taken out waste etching solution; atomizing means for atomizing waste etching solution adjusted in temperature by the temperature adjusting means; precipitating means for collecting waste etching solution atomized by the atomizing means and precipitating silicon compound in the waste etching solution; and separating means for separating silicon compound precipitated from the waste etching solution by the precipitating means so as to obtain reproduced etching solution.

Abstract: A rotating knife is disclosed for disintegrating a crystal bed formed in a washing column for processing suspension of solid particles in a liquid. The rotating knife is provided with a spoke support. The spoke support comprises at least two spokes. The relative angle of the spokes is between approximately 20° and approximately 80°.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method and a device for continuously producing a crystallite, wherein a metered amount of seed crystals is fed continuously to the internal solution circuit of a crystallizer, in particular a DTB crystallizer, through a crystallization seed line from a seed generator preferably designed as a flash crystallizer. The amount of seed crystals fed is controlled by an electronic control system as a function of a measured value determined by a sensor, said value being representative of the particle size distribution of the crystallites in the solution in the internal circuit in the crystallizer. By way of a line, the seed generator receives a partial stream of the external solution circuit of the crystallizer, said external circuit being routed through a line. Excess fine crystalline suspension can be fed back to the external circuit from the seed generator by way of a return line.

Abstract: A process for the production of alumina trihydrate by alkaline digestion of bauxite using the Bayer process in which aluminate liquor and insoluble residues are separated using a solid/liquid separation device (E; W2; DC) characterised in that the said slurry (21a; 41; 230?) is at least partially passed through a hydrocyclone (H1; H21; H22; H3) to improve and accelerate the separation of the sodium aluminate liquor from the insoluble residues in the slurry (21a; 41; 230?) containing the said liquor and the said residues and that supplies or is derived from the said liquid-solid separation device. In a first embodiment, at least one hydrocyclone is used at the upstream side of the settler-thickener, as clarifier of the pregnant liquor. In a second embodiment, at least one hydrocyclone is used as a thickener of insoluble residue mud. In a third embodiment, a hydrocyclone is used in combination with the causticisation settler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing nanocrystals. The method comprises providing a mixture comprising nanocrystals, contaminants and a first solvent in which the nanocrystals are soluble, and using chromatography to reduce the amount of contaminants in the mixture. The method optionally comprises isolating the nanocrystals after chromatography. The method allows for the production of nanocrystal compositions having a total amount of surfactant associated therewith, the amount of surfactant comprising an amount of bound surfactant and an amount of free surfactant in the solvent, the amount of free surfactant being less than about 1% of the total amount of surfactant in the solvent. The present invention, accordingly, also relates to such compositions and corresponding composites of nanocrystals in organic polymer matrices.

Abstract: A process for preparing particles of a substance comprising contacting a first formulation including a first substance with a first solvent stream and a second solvent stream, thereby causing formation of particles of the first substance, wherein both the first and second solvent streams are in a non-supercritical state, and subjecting the resultant mixture to a separation process which causes separation of the first substance from the first and second solvent streams.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the purification of an ?-hydroxy acid on an industrial scale, in which the method involves: (a) subjecting an aqueous stream containing mainly ?-hydroxy (1) to an extraction step, with the formation of an aqueous place containing mainly ?-hydroxy acid (2), (b) concentrating the aqueous phase containing mainly ?-hydroxy acid (2) by means of evaporation of water under reduced pressure, with the formation of a concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution in water (3), and (c) subjecting the concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution (3) to a crystallization, with formation of pure ?-hydroxy acid (4), where (i) the concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution (3) is directly cooled in a melting crystallization device, and/or (ii) the concentrated ?-hydroxy acid solution (3) is diluted with water and crystallization is brought about in one or more cooling crystallization devices and/or evaporative crystallization devices, and/or (iii) crystallization is brought about in one or more adiabati

Abstract: In a process for the continuous recovery of free tartaric acid from raw materials containing potassium hydrogentartrate, the same are mixed with water and the potassium hydrogentartrate is dissolved. The process is improved in that the suspension is decanted, the clarified liquid is refiltered, the filtrate is cooled to crystallization temperature under a vacuum, the potassium hydrogentartrate crystals formed are dissolved, the solution is subjected to a cation exchange, and the tartaric acid solution obtained is evaporated.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying lactams, in particular the lactams obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of an aminoalkylnitrile, and more particularly to the purification by crystallization of ?-caprolactam obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminocapronitrile. This crystallization is carried out on the cyclization reaction medium after hydrogenation, removal of volatile compounds, and treatment with an ion-exchange resin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently obtaining BHET of high purity from an EG (ethylene glycol) solution containing crude BHET (bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate), especially a decomposition product solution obtained by decomposing a polyester containing PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as a main component, by use of EG, while minimizing by-production of impurity components such as DEG (diethylene glycol), DEG ester and oligomers. The decomposition product solution is subjected to crystallization and solid-liquid separation under specific temperature conditions. Further, in accordance with the invention, a method of purifying BHET is taught which comprises evaporation steps of evaporating low-boiling-point components from the decomposition product solution under specific conditions so as to obtain a melt solution and a molecular distillation step of distilling the obtained melt solution under specific conditions so as to obtain a specific fraction.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of diterpenes such as Forskolin, its congeners, analogs and derivatives, up to approximately 6% concentration, are prepared using suitably substituted cyclodextrin as a solubilizing agents. In the absence of cyclodextrin, some diterpenes such as Forskolin are soluble in water only to concentrations of about 0.001%. Such aqueous solutions find applications in topical and systemic use, as pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical preparations containing diterpenes such as Forskolin and congeners.

Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling expensive and hazardous components from capacitors containing an electrolyte salt dissolved in an aprotic organic solvent. The method includes disintegrating a plurality of capacitor casings and their contents into fragments and forming an aqueous slurry of water insoluble fragments, filtering fractionally distilling the filtrate to remove the solvent as a distillate and recovering the electrolyte salt.

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 the concentration of aqueous hydrogen peroxide by discontinuous crystallization. A cooling surface is arranged in a crystallizing vessel and first wetted with hydrogen peroxide and then cooled at a high cooling rate, whereupon seed crystals form. The cooling rate is at least 1 K/s, preferably from 10 to 30 K/s. When the vessel has been filled with H2O2 starting material, the latter crystallizes, starting from the seed crystals, and forms a crystal layer. When the mother liquor of lower H2O2 concentration has been discharged, there follows a sweating operation with a slow increase in temperature, as a result of which the H2O2 concentration in the crystal layer is increased further.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering ditrimethylolpropane from a still residue obtained by extracting and then distilling off trimethylolpropane from a reaction solution obtained by reacting n-butyraldelhyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst, wherein the still residue is distilled to remove high-boiling components therefrom, and the resultant distillate is subjected to crystallization. When the above process is combined with the acid decomposition, it becomes possible to decompose a linear formal compound obtained from 2 molecules of TMP contained in the still residue as crude TMP and one molecule of formaldehyde, so that di-TMP having a higher purity is obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides finely divided, substantially crystalline particles of budesonide characterized in that they are substantially smooth and having a BET value from 1 to 4.5 m2/g, process for their preparation, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said particles, the use of said particles in the treatment of and in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a respiratory disorder, and a method of treatment of respiratory disorders by administration of said particles to a host in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Compressed gases, liquefied gases, or supercritical fluids are utilized as anti-solvents in a crystal growing process for complex molecules. Crystals of the present invention exhibit greater crystal size and improved morphology over crystals obtained by conventional methods.

Abstract: An improved method for the recovery of metal and/or chemical values from an industrial waste stream containing zinc, cadmium, lead and/or iron compounds by heating the waste stream in a reducing atmosphere, treating the resultant fumes in an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, if necessary, to less than about 6.3, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, adjusting the pH of the solution to about 6.5 to about 7.0, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components, as necessary, resulting in the zinc products and the optional iron-carbon feedstock.

Abstract: In order to recover in an environmentally sound and economic manner used hardening shop salts which contain nitrate-nitrite, the salts, comminuted to particle sizes of from 1 to 50 mm, are dissolved in a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide without nitrogen oxides arising, and, by evaporation and cooling, potassium nitrate, sodium chloride, and sodium nitrate are obtained sequentially by fractional crystallization.

Abstract: Impinging fluid jet streams are used in a continuous crystallization process to achieve high intensity micromixing of fluids so as to form a homogeneous composition prior to the start of nucleation. This process permits direct crystallization of high surface area particles of high purity and stability.

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.

Abstract: A method for making single crystals, comprising osmotically removing the solvent from a solution containing the material to be grown into a crystal.

Abstract: In the process for the separation of substances by cooling crystallization, the mixture remaining in the crystallizer after separation of the crystal layer is removed and the crystal layer is melted. The process is distinguished in that the mixture, which completely fills the crystallizer, is set into vibration during the process of solidification by movements of oscillation imparted to it and is left in the crystallizer until a degree of solidification of from 50% to 90% has been obtained.

Abstract: A method for purifying silicon comprises the steps of providing a body of molten silicon-rich material in a solvent metal comprising copper or copper-aluminum combination and extracting heat therefrom to provide a solid phase containing silicon in crystal form and to concentrate impurities in a molten phase. After a desired amount of heat has been extracted, a substantial part of the molten phase is separated from the solid phase. A fraction or portion of the solid phase is remelted for purposes of removing solvent metal comprising copper or copper-aluminum solvent metal, including impurities, from the crystals, and at least one fraction of the remelted material is separated from the crystals.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a suspension consisting of a hollow cylinder in which one or more tubes of a constant outward diameter extend in axial direction, in the wall of each tube at least one filter being mounted forming the only direct connection between the interior of the tube and the interior of the cylinder. Two or more of such apparatus can be connected in series in order to form a cascade.

Abstract: Production of elementary sulphur from an iron sulphide mineral, which comprises oxidizing acid lixiviation of the pulverized mineral, for extraction of the sulfur. The pulp obtained from the lixiviation is treated in the hot with an organic solvent for sulphur, the solvent having a density higher than 1, to separate this pulp into an aqueous phase containing in solution the non-ferrous metals, the sulphates of which are water soluble, and into a suspension of the solid of the pulp in an organic phase consisting of a solution of sulphur in the solvent separated by decantation and, after separation of the solid in suspension in the organic phase, the sulphur is recovered by crystallization after cooling of the organic phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processing of phosphoric acid by crystallization starting with phosphoric acid and adding relatively large amounts of fine, relatively pure seed crystals to acid which has been cooled to supersaturated conditions. Crystallization thereafter proceeds under conditions which substantially favor growth on the seeds which are added and disfavor secondary nucleation. The present invention particularly describes a seed crystal generator for use in the foregoing process in which relatively high purity phosphoric acid, containing 60% to 66% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 is cooled to a temperature of at least 5.degree. to 10.degree. C. below zero and thereafter nucleated under agitation for less than ten minutes in a small crystallizing vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processing of phosphoric acid by crystallization. Wet-process phosphoric acid is purified by cooling it to supersaturated conditions and adding relatively large amounts of fine, relatively pure seed crystal. Crystallization thereafter proceeds under conditions which substantially favor crystal growth on the seeds which are added and disfavor secondary nucleation. To prevent the crystallizing magma from reaching a viscosity which would render further processing difficult, the present invention provides for recycling raffinate in an amount sufficient to maintain the solids content of the crystallizing magma below about 40%.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new method for obtaining a crystallized phosphoric acid of relatively high purity starting with conventional phosphoric acid. The new method is based on crystallization of orthophosphoric acid hemihydrate from the phosphoric acid. Massive nucleation which would lead to the formation of unprocessable masses is avoided in the new method by providing unusually large amounts of fine relatively pure seed crystals of orthophosphoric acid hemihydrate and operating the crystallization process under conditions which favor crystal growth on the seed crystals and disfavor the occurrence of secondary nucleation. To prevent the crystallizing magma from reaching a viscosity which would render further processing difficult the present invention provides for recycling raffinate in an amount sufficient to maintain the solids content of the crystallizing magma below about 40%.

Abstract: A method for treating in counter current of suspended particles with a liquid, whereby the particles and the liquid are transferred in opposite directions through a contact zone which, at some places, spaced in axial direction, is stirred in planes perpendicular to the center line of the contact zone, in which the contact zone is one continuous space and that the volume fraction of the solid matter in the contact zone is maintained at a value between 0.20 and 0.55.

Abstract: In the crystallization of a substance from a solution, in particular the crystallization of fats from a mother liquor containing solvents, the solution is rapidly cooled (I) to a temperature below the crystallization temperature. This supercooled and hence supersaturated solution begins to crystallize only after ca. 60 to 90 seconds, so that during this interval (II) it may be transferred to a retention tank in which crystallization takes place (III). This method may be carried out either quasi-continuously or continuously.

Abstract: Industrially crystallized potassium chloride having a potassium chloride content of at least 95 weight percent and containing a minor contaminating amount of inorganic metal salt impurities, e.g., sodium chloride, is purified by leaching compacted particles of said potassium chloride with an aqueous leaching solution, the solute of which solution is selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride and mixtures of potassium chloride and sodium chloride. The leaching solution is saturated with respect to potassium chloride and substantially unsaturated with respect to sodium chloride. The compacted particles are maintained in contact with the leaching solution for a time sufficient to reduce substantially the sodium chloride content thereof, and potassium chloride particles of reduced sodium chloride content are recovered from the leaching solution. The leached compacted particles are transparent and comprise single and compound euhedral cubic crystals.

Abstract: A method of obtaining caustic soda and pure sodium chloride from an electrolytic cell liquor containing also sulfate ions including the steps of concentrating the liquor through multiple effect evaporation, cooling the concentrate obtained, separating the sodium chloride and the salt containing sulfate and recovering the caustic soda, whereby during a first stage the liquor is evaporated so as to precipitate only sodium chloride which is removed, in a second stage a solid phase is formed of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and triple salt of caustic soda, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, with said solid phase being contacted with a caustic soda solution of less than about 35% by weight concentration, so as to decompose said triple salt, removing the salt containing sulfate, and in a third stage the solution from the second stage is cooled to precipitate said triple salt of caustic soda, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, which is separated from the caustic soda which does not crystallize and is removed fro

Abstract: A subterranean salt deposit is solution mined, and the resulting calcium- and sulfate-contaminated brine is treated, e.g., by soda ash, to precipitate insoluble calcium compounds. The resulting slurry is settled, and the effluent clear brine is evaporated in a series of solar ponds to produce high-grade sodium chloride.The brine becomes progressively more concentrated with respect to sodium sulfate as it moves through the solar ponds. The sulfate-enriched brine may be recycled to the solution mine, evaporated to form a sulfate-contaminated sodium chloride crystal crop, or it may be subjected to winter cooling to remove sulfate values as Glauber's salt, the residual brine being recycled to the solar ponds or the solution mine.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide containing soluble impurities such as a concentrated catholyte produced by a diaphragm electrolysis is cooled by a coolant or a heat-exchanger to form a slurry containing sodium hydroxide hydrate crystals and fine impurity crystals. The fine impurity crystals are adsorbed on bubbles which are formed by vaporizing a dissolved coolant or introducing a gas in the slurry and separated from the slurry.

Abstract: A process is provided for the continuous separation of suspended basic alkali metal azide particles from a liquid reaction medium by bringing the liquid reaction medium into contact with a non-reactive mineral oil whereby the suspended metal azide particles migrate into the mineral oil phase and are thereafter separated therefrom.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide containing soluble impurities such as a concentrated catholyte produced by a diaphragm electrolysis is cooled by a coolant or a heat-exchanger to form a slurry containing sodium hydroxide hydrate crystals and fine impurity crystals. The fine impurity crystals are adsorbed on bubbles which are formed by vaporizing a dissolved coolant or introducing a gas in the slurry and separated from the slurry.