Abstract: A method for synchronous production of manganese tetraoxide and ferric oxide for a soft magnetic material by using marine polymetallic nodules includes: 1) crushing and grinding marine manganese nodules and baking to a constant weight; thoroughly mixing with a mixed flux and roasting in a muffle furnace; 2) carrying out solid-liquid separation, washing solid-phase precipitates with water, grinding the solid, adding sulfuric acid, controlling the temperature to be below 50° C., and vacuuming a reactor up; 3) adding a reducing agent to react at room temperature for 5-10 min, adding ammonia water to adjust the pH value to 5.5, and carrying out separation and filtering; 4) controlling the temperatures of manganese sulfate and ferric sulfate solutions to be below 50° C., and adding ammonium sulfide; and 5) washing with deionized water, and calcining at 800-900° C. for 1-3 s by a suspension low-temperature instantaneous firing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: A process for recovery of lithium ions from a lithium-bearing brine includes contacting the lithium-bearing brine with a lithium ion sieve (where that LIS includes an oxide of titanium or niobium) in a first stirred reactor to form a lithium ion complex with the lithium ion sieve, and decomplexing the lithium ion from the lithium ion sieve in a second stirred reactor to form the lithium ion sieve and an acidic lithium salt eluate.

Abstract: An infrared-shielding nanoparticle dispersion has a property whereby visible light is adequately transmitted, and light in the near-infrared region is adequately shielded. The infrared-shielding nanoparticles include a plural aggregate of electroconductive particles composed of a tungsten oxide expressed by the general formula WyOz (where W is tungsten, O is oxygen, and 2.2?z/y?2.999), and/or a composite tungsten oxide expressed by the general formula MxWyOz (where M is one or more elements selected from H, alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, rare earth elements, Mg, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B, F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Be, Hf, Os, Bi, and I; W is tungsten; O is oxygen; 0.001?x/y?1.1; and 2.2?z/y?3.0).

Abstract: A roasting furnace for processing ores or concentrates, preferably molybdenum-containing ores or concentrates is described. The roasting furnace contains at least one first rotary lifting system for the displacement of said arm along the axis direction, wherein said first rotary lifting system is a telescopic lifting system, and/or wherein a distance x between two consecutive said stages of said roasting furnace are at least 1.000 m, wherein said distance x is measured along the axis direction. The roasting furnace of has an improved processing capacity and/or a reduction in the number of halts, and consequently is more energy-efficient, more environmentally-friendly and more economically interesting.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and controlled synthesis of mixed metal oxide nanoparticles using relatively low temperature plasma oxidation of liquid droplets of predetermined mixed metal precursors is disclosed. The resulting nanoparticles reflect the metal precursor stoichiometries and the mixed metal oxide's metastable phase can be controlled. The synthesis of mixed transition metal oxide comprising binary metal oxides, ternary mixed metal oxides, quaternary mixed metal oxides and pentanary mixed metal oxides are demonstrated herein.

Abstract: Electrodes employing as active material iridium nanoparticles synthesized by a novel route are provided. The nanoparticle synthesis is facile and reproducible, and provides iridium nanoparticles of very small dimension and high purity for a wide range of metals. The electrodes utilizing these nanoparticles have excellent efficiency catalyzing the electrolytic production of oxygen from water.

Abstract: A method of producing sodium tungstate of this invention including allowing cemented carbide scrap containing tungsten to react with a molten salt containing sodium sulfate and having added thereto a metal oxide, to thereby obtain sodium tungstate.

Abstract: A method of: dissolving salts of a first metal ion and a second metal ion in water to form a solution; heating the solution to a temperature of about 80-90° C.; and adding a base to the solution to precipitate nanoparticles of an oxide of the first metal ion and the second metal ion.

Abstract: A magnetic metal particle aggregate includes a plurality of magnetic metal particles including at least one magnetic metal selected from a first group consisting of Fe, Co, and Ni. The plurality of magnetic metal particles are partly bound with each other, and an average particle diameter of the plurality of magnetic metal particles is 10 nm or more and 50 nm or less. The magnetic metal particle aggregate has an average particle diameter of 15 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, and benign process to pretreat lignocellulose biomass for the economical production of biofuel and extraction of organic chemicals. Lignocellulose solids are mixed or blended with ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate and heated within a pressure reactor. At elevated temperature (e.g., >35° C.), the ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate dissociates into ammonia and carbon dioxide gases and water vapor, thereby causing a rise in pressure within the pressure reactor. Rapid release of the gases from the pressure reactor then ruptures biomass cell wall structures, which facilitates conversion of the cellulose and hemicellulose in the pretreated biomass to sugars that are fermentable into ethanol or other liquid fuels. Optionally, ammonia bicarbonate/carbonate can be reconstituted by cooling and precipitating the carbon dioxide and ammonia gases released from the pressure reactor for further use in the pretreatment process or sequestered as an end product.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensor technology for gases, and more specifically, to nanofiber based gas sensors capable of operating at high temperatures (e.g., hundreds, thousands of degrees Celsius). In exemplary embodiments, a combination of p-type and n-type nanofiber materials can be combined to create gas sensors that can be used to detect reducing gases with enhanced selectivity/sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite materials in which a carbon material and a metal compound can maintain a nanosized form as a final product is realized, and a method for manufacturing a superior electrode material is provided. A metal compound precursor is formed from a metal compound material source, and a mixture of the metal compound precursor and a carbon material is calcinated. In the treatment to form the precursor, a treatment of absorbing one of the metal compound material sources to the functional group of the carbon material and a treatment of producing on the carbon material a treatment of reacting the remaining material source of the adsorbed metal compound material source on the carbon material to produce a metal compound precursor are performed in separate steps.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a device with a monolayer of metal nanoparticles and a method for making the same. The nanoparticles of the monolayer of metal nanoparticles are grouped in an ultrahigh density with an average distance between each neighboring metal nanoparticle less than or equal to about 3 nanometers. The monolayer can be self-assembled on a substrate to facilitate controllable voltage shifts within the device.

Abstract: Nanowire preparation methods, compositions, and articles are disclosed. Such methods which reduce metal ions to metal nanowires in the presence of aluminum or gallium ions, are capable of producing long, narrow, nanowires useful for electronics and optical applications.

Abstract: Nanomaterial preparation methods, compositions, and articles are disclosed and claimed. Such methods can provide nanomaterials with improved morphologies relative to previous methods. Such materials are useful in electronic applications.

Abstract: Low-temperature organometallic nucleation and crystallization-based synthesis methods for the fabrication of semiconductor and metal colloidal nanocrystals with narrow size distributions and tunable, size- and shape-dependent electronic and optical properties. Methods include (1) forming a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel under an inert atmosphere that includes at least one solvent, a cationic precursor, an anionic precursor, and at least a first surface stabilizing ligand while stirring at a temperature in a range from about 50° C. to about 130° C. and (2) growing nanocrystals in the reaction mixture for a period of time while maintaining the temperature, the stirring, and the inert-gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A polar liquid mixture containing suspended or dissolved particles or solute is exposed to air or a hydrophilic surface. An exclusion zone having a reduced concentration of particles or solute is formed in the polar liquid adjacent to the interface with air or the hydrophilic surface. One or more fractions of purified polar liquid and/or concentrated particles or solute are collected. A sensor can provide feedback to the collector.

Abstract: An aspect provides a method of treating direct reduced iron (DRI) pellets, by applying a foam to the DRI pellets. The foam may include a foam having an expansion ratio of about 20-40 and a bubble size of about 200 microns or less. The foam may include one or more additives, such as anti-corrosion agent(s), oxidizing agents, and dust reducing binder(s). The foam(s) may be applied in a single stage or in multiple stages and may be applied to hot or cold DRI pellets. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for making semiconducting single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) includes providing a substrate. A single walled carbon nanotube film including metallic SWCNTs and semiconducting SWCNTs is located on the substrate. At least one electrode is located on the single walled carbon nanotube film and electrically connected with the single walled carbon nanotube film. A macromolecule material layer is located on the single walled carbon nanotube film to cover the single walled carbon nanotube film. The macromolecule material layer covering the metallic SWCNTs is removed by an electron beam bombardment method, to expose the metallic SWCNTs. The metallic SWCNTs and the macromolecule material layer covering the semiconducting SWCNTs are removed.

Abstract: A filtration medium comprises a textile substrate and a mercury abatement coating on a least a portion of the surface of the textile substrate. The mercury abatement coating comprises a copper salt, a binder, and other optional components. A process for removing mercury from a gaseous stream uses the filtration medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid process using ion exchange resins in the selective recovery of nickel and cobalt of leaching effluents that is comprised of the steps of processing (1) the laterite ore (M), which is then treated through leaching (2) (either atmospheric or under pressure), considering solutions from the solid-liquid separation step of existing plants already in operation (2) as well, in a way that the downstream process comprises an ion exchange hybrid circuit, wherein the first ion exchange step (3) with resins (Re) exhibits specific selectivity conditions for the removal of iron, aluminum and copper and an increased pH, and the second ion exchange step (4) allows the removal of nickel and cobalt.

Abstract: A process for recovering a precious metal from ore includes adding process water containing thiocyanates to ore particles to obtain a pulp. The pulp having a basic pH is contacted with an oxidizing gas containing ozone; and the pulp is contacted with cyanide. Contacting the pulp with cyanide can include adding cyanide subsequently to contacting the pulp with the oxidizing gas containing ozone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a treated ore solid comprising a reduced amount of a contaminant, for example arsenic, compared to the ore solid prior to treatment. Also disclosed are temperature and pressure modifications, parameters, and methods for treating an ore solid by pressure oxidation leaching of enargite concentrates. The disclosed methods and processes may be applied to copper sulfide orebodies and concentrates containing arsenic. In some cases, the disclosed methods and systems extract, remove, or reduce contaminants, for example arsenic, from an ore containing solution at moderately increased temperature, pressure, and oxygen concentration, and in the presence of an acid.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal chalcogenide dispersion usable in forming a light absorbing layer of a solar cell, the method including: a metal chalcogenide nano particle formation step in which at least one metal or metal compound selected from the group consisting of a group 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 metal or metal compound, a water-containing solvent and a group 16 element-containing compound are mixed together to obtain metal chalcogenide nano particles; and an addition step in which a compound (1) represented by general formula (1) is added to the metal chalcogenide nano particles, thereby obtaining a metal chalcogenide dispersion (wherein R1 to R4 each independently represents an alkyl group, an aryl group or a hydrogen atom; provided that at least one of R1 to R4 represents a hydrocarbon group).

Abstract: The invention provides a processing method for upgrading an organic phase substance by removing heavy element species from the organic phase substance originating from a resource substance in mild environmental conditions, and further provides a method for collecting removed heavy element species and a method for collecting other substances.

Abstract: A method for recycling metals is provided by using extracellular proteins excreted by a specific thermophilic bacteria strain, Tepidimonas fonticaldi sp. nov., in which the extracellular proteins show excellent metal-ion binding ability, being useful in recycling rare earth metal ions and precious metal ions from geothermal fluids, boiler solutions, industrial wastewater or hard water.

Abstract: The present invention is such that, with H1 being the height from a slurry outlet to a control liquid level, H2 being the height from the control liquid level to the top of a flash vessel, and being the diameter of the flash vessel, 0.35D?H1?0.45D, and 0.75D?H2?0.85D, and at least one liquid level sensor detects a slurry liquid surface at a control liquid level; when the liquid level sensor detects a slurry liquid surface which has risen, a slurry discharge valve installed on a slurry discharge pipe derived from the flash vessel is opened; and when the liquid level sensor detects a slurry liquid surface which has fallen, the slurry discharge valve is closed, whereby opening and closing of the valve is appropriately controlled thereby to reduce troubles with a steam discharge pipe, the slurry discharge pipe, and the slurry discharge valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods that can be used in the enrichment of metal sulfide ores in desired minerals in cases where the ores have sulfide-containing gangues. The method involves adding an oxidant to slurries prepared from the ores during, or immediately prior to froth flotation.

Abstract: A system and method for the calcination of minerals.

Abstract: A method for separating arsenic and heavy metals in an acidic washing solution which contains both arsenic and heavy metal, more particularly in a washing solution which is formed in copper smelting and contains sulphuric acid, comprises a separation process section, in which arsenic and at least one primary heavy metal are separated from one another. The separation process section comprises a processing step, in which hydrogen peroxide H2O2 is added to the washing solution, and the separation process section comprises a precipitation stage, in which the washing solution is admixed with a sulphide precipitation reagent, causing the at least one primary heavy metal to precipitate in the form of a metal sulphide. The processing step in this system is carried out before the precipitation stage.

Abstract: A method of treating value bearing material comprising oxidized or surface oxidized mineral values includes the steps of crushing the value bearing material, contacting the crushed material! with a sulfide solution to sulfide the oxidized or surface oxidized mineral values, and adding ions of a selected base metal to the crushed value bearing material. The value bearing material may comprise oxidized or surface oxidized base metal or precious metal minerals. The crushed value bearing material is prepared as a slurry or pulp comprising from 15% to 40% solids and the remainder comprising water. The sulfide solution preferably comprises a soluble sulfidiser such as sodium hydrosulfide and the base-metal ion solution preferably comprises metal salt of base metals like copper or iron.

Abstract: A method for treating an ore material with electro-magnetic energy, the method comprising at least the steps of: agglomerating the ore material; irradiating the ore material with electromagnetic energy; thereby heating the liquid in the ore material; vapourising at least a portion of the liquid in the ore material; forming micro-channels in the ore material, and acid leaching the ore material.

Abstract: A functionalized mesoporous carbon composition comprising a mesoporous carbon scaffold having mesopores in which polyvinyl polymer grafts are covalently attached, wherein said mesopores have a size of at least 2 nm and up to 50 nm. Also described is a method for producing the functionalized mesoporous composition, wherein a reaction medium comprising a precursor mesoporous carbon, vinyl monomer, initiator, and solvent is subjected to sonication of sufficient power to result in grafting and polymerization of the vinyl monomer into mesopores of the precursor mesoporous carbon. Also described are methods for using the functionalized mesoporous carbon, particularly in extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.

Abstract: A solvent extraction composition that is particularly useful for the extraction of metals from a solution containing the metals. The solvent extraction composition includes an orthohydroxyaryloxime extractant, at least one water immiscible organic solvent, and an effective amount of a substantially water insoluble equilibrium modifier. The equilibrium modifier includes at least one of an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic compound comprising three or more ester functional groups. A method for the solvent extraction of a metal such as copper from an aqueous solution using the solvent extraction composition is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering inorganic pigment such as TiO2 from a coating composition that includes liquid, an organic component, and an inorganic component. The coating composition is thermally treated to remove at least a portion of the organic component and yield an inorganic pigment composition having a higher concentration of the inorganic pigment (TiO2) than in the original coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for generating steam and recovering salts during a lignocellulosic conversion process. The process comprises de-salting a still bottoms stream; incinerating a stream comprising lignin and the de-salted still bottoms stream in an incinerator; and utilizing the heat generated from said incinerating to produce steam. Further provided is a process that comprises feeding a concentrated still bottoms stream to a crystallizer and forming insoluble solids therein comprising salts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for recovering salts from a lignocellulosic conversion process, which process comprises the addition of solvent to a still bottoms stream to precipitate salts therefrom. Also provided is a still bottoms composition, a fertilizer product and a composition for incineration.

Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of lithium, iron and silica compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions contain concentration of lithium ranges from 0 to 200 mg/kg, concentration of silica ranges from 0 to 30 mg/kg, concentration of iron ranges from 0 to 300 mg/kg. Exemplary compositions also contain reduced concentrations of elements like arsenic, barium, and lead.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a doped gallium arsenide single crystal by melting a gallium arsenide starting material and subsequently solidifying the gallium arsenide melt, wherein the gallium arsenide melt contains an excess of gallium relative to the stoichiometric composition, and wherein it is provided for a boron concentration of at least 5×1017 cm?3 in the melt or in the obtained crystal. The thus obtained crystal is characterized by a unique combination of low dislocation density, high conductivity and yet excellent, very low optic absorption, particularly in the range of the near infrared.

Abstract: A process for using an aqueous oxidizing solution includes at least steps of formulating the aqueous oxidizing solution by addition of ingredients to water; a metal solubilization step of oxidizing and thereby rendering soluble a desired at least one metal from a ground amount of ore in suspension; collecting a pregnant liquor from the suspension; and selectively removing at least a portion of the at least one metal from the liquor while at a pH of less than 3, such that any remaining liquid is a recyclable liquor. The aqueous oxidizing solution has a pH of less than 0.7 primarily as a result of the presence of at least one strong acid and persulphate anions. The aqueous oxidizing solution contains anions selected from a group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide and nitrate.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality and quantity of a soluble salt recovered from the supernatant produced when concentrated solutions are mixed to precipitate an insoluble salt are disclosed. Liquid residual, or supernatant, contains salt that is reusable in the regeneration solution of ion removal devices such as ion exchange or electrodialysis metathesis (EDM). The disclosed embodiments include a method for concentration and purification of salt. NaCl is recovered in a truly Zero Discharge Desalination (i.e., ZDD) process. The ZDD process utilizes reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) for the primary desalination of groundwater that has high concentration of CaSO4 and utilizes EDM to separately remove calcium and sulfate ions from the RO or NF concentrate so that water recovery can be improved. The recovered NaCl is reused in the EDM.

Abstract: Process for removing metal compounds or metalloid compounds M present in the gas phase from a gas G comprising these, wherein the gas G comprising the volatile metal compound or metalloid compound M is brought into contact with a solid donor D and the resulting reaction product is separated off.

Abstract: The invention relates to modifications of a non-ammoniacal thiosulfate process of leaching precious metals (e.g. gold or silver) from precious metal-containing ores. The process involves leaching the ore with an aqueous lixiviant containing a soluble thiosulfate other than ammonium thiosulfate, a copper compound and an organic compound that serves as a copper ligand (i.e. a ligand-forming compound). Four modifications of this process are effective for increasing the amount of precious metal that can be extracted, reducing the consumption of materials, or for improving the rate of extraction. These four process, which may be used singly or in any combination, include (a) additions of soluble lead (e.g. as lead nitrate), (b) additions of thiourea, (c) increases in dissolved oxygen, and (d) increases of temperature at ambient pressure. This avoids the use environmentally harmful chemicals and allows for extraction from a variety of ores, e.g., containing substantial amounts of sulfides and/or quartz.

Abstract: Non-spherical siliceous particles having a plurality of porous branches are disclosed and claimed. The porous branches are randomly oriented and elongated, ring-like, and/or aggregated. An additive introduced during synthesis of the particles modifies pore volume and morphology. The tunability of the pore volume includes an inner diameter ranging from about 2 ? to about 50,000 ?. Synthesizing the particles includes mixing under constant or intermittent stirring in a reaction vessel an aqueous silicic acid solution with an acidic heel solution to form a mixture. The stirring may optionally be performed at a variable speed. An additive is introduced into the mixture at a controlled rate, wherein the additive imposes a pH change from a lower pH to a higher pH to the mixture to induce siliceous particle precipitation.

Abstract: A method for leaching of minerals and sequestration of CO2 is disclosed, wherein the method comprises forming a rock pile; injecting exhaust gas containing CO2 in the lower part of the rock pile; spraying leaching liquid on top of the rock pile; collecting enriched leaching liquid from a lower part of the rock pile; precipitating mineral carbonates from the enriched leaching liquid, or further extracting dissolved elements or compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting mineral particles in a slurry or the tailings is disclosed. The apparatus may take the form of a filter, a conveyor belt or an impeller to be used in a processor to collect mineral particles in the slurry, or in a tailings pond to collect mineral particles in the tailings. The filter, conveyor belt or impeller has a collection area made of or coated with a synthetic material having a functional group, either anionic or cationic to attach to the mineral particles. Alternatively, the synthetic material has hydrophobic molecules to render the collection area hydrophobic. When the mineral particles in the slurry or tailings are combined with collector molecules, the mineral particles also become hydrophobic. The hydrophobic mineral particles are attracted to the hydrophobic collection area. The filter, conveyor belt and impeller may have a plurality of passage ways in order to increase the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A method for recycling metals is provided by using extracellular proteins excreted by a specific thermophilic bacteria strain, Tepidimonas fonticaldi sp. nov., in which the extracellular proteins show excellent metal-ion binding ability, being useful in recycling rare earth metal ions and precious metal ions from geothermal fluids, boiler solutions, industrial wastewater or hard water.

Abstract: A method for recovering a metal, capable of recovering a metal easily without requiring the use of an organic medium, is provided. A first complex between a first chelating agent and a metal present in a sample is formed in a first mixture prepared by mixing the first chelating agent and the sample. Then, the first complex is recovered from the first mixture, and a second complex between the metal derived from the first complex and a second chelating agent is formed in a second mixture prepared by mixing the first complex and an aqueous solution of the second chelating agent. The aqueous solution is under the pH conditions where the first chelating agent can be insoluble in the aqueous solution. Then, a liquid fraction containing the second complex is recovered from the second mixture. Thus, the metal can be recovered.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an extraction method. A conduit is formed in a heap-leach pad. The heap-leach pad includes a plurality of poorly perfused areas. The conduit is in fluid communication with poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad. A fluid that includes steam is injected into the conduit. The fluid travels through the heap-leach pad and condenses in poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad. An extraction solution is applied to the heap-leach pad. Condensation of steam in the poorly perfused areas of the heap-leach pad provides new flow pathways for the extraction solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron, silica, and zinc compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions contain concentration of zinc ranges from 0 to 300 mg/kg, concentration of silica ranges from 0 to 30 mg/kg, concentration of iron ranges from 0 to 300 mg/kg. Exemplary compositions also contain reduced concentrations of elements like lithium, manganese, arsenic, barium, and lead. Exemplary compositions include Salton Sea brines containing a concentration of zinc less than 10 mg/kg, a concentration of silica ranging from less than 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of iron less than 10 mg/kg.