Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of transition and post-transition metals the halides and pseudohalides of which are hyperlinearly soluble in excess halide or pseudohalide, and especially of silver as halide or pseudohalide from waste photographic paper, photographic film, and other sensitized materials.

Abstract: A method for thermally decomposing manganese nitrate in an aqueous solution containing alkali and/or alkaline earth nitrates including splashing said aqueous solution containing manganese nitrate to form droplets or sheets of solution, heating said droplets or sheets of solution to partially decompose each droplet or sheet of solution to form manganese dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, and reuniting said droplets or sheets of solution containing manganese dioxide with said aqueous solution containing manganese nitrate; and/or spraying said aqueous solution containing manganese nitrate to form droplets of solution, heating said droplets of solution to fully decompose each droplet to form nonstoichiometric manganese dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and recovering said nonstoichiometric manganese dioxide.

Abstract: A multi-step process for recovering metal values from lead smelter matte. The matte is mixed with sulfuric acid and manganese oxide and leaching is effected at atmospheric pressure to form an aqueous solution including dissolved metal sulfates and a residue containing sulfur and lead sulfate. The sulfur is removable by conventional means and the lead sulfate may be returned to the smelter. The pH of the aqueous sulfate solution is adjusted to 3.5 to 4.5 to precipitate ferric iron and arsenic and pH is readjusted to about 3.0 to redissolve coprecipitated copper. After separation from the precipitate, the aqueous solution is mixed with a sulfiding agent, such as sodium sulfide at a pH of not more than 3 to selectively precipitate copper sulfide. After separating the copper sulfide, the aqueous solution is mixed with further sulfiding agent at a pH of 3 to 4.5 to form a cobalt-nickel sulfide precipitate in which the weight ratio of copper-nickel to sulfur is 1.8.

Abstract: A process for obtaining pure aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) from siliceous aluminum ore is disclosed. The aluminum ore is digested in a hydrochloric acid solution to obtain aluminum chloride, the aluminum chloride is crystallized as the hexahydrate, the aluminum chloride hexahydrate is purified and, subsequently, decomposed to give pure aluminum oxide and secondary products. The mother liquor of the crystallization step and the secondary products of the decomposition step are recycled.

Abstract: A silver recovery method and apparatus performing highly specific separation of silver from source material containing organic and inorganic materials, including transition metals, comprising the steps of digesting source material with nitric acid solution to form an acidic reaction mixture; thereafter adding increments of sodium or potassium cyanide solution to the separated liquid phase of the reaction mixture; discontinuing addition of cyanide solution when silver(I) cyanide precipitate ceases to form after incremental additions of cyanide solution; and separating silver(I) cyanide precipitate of high purity from the liquid phase of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Copper is recovered from dilute, ammoniacal, copper containing solutions by adding ferrous ions to the solution to precipitate metallic copper and iron oxides. The mixed precipitate is separated from the aqueous raffinate. The precipitated copper and iron oxides are separated from each other to enable the copper to be recovered.

Abstract: Silver is refined or recovered by dissolving the silver in the form of chloride in dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of additional chloride salts, separating any insoluble salts and the precipitating silver chloride by the addition of water or methanol to the solution.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of manganous chloride solutions using copper as a redox intermediate in the reaction between manganese and chlorine. Treatment of manganese-containing materials with a copper solution results in oxidation and dissolution of the manganese and the formation of elemental copper. The copper is in turn dissolved by reaction with cupric or ferric ions, which are then regenerated by chlorine oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming the crystals of a photographic silver halide emulsion which comprises crystallizing silver halide grains from a solution of a water-soluble complex of silver halide complexed with excess halide ions. The crystals may be sensitized before the binder is added.

Abstract: An electrosensitive recording sheet consists of an electroconductive material of cuprous iodide, an electrosensitive color forming material, a binder and a support. A color forms in the recording sheet in response to an electric signal when an electric current flows therein. The cuprous iodide is whitened by adding an alkaline substance thereto, so as to only slightly increase the resistance of the cuprous iodide and to increase the contrast of recorded mark and the ordinary appearance of the recording sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery of nickel from nickel-containing wastes, which comprises the steps of slurrying the waste with a nickel brine solution; reacting the slurry by addition of an oxidizing agent solution, followed by anhydrous hydrogen chloride to obtain a nickel chloride containing reaction mixture; and, filtering the reaction mix to obtain the nickel chloride solution.

Abstract: A process for recovering silver present in cuprous chloride solutions as a soluble silver chloride which comprises saturating the cuprous chloride solution with sodium chloride, subjecting the saturated solution to evaporation to co-crystallize the sodium chloride and silver chloride, separating the solid chlorides from the liquid, recovering silver from the sodium chloride-silver chloride crystals and reclaiming the sodium chloride, adding water to the liquid and cooling it to crystallize cuprous chloride. The procedure is adaptable to processes for recovering copper from its ores in which copper is reduced to cuprous chloride in a leach slurry followed by cooling the leach slurry to crystallize out the cuprous chloride from which copper is recovered by conventional techniques.

Abstract: A process for the selective extraction of copper chlorides from aqueous solutions by forming a solid addition compound of cuprous chloride with an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, separating and decomposing the addition compound and recovering solid cuprous chloride. The process can also be used for the separation of copper chlorides from silver-chloride. The process may be applied to the recovery of copper from hydrometallurgical process solutions.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for the separate recovery of non-ferrous, ferrous, and precious metal values and sulfur from metal sulfide ore concentrates by leaching of metal sulfides with a lixiviant containing ferric chloride, cupric chloride and chlorine, precipitating cuprous chloride from the leach solution with butadiene, separating and decomposing the formed addition compound to recover the cuprous chloride, oxidizing and hydrolyzing the cuprous chloride to precipitate cupric oxychloride, converting the cupric oxychloride to cupric oxide, and reducing the cupric oxide with hydrogen for the recovery of copper. The leach residue is treated for the recovery of elemental sulfur and gold. Brine solution resulting from the conversion of cupric oxychloride to cupric oxide is electrolyzed for the production of sodium hydroxide for the cupric oxychloride conversion, hydrogen for the cupric oxide reduction and chlorine, which is partly used in the recovery of gold and partly recycled to the concentrate leach.

Abstract: Nickel is selectively leached efficiently and rapidly from Ni-Cu-Fe-S matte under oxidizing conditions at ordinary pressure by controlling in combination the following variables: (1) the acid-to-copper mole ratio in the leaching solution, (2) the temperature, and (3) the sulfur content of the matte, whereby an enriched nickel solution is obtained low in copper and iron.

Abstract: A method and process for removal by precipitation of salts of a variety of metallic elements from aqueous solutions, including for example, copper, cadmium, chromium, zinc, nickel, lead, tin, platinum, rhodium and others with each of the metallic elements having multiple valent states. The process includes the establishment of a simultaneous oxidative-reductive cycle within the aqueous solutions, with the oxidative-reductive cycle normally being generated through the use of iodine, normally in the form of the iodide or iodate and phosphorous acid. In certain reactions, it is desirable that the pH be controlled and in such solutions, the phosphorous acid may be added in the form of a sodium salt of phosphorous acid. In the utilization of the multivalent materials, the least soluble salt generated during the oxidative-reductive cycle is removed.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for continuous electrowinning of copper bearing slurries, including an electrowinning cell wherein a slurry composed of a suitable electrolyte and a copper-bearing solid material, is subjected to the simultaneous reactions of dissolving the copper material and plating out elemental copper as a relatively pure copper product. The apparatus and process also includes means to purify the copper-bearing material before passage to the electrowinning cell so as to prevent contamination of the electrolyte in the cell and, also, a means to recover sulfur which is released during the electrowinning and unreacted copper material.

Abstract: New .beta.-diketones of the structure ##STR1## where R is phenyl or alkyl substituted phenyl, R' is alkyl, alkyl substituted phenyl or chloro substituted phenyl and R" is H or --CN with the provisos that; (1) when R is phenyl, R' is a branched chain alkyl group of at least seven carbon atoms and (2) when R is alkyl substituted phenyl, the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent or substituents is at least 7 and at least one such alkyl substituent is branched chain. Process of recovering copper and nickel from their aqueous solutions by the use of the new .beta.-diketones.

Abstract: A process for the re-utilization of the sulphate residues from the electrolytic treatment of zinc.The residues are digested hot with concentrated HCl in the presence of CaCl.sub.2. PbCl.sub.2 crystallizes on cooling. FeCl.sub.3 is extracted with TBP circulating in the direction of a series of columns and FeCl.sub.3 is extracted in a first column, washed in a second column and re-extracted a third column. The solution which issues is treated with NH.sub.3, resulting in precipitation of the majority of the hydroxides of the metals contained therein, which are subsequently separated, while Ag, Zn and Cu are complexed. Ag is precipitated with (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.NH.sub.3 is recovered by means of lime. CaCl.sub.2 is re-cycled to the start of the process and Cu and Zn are leached together with the mineral.Application of the process to the recovery of the metals contained in the residues from the digestion of blends.

Abstract: The ore is subjected to nitric acid leaching and the leach solution is heated to a temperature at which one of the additional sulfur and iron values is selectively insolubilized with respect to the solution, while the other is maintained in solution for subsequent separation from the liquor after the insolubles have been removed and the liquor has been neutralized. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention the heating and acid neutralization steps are controlled within certain prescribed limits to make it possible to remove the metals from the liquor by solvent extraction without the problem of lasting precipitates forming in the liquor and fouling the extraction process. Where there is a sizable amount of dissolved iron in the liquor, the liquor may be subjected to autoclaving at a temperature above about 149.degree. C (300.degree. F) to precipitate the iron as the oxide thereof. This effect is possible even where the liquor is high in sulfate concentration.

Abstract: Process for control of SO.sub.x emissions from copper smelter operations involving pyrometallurgical reduction of copper ores to elemental copper in which the gases from reverberatory furnaces, roasters, and/or converters are scrubbed with a sodium alkali sorbent to produce sodium sulfate and sulfite wastes. The cleaned flue gases are exhausted to the atmosphere. The waste sodium sulfate/sulfite material is then reacted with excess acid from the smelter acid plant and ferrous ion-rich barren solution from the associated cement copper operations to produce co-precipitated double salts of sodium ferric hydroxy-disulfates and/or sulfites (SFH), having low water solubility and being suitable for landfill type disposal without posing serious water pollution problems. This disposes of the sodium sulfite/sulfate waste materials from the air pollution control process and also strips the barren solution of iron prior to its recycle to heap or dump leaching operations.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating cuprous chloride from a solution comprising cuprous chloride and one or more of a number of metal impurities, the process comprising crystallizing the cuprous chloride from the solution in the presence of copper as cupric chloride in a concentration of at least about 20 grams per liter.

Abstract: An aqueous nitric acid solution derived from an adipic acid process containing copper and vanadium catalyst values and alkyl dicarboxylic acids is treated to remove the nitric acid and water therefrom so as to obtain a substantially dry, molten-type residue. This residue is mixed with a dialkyl ketone solvent which dissolves the dicarboxylic acids and leaves the catalyst metal values as solids.

Abstract: Silver is recovered from photographic waste liquids containing emulsified silver, silver compounds, and gelatin by reacting therewith a proteolytic enzyme while the reactants are maintained in an alkaline condition. Then the reactants are acidified to a pH of 4.2 or less by introducing an acid such as HCl or H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. Precipitation of gelatin-bound silver and silver compounds occurs upon acidification, and the precipitate is allowed to settle out in a settling tank. Supernatant liquid is removed from the top, neutralized and sent to sewer. Settled sludge is removed from the bottom and silver recovered, as by incineration. The operation can be conducted either batch-wise or continuously.

Abstract: The ore is subjected to nitric acid leaching and the leach solution is heated to a temperature at which one of the additional sulfur and iron values is selectively insolubilized with respect to the solution, while the other is maintained in solution for subsequent separation from the liquor after the insolubles have been removed and the liquor has been neutralized. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention the heating and acid neutralization steps are controlled within certain prescribed limits to make it possible to remove the metals from the liquor by solvent extraction without the problem of lasting precipitates forming in the liquor and fouling the extraction process. Where there is a sizable amount of dissolved iron in the liquor, the liquor may be subjected to autoclaving at a temperature above about 149.degree.C (300.degree.F) to precipitate the iron as the oxide thereof. This effect is possible even where the liquor is high in sulfate concentration.

Abstract: Uranium values are obtained from phosphate rock by acidifying phosphate rock containing uranium values and at least one other heavy metal with a mineral acid so as to obtain a crude acid, solvent extracting the crude acid with an organic solvent so as to separate a raffinate from a relatively pure, wet process phosphoric acid and treating said raffinate with a base so as to raise the pH to 1-2 whereby uranium hydroxide or phosphate and other heavy metal hydroxides or phosphates are coprecipitated. The uranium content of the coprecipitate after drying is at least as high as 0.3% which is comparable to that of uranium ores of the highest quality.

Abstract: A method is provided for leaching comminuted nickeliferous sulfide matte containing by weight about 20% to 75% nickel, about 5% to 50% copper, non-stoichiometric sulfur in the range of over 4% to about 20%, over 0.5% to about 15 or 20% iron, the sum of the nickel, copper and sulfur contents being at least about 80% of the matte composition, with the balance gangue or slag and incidental impurities.The matte, because of the iron content, is first granulated by quenching molten matte from a temperature at least about 10.degree.C above its solidus-liquidus temperature but below its boiling point, following which the matte is comminuted and subjected to atmospheric leaching to dissolve nickel selectively therefrom using a spent copper electrolyte solution containing sulfuric acid having a pH ranging up to about 2 while aerating said solution to cause the pH to rise to above 5 and effect substantial precipitation of copper and iron.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing highly concentrated salt solutions of metals of high purity from waste metal sludges at superior dissolution rates is achieved by preparing, concentrating and washing the sludge containing insoluble metal hydroxide under specific conditions to safeguard against the solids being exposed to air or dried out. The wet sludge is then dissolved in a dilute acid. The resultant solution can be used directly e.g. as make up in many electrolytic metal finishing processes to compensate for drag out losses occurred, or as the primary metal source in electrolytic processes employing insoluble anodes. Other specific uses for the process include the preparation of aluminum sulfate coagulants.

Abstract: Silver halide emulsion layers are formed by applying a water-soluble silver halide complex to a gelled substrate, and treating to decomplex to form silver halide crystals therein.