Abstract: A process for producing anhydrous magnesium chloride comprising steps of selective calcination of Mg-containing minerals, selective leaching of magnesium, separation of insoluble impurities, precipitation of magnesium chloride hexammoniate and thermal decomposition of the magnesium chloride hexammoniate crystals into magnesium chloride and ammonia.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating ashes from the combustion of petroleum fuels by mixing the combustion ashes with water to produce a slurry; injecting either calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide into the slurry and reacting the calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide with the ammonium sulfate within the ashes to produce a slurry containing gypsum and ammonia; flowing the slurry containing gypsum and ammonia down from the top portion of packed column and air or steam up from the bottom portion of the packed column so that the air or steam strips the ammonia from the gypsum slurry; and separating the gypsum from the resulting ammonia-free slurry using a solid/liquid separator.

Abstract: A method of separating calcium from mixtures of metal oxides, sulfides, nitrates and carbonates. Particulate calcium containing mixtures are leached with nitric acid to form calcium nitrate and metal nitrates, which are heated to dryness and to form metal oxides, while not affecting the calcium nitrate. The resulting mixture is then leached with water to obtain a calcium nitrate containing leachate and a residue of low solubility metal oxides and insoluble metal oxides. If desired, the calcium nitrate can be decomposed to form a lime product.

Abstract: A method of producing an aqueous suspension of calcium hydroxide which comprises passing a gaseous flow incorporating particles of calcium carbonate through a calcining furnace thermally to decompose the calcium carbonate, delivering a flow of the decomposition products formed in the furnace comprising calcium oxide particles suspended in gas comprising carbon dioxide to a vessel wherein the calcium oxide particles are contacted with water to produce an aqueous suspension of calcium hydroxide and separating the aqueous suspension from the said gas.

Abstract: Extraction of calcium salts from papermaking sludge or sludge-derived ash is accomplished by mixing with a solution of an inorganic or organic acid. The acid extraction typically results in solubilization of other salts as well, e.g., those of aluminum, magnesium and iron. However, because these non-calcium salts precipitate as hydroxides at lower pH than calcium hydroxide, a caustic (or any other alkaline agent, in a solid or liquid form) is gradually added to precipitate non-calcium salts to facilitate their removal from solution (generally by filtration or centrifugation) prior to precipitation of calcium hydroxide. The desired calcium salt is then precipitated through addition of the appropriate acid anion (either by way of the acid or a salt having greater water solubility than the resulting calcium salt).

Abstract: A process for facilitating the removal of impurities e.g. radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium, and/or one or more of their radionuclide daughters, from titaniferous material includes contacting the titaniferous material with one or more reagents at an elevated temperature selected to enhance the accessibility of at least one of the radionuclide daughters in the titaniferous material. The reagent(s) may be a glass forming reagent and is selected to form a phase at the elevated temperature which disperses onto the surfaces of the titaniferous material and incorporates the radionuclides and one or more radionuclide daughter. The titaniferous material may be, e.g., ilmenite, reduced ilmenite, altered ilmenite or synthetic rutile.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating lead paste from exhausted batteries. Calcium sulfite and calcium thiosulfite are formed by the reaction:3Ca(OH).sub.2 +4S.degree..fwdarw.2CaS+CaS.sub.2 O.sub.3 +3H.sub.2 O(1).The CaS and CaS.sub.2 O.sub.3 is reacted with sodium sulfate to effect the double exchange reaction:2CaS+CaS.sub.2 O.sub.3 +3Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 .fwdarw.2Na.sub.2 S+Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 +3CaSO.sub.4 (2).The sodium sulfide and sodium thiosulfate is then reacted with the lead paste for converting the various lead paste components (PbSO.sub.4, PbO and PbO.sub.2) into PbS with the concomitant production of sodium sulfate. The sodium sulfate can be recycled to reaction (2).

Abstract: A method for producing engineered materials from salt/polymer aqueous solutions in which an aqueous continuous phase having at least one metal cation salt is mixed with a hydrophilic organic polymeric disperse phase so as to form a metal cation/polymer gel. The metal cation/polymer gel is then treated to form a structural mass precursor, which structural mass precursor is heated, resulting in formation of a structural mass having predetermined characteristics based upon the intended application of the structural mass.

Abstract: A process for recovering SF.sub.6 from a gas is provided. The process includes the step of contacting a gas stream comprising SF.sub.6 and at least one of N.sub.2, O.sub.2, CO.sub.2, and H.sub.2 O with a membrane in at least one membrane separation unit at conditions effective to obtain a retentate stream rich in SF.sub.6 and a permeate stream rich in at least one of N.sub.2, O.sub.2, CO.sub.2, and H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: Magnesium fluoride slag contaminated with metallic uranium or uranium compounds is treated by digestion with potassium hydroxide to soluble potassium fluoride and insoluble magnesium hydroxide. The solid and liquid phases are then separated and the solids phase is dissolved in acid to form a solution of metal salts. The liquid phase is treated with lime to precipitate calcium fluoride and convert the potassium back to potassium hydroxide for recycle to the digestion reaction. The metal salts are separated to remove the uranium salt from the magnesium salt. The result is an efficient removal of uranium contamination from the magnesium, the recovery of magnesium in a manner that permits efficient reuse or safe disposal, and the production of calcium fluoride useful for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: A solution process for the purification of calcium hydroxide, particularly from hydrated carbide lime, which is subsequently used as a feed stock for a high-value calcium product, preferably calcium carbonate. Precipitated calcium carbonate is formed by reaction of the purified calcium hydroxide solution with carbon dioxide in a plug-flow reaction system.

Abstract: The process for environmentally acceptable and economical recovery of chloride salts from hardening-shop used salts utilizing the steps of leaching of the used salt, detoxification of the cyanide and selective crystallization of the individual chloride salts. The process is characterized in that all the chloride salts that are present in the hardening-shop used salt are recovered in pure form.

Abstract: A convenient process for making builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders is provided. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. In its broadest aspect, the invention is directed to a process involving converting starting materials (via any means including but not limited to heating and precipitating) to a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

Abstract: A method of treating spent potliner material from aluminum reduction cells is disclosed. The spent potliner material is introduced into a sulfuric acid digester to produce a gas component including hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide and a slurry component including carbon, silica, alumina, sodium sulfate, iron, calcium and magnesium. The gas component is recovered and heated an effective amount to eliminate hydrogen cyanide and produce a remaining gas component including CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O, nitrogen oxides and HF. The remaining gas component is directed through a water scrubber to form hydrofluoric acid, and the hydrofluoric acid is admixed with aluminum hydroxide to create aluminum fluoride. The slurry component is rinsed with water to separate a first solid fraction containing carbon, alumina and silica from a second liquid faction. The pH of the liquid fraction is adjusted to first create and separate aluminum hydroxide and then to separate sodium sulfate.

Abstract: A process for producing nano size powders comprising the steps of mixing an aqueous continuous phase comprising at least one metal cation salt with a hydrophilic organic polymeric disperse phase, forming a metal cation salt/polymer gel, and heat treating the gel at a temperature sufficient to drive off water and organics within the gel, leaving as a residue a nanometer particle-size powder.

Abstract: Monoclinic celsian (BaO.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2) is produced by heating a stoichiometric, powder mixture of BaCO.sub.3 (or BaC.sub.2 O.sub.4), Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and SiO.sub.2 (preferably SiO.sub.2 gel) with monoclinic celsian seeds at from 1250.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for preparing magnesium hydroxide having high purity which comprises dispersing the raw product in water, under stirring, then adjusting the pH to a value comprised between 10,0 and 14,0; adding a chelating agent and separing the resulting phases.

Abstract: A process for facilitating the removal of impurities e.g. radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium, and/or one or more of their radionuclide daughters, from titaniferous material includes contacting the titaniferous material with one or more reagents at an elevated temperature selected to enhance the accessibility of at least one of the radionuclide daughters in the titaniferous material. The reagent(s) may be a glass forming reagent and is selected to form a phase at the elevated temperature which disperses onto the surfaces of the titaniferous material and incorporates the radionuclides and one or more radionuclide daughters. The titaniferous material may be, e.g., ilmenite, reduced ilmenite, altered ilmenite or synthetic rutile.

Abstract: A coating solution and a method of manufacturing a magnesium-oxide layer on a glass substrate. The layer obtained is characterized by a satisfactory adhesion and a high secondary electron emission coefficient. The curing temperature can remain below 250.degree. C., so that the method is suitable for the customary types of glass.Said coating solution comprising a solvent and partially acetylated and partially hydrolyzed Mg(OR).sub.2 of the formula Mg(OH).sub.x (OR).sub.y (OAc).sub.z.

Abstract: A stabilized, pressure-hydrated magnesium hydroxide slurry and a process for its production from burnt magnesite are described. According to an embodiment of the invention, a mixture comprising burnt natural magnesite and water is pressure hydrated to provide a pressure hydrated slurry. The pressure hydrated slurry is then deagglomerated. If desired, chloride ions and cationic polymer can be added to further stabilize the slurry.

Abstract: The pelletisation or granulation of a material or mixture of materials the or at least one of which is reactive in a liquid to produce a gas is improved by treating the reactive material prior to final compaction to form a coating thereon of a substance which is less soluble in the liquid than the reactive material. The preferred reactive material is calcium hydride and the preferred coating is calcium carbonate with or without calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: An extractant for selectively extracting strontium from an aqueous solution containing the same, which comprises a 1,2-benzenebis(1,4-dioxanonyl-6,8-dionato)metal complex of the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein M represents a metal ion of Cu (II), Zn (II) or Ni (II).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of low frequency sonic energy within the range of 1.25 to 6.5 KHz, preferably less than 2.0 KHz and most preferably 1.25 KHz, for enhancing the dissolution of alkaline earth metal scales from well bores using a scale-removing solvent comprising an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH of about 8 to about 14 and containing EDTA or DTPA and a catalyst or synergist, preferably an oxalate anion. When the scale deposit is contacted with the scale removing solvent while simultaneously transmitting low frequency sonic energy through the solvent, substantially more scale is dissolved at a faster rate than previously possible.

Abstract: A europium-doped barium fluorohalide photostimulable phosphor comprises an amount of oxygen sufficient to create a concentration of anion vacancies effective to substantially increase the stored photostimulable energy, compared to a non-oxygen-treated phosphor.

Abstract: An extraction chromatographic method for the preparation of .sup.90 Y of high chemical and radiochemical purity is disclosed. After an initial purification of a .sup.90 Sr stock solution and a suitable period of .sup.90 Y ingrowth, the solution is passed through a series of strontium-selective chromatographic columns, each of which lowers the .sup.90 Sr content of the mixture by a factor of about 10.sup.3. The .sup.90 Y remaining is freed from any residual .sup.90 Sr, from its .sup.90 Zr daughter, and from any remaining impurities by passing the sample through a final column designed to selectively retain yttrium.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the removal of rare earths from molten chloride electrolyte salts used in the reprocessing of integrated fast reactor fuel (IFR). The process can be used either continuously during normal operation of the electrorefiner or as a batch process. The process consists of first separating the actinide values from the salt before purification by removal of the rare earths. After replacement of the actinides removed in the first step, the now-purified salt electrolyte has the same uranium and plutonium concentration and ratio as when the salt was removed from the electrorefiner.

Abstract: A low-cost, fluidized-bed drying process for the production of solidified alkaline earth salts is provided which is especially useful for the production of MgCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2 O from a starting brine nominally containing MgCl.sub.2.12H.sub.2 O. The process includes the steps of passing the starting brine into a drying chamber (12) and fluidizing the brine by contact with hot air for a period of from about 1-15 minutes while heating the brine to a maximum temperature of from about 200.degree.-275.degree. F. This creates a molten salt product, which can then be cooled using ambient air to yield the desired final product. Preferably, the brine is heated to a temperature of from about 230.degree.-250.degree. F., and is subjected to fluidizing contact with hot air for about 5-8 minutes. Ambient air cooling is accomplished by contacting the intermediate melt with ambient air for a period of from about 10 seconds to 3 minutes.

Abstract: A process for working-up waste materials from barium sulfide or strontium sulfide leaching in which the amount of waste material to be disposed of is substantially decreased.

Abstract: In the pyrochemical reduction of uranium dioxide or other actinide metal oxides by reaction with magnesium, magnesium oxide byproduct is produced. The use of a salt flux comprising magnesium chloride and a rare earth element trichloride such as neodymium chloride is disclosed. The neodymium chloride reacts with magnesium oxide to form magnesium chloride and neodymium oxychloride. The resulting magnesium chloride-neodymium oxychloride salt mixture can readily be subjected to electrolysis to regenerate magnesium and neodymium chloride for reuse in the pyrochemical reduction process. Other uses of the magnesium chloride-neodymium chloride salt flux are also proposed.

Abstract: A method for the continuous treatment of air pollution control residues from various resource recovery systems whereby the air pollution control residue is treated with a dilute salt extracting solution at a pH chosen to maximize the recovery of lead, for a reaction time chosen to maximize the recovery of lead, and for a number of recycles chosen to maximize the recovery of lead from the particular residue being treated. Other metals and dissolved salts can also be recovered from the extracting solution. Thus by monitoring these three variables for each batch of residue, and adjusting the extracting solution accordingly, residue from various sources and of varying composition can be treated efficiently and continuously to remove hazardous metals and dissolved salts from the residue. Bottom residue fines, alone or admixed with air pollution control residues, can also be treated in accordance with the process of the invention.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering nickel and magnesium from natural material by extracting them in the presence of a spent sulfur containing iron based hydroconversion catalyst, under oxidative conditions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating salt-containing aluminum dross to remove potassium and sodium chloride salts therefrom. The process generally comprises treating the dross in a first treating step with a leaching solution having a pH maintained in the range of about 6-7 to remove a portion of the salt content thereof; filtering the residual solids from the first leaching solution; and treating the filtered solids in a second treating step with a second leaching solution having a pH maintained above about 8, and preferably above about 9. The pH of the first leaching solution is maintained in the desired range by the addition of hydrochloric acid, and the pH of the second leaching solution is maintained in the desired range by the addition of potassium and/or sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: The processing of leaching residues from barium sulfide leaching is described. Sodium sulfide as well as a solid which is useful as an additive for fired clay products, particularly bricks, are obtained as valuable reaction products.

Abstract: A process for the reductive dehalogenation of halogenated aromatics. The process comprises reacting halogenated aromatics with sodium or calcium in the presence of a lower alcohol selected from the group comprising methanol, ethanol or isopropanol and mixtures thereof in order to convert the halogenated aromatics to hydrogenated aromatics. The halogenated aromatics are preferably reacted with sodium in the presence of methanol under reaction conditions whereby said sodium is in molten form. The preferred starting sodium/methanol/halogen molar ratio ranges from 30-40/15-20/1. The process is particularly useful for dechlorinating polychlorinated biphenyl found in electrical transformer oil.

Abstract: A process for selective separation of strontium-82 and strontium-85 from proton irradiated molybdenum targets comprises dissolving the molybdenum target in a hydrogen peroxide solution to form a first solution containing ions selected from a group consisting of molybdenum, niobium, technetium, selenium, vanadium, arsenic, germanium, zirconium, rubidium, zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, strontium, and yttrium; passing the solution through a first cationic resin whereby ions selected from a group consisting of zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, strontium, yttrium a portion of zirconium and a portion of rubidium are selectively absorbed by the first resin; contacting the first resin with an acid solution to strip and remove the absorbed ions from the first cationic exchange resin to form a second solution; evaporating the second solution for a time sufficient to remove substantially all of the acid and water from the solution whereby a residue remains; dissolving the residue i

Abstract: The aqueous alkali chloride solution is coarsely purified first. In the succeeding fine purifier the solution, which contains calcium ions, magnesium ions and undissolved magnesium compounds, is passed through a plurality of purification stages (ion exchange stages), which contain cation exchange granulate. In the fine purifier the solution having a pH value of about 10 to 11 is passed through a first ion exchange stage and the solution coming from the first ion exchange is acidified to decrease its pH value by at least 0.5. The solution is subsequently passed through at least one second ion exchange stage and a solution which is virtually free of undissolved magnesium compounds is withdrawn from the fine purification means. The acidified solution fed to the second ion exchange stage has preferably a pH value of 5 to 10.

Abstract: A process of separating transuranium actinide values from uranium values present in spent nuclear oxide fuels which contain rare earth and noble metal fission products. The oxide fuel is reduced with Ca metal in the presence of CaCl.sub.2 and a Cu--Mg alloy containing not less than about 25% by weight Mg at a temperature in the range of from about 750.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. to precipitate uranium metal and some of the noble metal fission products leaving the Cu--Mg alloy having transuranium actinide metals and rare earth fission product metals and some of the noble metal fission products dissolved therein. The CaCl.sub.2 having CaO and fission products of alkali metals and the alkali earth metals and iodine dissolved therein is separated and electrolytically treated with a carbon electrode to reduce the CaO to Ca metal while converting the carbon electrode to CO and CO.sub.2. The Ca metal and CaCl.sub.2 is recycled to reduce additional oxide fuel.

Abstract: A process of separating transuranium actinide values from uranium values present in spent nuclear oxide fuels which contain rare earth and noble metal fission products. The oxide fuel is reduced with Ca metal in the presence of CaCl.sub.2 and a U-Fe alloy containing not less than about 84% by weight uranium at a temperature in the range of from about 800.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. to produce additional uranium metal which dissolves in the U-Fe alloy raising the uranium concentration and having transuranium actinide metals and rare earth fission product metals and the noble metal fission products dissolved therein. The CaCl.sub.2 having CaO and fission products of alkali metals and the alkali earth metals and iodine dissolved therein is separated and electrolytically treated with a carbon electrode to reduce the CaO to Ca metal while converting the carbon electrode to CO and CO.sub.2. The Ca metal and CaCl.sub.2 is recycled to reduce additional oxide fuel.

Abstract: A process of separating transuranium actinide values from uranium values present in spent nuclear oxide fuels containing rare earth and noble metal fission products as well as other fission products is disclosed. The oxide fuel is reduced with Ca metal in the presence of Ca chloride and a U-Fe alloy which is liquid at about 800.degree. C. to dissolve uranium metal and the noble metal fission product metals and transuranium actinide metals and rare earth fission product metals leaving Ca chloride having CaO and fission products of alkali metals and the alkali earth metals and iodine dissolved therein. The Ca chloride and CaO and the fission products contained therein are separated from the U-Fe alloy and the metal values dissolved therein.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing alkaline earth metal-containing ceramic materials by sol-gel processing is described, wherein a sol containing alkoxides or other soluble precursors for a selected ceramic composition, and additionally containing one or more dissolved alkaline earth metal/crown either complexes, is gelled, dried and fired to convert the precursors and complexes to a polycrystalline ceramic product. The crown ether complexes improve alkaline earth metal solubility and the homogeneous incorporation of these metals into the precursor gels and final crystalline products.

Abstract: Fermentors, reactors and processes for preparing magnesium enriched calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) (Mg:Ca mole ratios of 1:1 to 20:1) by reacting a dolomitic lime product with a Mg:Ca mole ratio less than one with dilute acetic acid, such as in fermentation broths. A process to prepare a mildly aklaline mineral product by calcining the dolomite under conditions to convert only the MgCO.sub.3 to MgO and treating the selectively calcined dolomite with acidic solutions to dissolve largely the MgO, leaving the original CaCO.sub.3 matrix intact. The mildly alkaline mineral product includes a highly porous structure derived from dolomite, consisting of a matrix of CaCO.sub.3 with smaller amounts of MgO and interspersed with a regular array of voids on a molecular scale.

Abstract: Process for production of magnesium chloride with sufficient purity for the production of magnesium metal, by leaching a magnesium containing raw material in hydrochloric acid. It is essential to keep the ratio between acid soluble iron and nickel greater than 120 and the ratio between acid soluble iron and phosphorus greater than 20 in the primary magnesium chloride solution, to obtain a sufficiently pure product. The acid soluble iron can partly or completely be substituted by an equal, molar amount of acid soluble aluminium. It is especially preferred to use mixtures of macro- and crypto-crystalline magnesites in the ratio 1:10-10:1 as raw material.

Abstract: A magnesium oxide in fine powder form, which can be used to manufacture high-density ceramics, has an MgO content greater than 95 wt. %, preferably greater than 98 wt. %, a particle size less than 15 .mu.m, and a BET specific surface area less than 20 m.sup.2 /g. The statistical mean of the particle shape factor of the primary particles lies between 1 and 1.5. The particles are coated with a hydrophobic, surface-active substance.

Abstract: A method for reducing impurity levels of calcium, magnesium and/or silicon in hexammine cobalt halide compounds involves the addition of ferric ions and, optionally, soluble fluorides to an aqueous hexammine cobalt (III) chloride solution having a pH of at least 9. Insoluble compounds of magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, and/or ferric hydroxide and silicon coprecipitates are removed from the solution by filtration.

Abstract: The invention relates to production of superconductors, more particularly, LnM.sub.2.sup.II M.sub.3.sup.I O.sub.y compounds where y=6-8; Ln=Y, Sc or lanthanide; M.sup.II =Ba, Ca or Sr; M.sup.I =Cu, Cu+Ag or LnM.sub.2.sup.II M.sup.I O.sub.y-x F where x=1-2. It comprises local initiation of an exothermic reaction in a stoichiometric mixutre of source constituents chosen to provide for production of the afore-mentioned compounds. An exothermic mixture of corresponding constituents includes a non-combustible component and a combustible component comprising at least one metal from the group composed of a rare-earth metal of the periodic system chosen from scandium, yttrium and lanthanide, a metal of group II of the periodic system, a metal of group I of the periodic system or hydride of at least one of said metals.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pure magnesium oxide, especially suitable for the preparation of refractory products, from magnesium silicate and magnesium hydrosilicate materials such as olivine, serpentine, garnierite, or the like, the starting material being decomposed (digested) with hydrochloric acid, the residues being separated from the decomposition slurry and the sesquioxides to be regarded as contaminants and other contaminants being precipitated from the crude brine thus obtained by the addition of crude serpentine as a pH increasing substance, the precipitates being separated and the magnesium chloride solution thus obtained being subjected to thermal decomposition, particularly by spray calcination, whereby magnesium oxide is obtained and hydrogen chloride is recovered.

Abstract: Processes for the selective leaching of magnesium-containing solids, which contain calcium and/or heavy metals, and the selective precipitation and crystallization of the leached magnesium are provided. The leaching is conducted with aqueous sulphur dioxide at elevated temperatures with feed pulp densities which are sufficiently high to produce a leach liquor which is substantially saturated with magnesium. The selective crystallization and precipitation processes which preferably follow the selective leaching process, utilize controlled cooling, heating and pH conditions to yield a high purity magnesium sulphite product.

Abstract: A lightweight magnesia clinker containing magnesium oxide in an amount of more than 85 wt. % and having an apparent porosity of more than 40 vol. % and a bulk specific gravity of less than 2.0 g/cm.sup.3 is disclosed. In the lightweight magnesia clinker, the amount of magnesia clinker particles having a particle diameter of smaller than 3 mm is more than 90 wt. % of the amount of all magnesia clinker particles, and the amount of pores formed in the magnesia clicker particles having a pore size of smaller than 50 .mu.m is more than 90 vol. % of the amount of all pores. A process for the preparation of said lightweight magnesia clinker is also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastic bar member is coupled to an orbiting mass oscillator and the entire assembly is suspended from a cable or the like such that the bar member has freedom of lateral motion and is nakedly immersed in a slurry having particulate material contained therein such as a mineral ore reject from which metal has been extracted. The rotor of the orbiting mass oscillator is driven at a speed such as to generate cycloidal sonic energy in the bar preferably at a frequency such as to set up resonant standing wave vibration of the bar in a cycloidal quadrature pattern. The cycloidal vibrational energy tends to set the surrounding fluid material into a whirling rotation or rotary traveling wave which facilitates the agglomeration or coagulation of the particles in the material and enhances the settling operation to make for more complete separation of the particles from the liquid.

Abstract: A stabilized, pressure-hydrated magnesium hydroxide slurry and a process for its production from burnt magnesite are described. According to an embodiment of the invention, a mixture comprising burnt natural magnesite and water is pressure hydrated to provide a pressure hydrated slurry. The pressure hydrated slurry is then deagglomerated. If desired, chloride ions and cationic polymer can be added to further stabilize the slurry.