Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing calcium carbonate from a calcium-containing alkaline slag material, the process containing the steps of extracting the alkaline slag material in a series of extraction steps, including at least 2 extraction steps, using extraction solvent(s) containing salt in an aqueous solution, whereby a calcium-containing filtrate and a residual slag is formed in each extraction step, separating the residual slag from the filtrate after each extraction step, carrying each residual slag to the following extraction in the series of extractions, to be used as raw material in said following extraction, and discarding the residual slag separated from the last extraction, carrying each filtrate to the previous extraction in the series of extractions, to be used as extraction solvent in said previous extraction, and carrying the first filtrate, separated from the first extraction step, to a carbonating step, carbonating calcium as calcium carbonate from the first filtrate

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for producing hydrogen fluoride which can suppress the occurrence of the pasty state over the whole process of producing hydrogen fluoride, reduce the problem of corrosion caused by sulfuric acid, and improve energy efficiency of the process. A method for producing hydrogen fluoride by reacting calcium fluoride and sulfuric acid comprises: (a) mixing and reacting calcium fluoride and sulfuric acid such that a mixture comprising calcium fluoride particles and sulfuric acid substantially maintains a form of particulate to obtain hydrogen fluoride while supplying sulfuric acid to the calcium fluoride particles at a flow rate of 0.002 to 1 mol/min relative to 1 mol of calcium fluoride to such an amount that a molar ratio of sulfuric acid/calcium fluoride is 0.9 to 1.1.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an anode material for a secondary battery includes following steps. A carbon-containing biomass material is provided. The carbon-containing biomass material is mixed with a solid-state nitrogen-containing precursor via a solid-phase mixing method to form a mixture. A sintering process is performed on the mixture to form a nitrogen-doped biomass carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing high-purity lithium carbonate and barium sulfate from discarded lithium secondary batteries, including: a first process for producing high-purity lithium phosphate from a discarded battery; and a second process for producing lithium sulfate from the lithium phosphate and producing lithium carbonate and barium sulfate from the lithium sulfate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing high-purity lithium carbonate from low-purity crude lithium carbonate.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal fluoride ceramic, comprising: providing a sedimented compound comprising metal fluoride particles having an average particle size lower than 30 nm and a solvent, partially drying the sedimented compound at a temperature lower than 65° C. until the partially dried compound comprises from 5 wt % to 45 wt % of the solvent, and sintering, for example in air, the partially dried and sedimented compound.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for purifying brine are provided including (1) providing an aqueous brine solution comprising one or more inorganic salts and one or more organic compounds and (2) conducting at least one unit operation for removing organic compounds from the brine solution to obtain a purified brine solution.

Abstract: Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which amine-based lixiviants are utilized in substoichiometric amounts to recover alkaline earths from raw or waste materials. The lixiviant can be regenerated and recycled for use in subsequent iterations of the process or returned to a reactor in a continuous process. Extraction of the alkaline earth from the raw material and precipitation of the extracted alkaline earth is performed in the same reactor and essentially simultaneously.

Abstract: This invention refers to a novel process for obtaining high purity magnesium hydroxide from a solid starting material containing magnesium in the form of, and/or combined with, carbonates, oxides and/or hydroxides, either natural or synthetic. The process comprises leaching the starting material to dissolve the magnesium; the solution is treated with alkali to precipitate the high purity magnesium hydroxide, and the remaining mother liquor is fed to a regeneration step of both the alkali used in the precipitation of high purity magnesium hydroxide, and the acid for leaching. The process of the invention is characterized by recycling reactants (acid and alkali) regenerated in the same process.

Abstract: A material with cationic exchanger properties is introduced into aqueous media, where the equilibriums of carbon dioxide dissolution take place. A cationic exchanger material x/nM+nEx? is used to capture hydronium cations (H3O+) according to: x/nM+nEx?(s)+xH3O+(aq)=xH3O+Ex?(s)+x/nM+n(aq) where “x” stands for molar amount of the anionic centers of charge of the cationic exchanger material Ex? balanced by x/n molar amount of metal M, “n” stands for the metal valence, and M is selected from the group consisting of 1A and/or 2A of the periodic table of elements. This capture of the hydronium cations, H3O+, shifts certain reaction equilibriums to the right, according to Le Chatelier's principle, producing more bicarbonate, HCO3?, and/or carbonate, CO3=, than would otherwise be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an economic process for preparing surface-reacted calcium carbonate. The present invention further relates to a surface-reacted calcium carbonate having an increased specific BET surface area, and the use of a process for adjusting the specific BET surface area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carbon dioxide sequestration, including processes in which group-2 silicates are used to remove carbon dioxide from waste streams to form corresponding group-2 carbonates and silica.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an economic process for preparing surface-reacted calcium carbonate. The present invention further relates to a surface-reacted calcium carbonate having an increased specific BET surface area, and the use of a process for adjusting the specific BET surface area.

Abstract: Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of alkaline earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated and recycled for use in subsequent iterations of the process. Multiple alkaline earth elements can be recovered from a sample in parallel or in serial applications of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Kainite mixed salt is treated with water to obtain solid schoenite and a schoenite end liquor. The latter is desulphated using recycled CaCl2 and thereafter evaporated to obtain camallite crystals, from which KCl is recovered, and a liquor rich in MgCl2. Gypsum produced during desulphatation is reacted with aqueous ammonia and CO2 to produce ammonium sulphate and calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate is calcined to obtained CaO and CO2. The CaO is slaked and reacted with the MgCl2-rich liquor generated above to produce slurry of Mg(OH)2 in aqueous CaCl2. To this surface modifying agent is added while hot and, after cooling, the slurry yields surface modified Mg(OH)2. The filtrate rich in CaCl2 is recycled for desulphatation process above. The solid surface modified Mg(OH)2 may he calcined to produced MgO. The schoenite and KCl are reacted to produce solid sulphate of potash.

Abstract: Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of alkaline earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated and recycled for use in subsequent iterations of the process. Multiple alkaline earth elements can be recovered from a sample in parallel or in serial applications of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: It is possible to produce battery grade metallic lithium from naturally occurring or industrial brine by a process comprising the following steps: (i) precipitating magnesium with calcium hydroxide; (ii) removal of boron via extraction of solvents; (iii) precipitation of lithium with sodium carbonate; (iv) transformation of lithium carbonate to bicarbonate of lithium with carbonic acid; (v) decomposition of bicarbonate of lithium into high purity lithium carbonate as a result of heating of the solution. Re-precipitation of lithium carbonate by the formation of bicarbonate of lithium allows for the removal of the majority of contaminants which co-purify with lithium carbonate and yield battery grade highly purified lithium carbonate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing highly pure lithium carbonate from brine. The method includes adding an adsorbent to the brine, from which the magnesium ions Mg2+ have been removed, to adsorb lithium ions Li+ to the adsorbent, followed by providing the adsorbent having the lithium ions Li+ adsorbed thereto to a strong acid solution to desorb the lithium ions Li+ from the adsorbent; enriching the strong acid solution in which the lithium ions Li+ are desorbed from the adsorbent; and obtaining lithium carbonate Li2CO3 through chemical reaction between the lithium ions Li+ in the enriched solution and a carbonate precursor.

Abstract: This invention refers to a novel process to obtain magnesium hydroxide and sodium sulfate from a solid raw material, which contains sodium and magnesium soluble salts, preferably in the form of sulfates, coming from a natural source or as a byproduct of an industrial process. The process consisting in the conditioning of the raw material to guarantee the correct concentrations of sodium and magnesium sulfates that is subjected to a salting-out crystallization when mixed with sodium sulfate obtaining sodium sulfate; the resulting solution is subjected to an alkali treatment to precipitate the magnesium hydroxide and the mother liquor is fed to a regeneration stage of the alkali used in the precipitation of the magnesium hydroxide as well in the sodium sulfate solution for the crystallization. The crystallization can be performed as a multistage process countercurrent to increase the purity of sodium sulfate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of separating group II nuclides from a radioactive waste lithium chloride salt and recovering renewable lithium chloride, comprising the steps of: injecting lithium oxide into a lithium chloride salt containing group II nuclides to convert the group II nuclides into thermally-stable oxide or oxychloride; and vaporizing and condensing the lithium chloride salt under a reduced pressure condition to separate the group II nuclides and recover recyclable lithium chloride. The method is advantageous in that group II nuclides existing in the form of chloride, which is not highly thermally-stable in a lithium chloride (LiCl) to salt and is not easily solidified, can be converted into oxides or oxychlorides, which is highly thermally-stable in the lithium chloride (LiCl) salt and is easily solidified, without producing impurities.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing strontium cerate (SrCeO3) nanoparticles is disclosed. Initially, ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate ((NH4)2Ce(NO3)6) and n-butanol (C4H10O) are reacted to synthesize cerium-n-butoxide (Ce(OBu)4). Next, the cerium-n-butoxide, strontium acetate (Sr(CH3COO)2), and stearic acid (C18H36O2) are reacted to form a homogenous product including the strontium cerate nanoparticles. Finally, the strontium cerate nanoparticles are isolated from the homogenous product.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a process of recovering nickel and cobalt, regenerating the main raw materials, said process including the steps of: granulometric separation; leaching; neutralization; MHP production in only one stage and the pressure crystallization of magnesium sulphite. The process proposes a way to recovery nickel and cobalt from laterite ores through the atmospheric and heap leaching with staged addition of ore—by size separation—and H2SO4, decreasing the nickel losses and simplifying the neutralization circuit and producing a more purified MHP. The present process route is employed for nickel extraction, including the one from high magnesium containing lateritic ores.

Abstract: A method of forming an abrasive article includes forming a mixture comprising a liquid carrier and a glass precursor material, wherein the glass precursor material comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of a hydrated metal compound, an organic silicate compound, or a combination thereof. The method further includes providing abrasive grains within the mixture, forming the mixture into a green ceramic body, and heating the green ceramic body to form a bonded abrasive article comprising the abrasive grains contained within a bond matrix, wherein the bond matrix comprises an amorphous phase formed from the glass precursor material.

Abstract: A method for producing basic magnesium sulfate granules, by heating a water-containing granular composition to a temperature of 50-250° C. to dryness. The granular composition has a water content of 10-60 wt. % and comprises fibrous basic magnesium sulfate particles, magnesium hydroxide in an amount of 5-300 weight parts per 100 weight parts of the fibrous basic magnesium sulfate particles, magnesium sulfate in an amount of 0.1-200 weight parts per 100 weight parts of a total amount of the fibrous basic magnesium sulfate particles and magnesium hydroxide. This method can give basic magnesium sulfate granules having a low bulk density and a high crushing strength.

Abstract: A process for sequestrating carbon emitted into the atmosphere in the form of CO2 comprises: a) a step for concentrating CO2 in the liquid phase; b) a step for electro-reduction in an aprotic medium to a compound in which the carbon changes to oxidation number +3 in the form of oxalic acid or formic acid; c) if appropriate, a step for re-extracting oxalic or formic acid in the aqueous phase; and d) a step for mineralization by reaction with a compound of an element M, resulting in a stable compound in which the atomic ratio C/M is about 2/1.

Abstract: A three-step process for the preparation of analytical grade sodium chloride from rock salt was developed.

Abstract: A method for preparing nanotubes by providing nanorods of a piezoelectric material having an asymmetric crystal structure and by further providing hydroxide ions to the nanorods to etch inner parts of the nanorods to form the nanotubes.

Abstract: Uses for a composition comprising a polymer derived from at least two monomers: acrylic-x and an alkylamine, wherein said polymer is modified to contain a functional group capable of scavenging one or more compositions containing one or more metals are disclosed. These polymers have many uses in various mediums, including wastewater systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for obtaining sylvinite and/or sylvite from sea water, sea bitterns and/or sea salts. The processes comprise reacting sea water, sea bitterns and/or sea salts with calcium hydroxide and/or calcium oxide.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide a method for recovering phosphate, comprising: obtaining an effluent or wastewater, etc. having calcium-sequestered phosphate; adding to the effluent or wastewater a calcium chelating or sequestration agent suitable to chelate or sequester Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate to facilitate release of phosphate from the calcium-sequestered phosphate; transferring, facilitated by said Ca++ ion capture and in the presence of sufficient concentrations of NH4+ and Mg2 ions, of the phosphate into struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate or MgNH4PO4.6H2O), or hydrated magnesium ammonium complex of phosphate; and recovering the struvite, or the formed hydrated magnesium ammonium complex. Preferably, the method further comprises acidification of the effluent or wastewater to facilitate release of Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate and chelation of sequestration of the Ca++ ions by the calcium chelating or sequestration agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing metals from waste, particularly electronic waste (or “e-waste”). The process generally includes the steps of dissolving at least some of the metals from the waste with nitric acid reagent and then causing at least some of the metals to precipitate as metal oxides and/or metal nitrates. NOx gases produced as by-product by the nitric acid dissolution of metallic components in the electronic waste are reused, in particular for generating permanganate when one of the metallic components comprises manganese.

Abstract: The process of the invention is an improvement over the existing process of producing salt of high purity from alum-treated brine disclosed recently in the prior art. More particularly, the invention rectifies the ratio of Ca2+ to Mg2+ from a value <1 to a value in the range of 2-3 desired by chlor-alkali and soda ash industries. The improved process involves the adjustment of pH of clarified brine with aqueous HCl so as to carry out salt crystallization at a pH of 6.5 instead of at the natural pH of 7. The pH adjustment reduces the Mg2+ impurity in salt while slightly raising the Ca2+ impurity in the salt and thereby achieving the desired ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a calcium carbonate product formed of small <100 ?m sized separate calcium carbonate particles. Calcium hydroxide is fed through a disintegration and spraying apparatus (14), operating on the principle of a pin mill, into a gas which contains carbon dioxide for precipitating calcium carbonate particles and which is inside a precipitation reactor (10). The temperature in the precipitation reactor is maintained at <65° C.

Abstract: A crystallizer system for forming solid crystals includes a vessel defining a cylindrical sidewall, a sparge device located at a bottom of the vessel, a plurality of impellers attached to a shaft, and a plurality of redistribution funnel assemblies vertically spaced apart. Each funnel assembly may be positioned underneath a respective impeller of the plurality of impellers. Each funnel assembly may include a funnel, a disc attached to the shaft such that the disc rotates with the impellers, and a channel extending radially inward from a location near the sidewall. The channel may be adapted to direct gas bubbles from the sidewall to a location near blade outer edges of the respective impeller A lower edge of the funnel and the disc may define a lower gap therebetween, such that solid particles falling from within the funnel are directed out of the lower gap when the disc is rotated.

Abstract: Non-cementitious CO2 sequestering compositions are provided. The compositions of the invention include a CO2 sequestering additive, e.g., a CO2 sequestering carbonate composition. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the non-cementitious CO2 sequestering compositions.

Abstract: This invention refers to a novel process to obtain magnesium hydroxide and sodium sulfate from a solid raw material, which contains sodium and magnesium soluble salts, preferably in the form of sulfates, coming from a natural source or as a byproduct of an industrial process. The process consisting in the conditioning of the raw material to guarantee the correct concentrations of sodium and magnesium sulfates that is subjected to a salting-out crystallization when mixed with sodium sulfate obtaining sodium sulfate; the resulting solution is subjected to an alkali treatment to precipitate the magnesium hydroxide and the mother liquor is fed to a regeneration stage of the alkali used in the precipitation of the magnesium hydroxide as well in the sodium sulfate solution for the crystallization. The crystallization can be performed as a multistage process countercurrent to increase the purity of sodium sulfate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processes for the production of relatively high purity alkaline earth metal oxides, such as SrO, from relatively low purity forms of carbonated or other oxygenated forms of such metals, such as strontium carbonate. The relatively low purity material is exposed to conditions under which at least a portion of the metal contained therein is converted to a salt that is more readily solvated in a provided solvent than the starting material, while at the same time not substantially increasing the solubility of at least one or more of the impurities in such selected solvent. This step is then preferably followed by removal of solid or otherwise un-dissolved impurities from the solution. After the removal step, the solution is preferably exposed to conditions effective to form a relatively insoluble salt of the alkaline earth metal, such as a strontium salt. The insoluble salt is also preferably one that can be readily and effectively converted to the desired alkaline earth metal oxide, preferably SrO.

Abstract: Use of hydrophobins as auxiliaries in the crystallization of solids, in particular the use for producing gypsum from an aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a combination of a polymeric chelant and coagulant to treat metal containing wastewater. More particularly, the invention is directed at removing copper from CMP wastewater. The composition includes a combination of (a) a polymeric chelant derived from a polyamine selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetraamine (TETA), tertraethylenepentaamine (TEPA), poly[vinylamine], and branched or linear poly[ethylenimine] (PEI); and (b) a water soluble or dispersible copolymer of a tannin and a cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate quaternary salt of dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide, and diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: Method for industrial manufacture of pure MgCO3 comprising providing an olivine containing species of rock, to comminute the olivine containing species of rock to increase its surface, to contact the comminuted olivine containing species of rock with water and CO2. The process is conducted in at least two steps, namely a first step (R1) at a first pH where a dissolving reacting as represented the equation: Mg2SiO4(S)+4H+=2Mg2++SiO2(aq)+2H2O, takes place. Then a precipitation takes place in the second step (R2) at a higher pH as represented by the equations: Mg2++HCO3?=MgCO3(S)+H+, and Mg2++CO32?=MgCO3(S), the presence of HCO3? and H+ ions mainly provided by the reaction between CO2 and water.

Abstract: A continuous process for purification of brine contaminated with alkaline earth metals. The process comprises combining the brine with an aqueous solution containing at least one of an alkali metal hydroxide and an alkali metal carbonate with efficient mixing by a micro-mixing device.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for treating seven types of saline waters each having a concentration of total dissolved solids exceeding 1 g/L, wherein the concentration of total dissolved solids, the ratio of the chloride ion concentration to the bicarbonate ion concentration and the ratio of the chloride ion concentration to the sulphate ion concentration of each of the water types are as indicated in Table 1. The process includes the steps of contacting the water with a first reagent comprising a source of calcium ions selected from calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide to form a first solid product which is recovered. The process includes a further step of subjecting at least a portion of the partially processed water to at least partial evaporation so as to promote the formation of a precipitate and a mother liquor. The precipitate is recovered as a second product.

Abstract: A method for the production of Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles, by means of polyol-mediated synthesis, from an Mg precursor as well as a base. The particles produced with this method have a diameter between 10 nm to 300 nm, have a mono-disperse particle distribution, and are present in non-agglomerated form. They can be converted to MgO particles by means of calcination.

Abstract: Method for industrial manufacture of pure MgCO3 comprising providing an olivine containing species of rock, to comminute the olivine containing species of rock to increase its surface, to contact the comminuted olivine containing species of rock with water and CO2. The process is conducted in at least two steps, namely a first step (R1) at a first pH where a dissolving reacting as represented by the equation: Mg2SiO4(S)+4H+=2Mg2++SiO2(aq)+2H2O, takes place. Then a precipitation takes place in the second step (R2) at a higher pH as represented by the equations: Mg2++HCO3?=MgCO3(S)+H+, and Mg2++CO32?=MgCO3(S), the presence of HCO3? and H+ ions mainly provided by the reaction between CO2 and water.

Abstract: A method is shown for controlling the presence of soluble sulfate ions in a lime slaking operation in which a source of quicklime is combined with slaking water to form calcium hydroxide product. A complexing agent is added to either the quicklime or the slaking water which is effective to tie up the soluble sulfate ions otherwise available in solution, whereby the agglomeration of calcium hydroxide product is acceptably controlled.

Abstract: A method of treating solid containing material derived from effluent or sludge from a plant for deinking paper, the material containing calcium in the form of one or more insoluble calcium compounds, the method including the steps of treating the material with an acid to cause dissolution of the calcium thereby forming a calcium ion-containing solution in which insoluble solids are suspended, separating the solution from the insoluble solids and incinerating the separated solids. The solution containing calcium ions may be treated by adding one or more reagents to form a calcium compound precipitate, eg calcium carbonate. The particulate solids produced following the incineration step and following the precipitate formation may be employed as pigments or fillers in paper making or paper coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthesis of nanoparticles, in particular to methods for producing nanoparticles with networks consisting of Z sulphate (Z=magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) or the binary mixtures thereof). The inventive method consists in synthesising the nanoparticles by crystal growth from an ion Z source and a sulphate ion source in a liquid phase mixture. The invention produces Z sulphate nanoparticles having a small diameter and uniformly dispersible in water or other solvents in a simple way. Co-ordinating solvents like glycerine, glycol ethylene and other polyethylene glycols, polyalcohols or dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) are used for the synthesis mixture.

Abstract: A black composite oxide particle includes a composite oxide having Fe, Mg and Al as metal components. The particle contains Fe, Mg and Al in amounts of 30 to 55 mass %, 1 to 10 mass %, and 1 to 10 mass %, respectively, and has an atomic ratio of Fe3+/Fe2+ of 0.8 to 10. Also described is a method for producing the black composite oxide particle. In an embodiment, the particle includes a hydrated composite oxide represented by an empirical formula: Fe2+aFe3+bMgcAldOe·nH2O. The black composite oxide particle is suitable as a black pigment for a coating material, an ink, toner particles, a rubber and a plastic, and is reduced with respect to the load on the environment and excellent in blackness.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for producing a metal hydroxide, in particular magnesium hydroxide, from a salt solution, wherein the metal is firstly precipitated from the salt solution and the suspension produced in that way is then filtered. The object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus which permit simple inexpensive and rapid production of metal hydroxide, in particular magnesium hydroxide, in a high state of purity. According to the invention that is achieved in that the suspension is filtered through at least one filter (13-17) of a cross-flow filtration installation (13-17), and that a permeate produced by filtration of the suspension is fed to the cross-flow filtration installation (14-17) again.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing nano-powders and powders of nano-particle loose aggregate, which includes: (a) providing at least two reactant solutions A and B capable of rapidly reacting to form deposits; (b) supplying the at least two reactant solutions A and B at least at the reaction temperature into a mixing and reaction precipitator respectively, in which mixing reaction and precipitation are continuously carried out in sequence, the mixing and reaction precipitator being selected from at least one of a tubular ejection mixing reactor, a tubular static mixing reactor and an atomization mixing reactor; and (c) treating the deposit-containing slurry continuously discharged from the mixing reaction precipitator.