Abstract: A method of regenerating spent dehydrogenation catalyst is described. The spent catalyst is heated to a regeneration temperature sufficient to remove coke and adsorbed water, and exposed to a purge gas at a purge temperature sufficient to remove water vapor surrounding the regenerated catalyst, the purged catalyst being maintained at the purge temperature. A method of dehydrogenating a hydrocarbon stream using the method of regenerating spent zirconia catalyst is also described.

Abstract: A process for treating a feedstock is provided. The feedstock comprises a mineral and/or a metal oxide/silicate derived from or associated with a mineral. The process comprises treating the feedstock by reacting, in a reaction step, the mineral and/or the metal oxide/silicate derived from or associated with a mineral, with an ammonium acid fluoride having the generic formula NH4F.xHF, wherein 1<x?5. An ammonium fluorometallate compound is produced as a reaction product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alkaline-earth metal carbonate powder comprising a core consisting essentially of at least one alkaline-earth metal carbonate and a shell consisting essentially of at least one Group IV transition metal compound, to the method for manufacturing the same and to an improved method for preparing highly crystalline alkaline-earth metal containing mixed oxide powder. The highly crystalline mixed oxides obtained by means of the process according to the invention are used as starting material for high-performance dielectric, especially multi-layer capacitors, and for high performance dielectrics.

Abstract: An anatase-type titanium oxide powder having a ratio of rutile to anatase of 10% or less and a BET specific surface area of 20 to 80 m2/g. Since the titanium oxide powder has a large specific surface area and a low ratio of rutile to anatase in comparison with a conventional titanium oxide powder and excels in dispersibility, the titanium oxide powder is suitable for various applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus automates and accelerates the extraction and analysis of trace elements from biomass. The method and apparatus are especially useful at key segregation points in the food chain where speed and accuracy is necessary to separate agricultural cereals that are elevated in beneficial trace element content which provides higher value to the producer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for producing titanium dioxide, comprising: a) providing a quantity of liquid titanium tetrahalide for reacting with an oxygen-containing gas; b) vaporizing a first portion of the liquid titanium tetrahalide and reacting the titanium tetrahalide vapor and the oxygen-containing gas, in a first stage of a reaction zone, the reaction zone temperature ranging from at least about 650° C.—to form a reaction product at least containing titanium dioxide and oxygen-containing gas and passing the reaction product, more typically in the vapor phase, to at least one additional stage of the reaction zone; and c) charging at least one additional portion of the liquid titanium tetrahalide to the at least one additional stage of the reaction zone to cool the titanium dioxide and to react with the oxygen-containing gas to form additional titanium dioxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for removing trace levels of Group IVb contaminants from a Group IVb metal tetrahalide of and particularly to a process for removing zirconium tetrachloride from titanium tetrachloride. The improvement resides in contacting a titanium tetrachloride feedstock containing trace impurities of zirconium tetrachloride or hafnium tetrachloride with a sufficient amount of titanium hydride to convert any zirconium tetrachloride or hafnium tetrachloride to a lower volatile compound. The resultant mixture is distilled and the titanium tetrachloride separated from the lower volatile zirconium or hafnium compounds.

Abstract: The method for recovering a titanium compound according to the invention comprises bringing a waste solution containing a titanium alkoxide into contact with a halogenating agent to convert at least apart of the titanium alkoxide to a titanium halide and then distilling the solution containing the titanium halide to recover the titanium halide from the solution, or comprises distilling a waste solution containing a titanium alkoxide and a titanium halide to recover at least a part of the titanium halide from the waste solution, bringing a residue in distiller given after the distillation into contact with a halogenating agent to convert at least a part of the titanium alkoxide to a titanium halide, and distilling the solution containing the titanium halide to recover the titanium halide from the solution. According to the method of the invention, a larger amount of a titanium compound can be recovered from a waste solution containing a titanium alkoxide.

Abstract: Integral coupling of reaction with a single-bed rapid cycle pressure swing adsorber provides a hybrid device having improved performance characteristics including better separation and more efficient reactions. A single packed bed containing a mixture of catalyst and adsorbent is featured. Gaseous reactants are fed into the bed in a sequence including inflow, relax, and backflow, portions. The hybrid device, designated as a periodic separating reactor (PSR), enhances both the total conversion and selectivity of reactions. In an illustrative example with respect to CO oxidation, conversion 2.5 times that typically exhibited for the corresponding steady-state plug flow reactors was observed. The separation performance (selectivity) of the hybrid device/process can be enhanced, illustratively for irreversible reaction systems, up to 10.sup.4 times that possible in pressure swing adsorption processes without reaction.

Abstract: An improved halogenator process and system is provided which significantly and economically decreases the level of impurities in the processing of various refractory metals and their halides and particularly hafnium tetrachloride which is condensed from gases produced by the chlorination of Zircon.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of substantially pure zirconium values from zircon sand which also contains Ra, U, Hf, Pb and other metal values, comprising contacting zircon sand in a chlorinator with a chlorination medium to form an off-gas stream containing chlorides of Zr, Hf, Si, and tract U. The off-gas stream is passed to a condenser to remove volatile Si chlorides and thereby provide a product stream containing condensed chlorides of Zr, Hf and tract U, treating the product stream in acidic aqueous medium in a separation stage to separate the principal Hf values from the principal Zr values. Adjusting the pH of the resulting effluent to between about 3 to about 7 in a second stage to precipitate the trace U values. The residue stream is treated by(A) leaching with an acidic aqueous system to solubilize the trace Ra, Pb and other metal values while settling out the unreacted zircon sand and chlorination medium, and contacting the resultant leach liquor first with Ba++ ions and then with SO.sub.

Abstract: A process for extracting scandium from titanium ore includes the steps of: feeding the titanium ore to a fluidized bed chlorinator at about 1000.degree. C. to produce a vaporous (generally titanium and possible iron chlorides) phase and a scandium-containing residue; and recovering the scandium from the residue.In one practice, the scandium is recovered by leaching the residue with aqueous acid (e.g. HCl) to produce a scandium-containing aqueous solution, followed by contacting the aqueous solution with a polyalkyl phosphate-containing organic phase, the polyalkyl phosphate (e.g. tributyl phosphate) extracting scandium into the organic phase, followed by scandium precipitation by an ammonium addition to produce a scandium hydroxide precipitate and the scandium hydroxide is calcined, whereby scandium is recovered as an oxide. The residue generally also contains yttrium and lanthanides, and the yttrium and lanthanides can also be recovered from the residue as a part of the scandium recovery process.

Abstract: The process for preparing zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, tantalum, or niobium metal comprising providing in first vessel means a eutectic solution of a chloro, bromo or iodo salt of zirconium or hafnium in a molten thermal body of one or more alkali or alkaline earth metal halides at a non-vaporizing temperature, transferring said eutectic solution to second vessel means, maintaining said second vessel means at a temperature sufficient to vaporize said salt, transferring the salt vapor independently to a bank of separately fed reduction crucibles, the supply of said eutectic solution to said second vessel means being maintained such that said salt vapor can be supplied substantially continuously to said crucibles in a selective manner dependent upon the operating status of each crucible.

Abstract: A process for the production of zirconium tetrachloride from dissociated zircon in which gaseous chlorine is passed through pellets consisting of ground dissociated zircon, carbon and a binder at a temperature in the range of from 450.degree. to 800.degree. C. The zirconium tetrachloride produced contains less than about 0.22% by weight, calculated as SiO.sub.2, of silicon tetrachloride.

Abstract: In producing zirconia powder by desiliconizing heat treatment of a mixture of zircon powder and a powdery carbon-containing material, optionally with addition of a zirconia stabilizing oxide such as calcia or yttria, in a nonoxidizing atmosphere the conversion of silica into SiO and dissipation of gaseous SiO are promoted and completed by performing the heat treatment under reduced pressure, viz. at a pressure not higher than 0.6 atm. Zirconia powder of very high purity can surely be obtained, even when a large batch of the raw material mixture is treated, by performing the reduced pressure desiliconizing heat treatment in two stages: first at 1200.degree.-1550.degree. C. until almost complete conversion of silica to SiO and then at 1550.degree.-2000.degree. C. The mole ratio of C to SiO.sub.2 in the raw material mixture must be 0.4-2.0. For further enhancement of purity, zirconia powder obtained by the desiliconizing treatment may be subjected to oxidation heat treatment.

Abstract: A process for the production of high-purity zirconia from dissociated zircon or other zirconiferous material is disclosed. The process includes leaching of the zirconiferous material with concentrated sulphuric acid and continuously removing the water formed during leaching to maintain the concentration of sulphuric acid at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: A process for increasing the amount of titanium dioxide in a titaniferous slag includes the rapid preheating of the slag in gases substantially void of free oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the beneficiation of an iron-containing material is carried out by first chlorinating the iron-containing material. Oxidation of ferrous chloride in the effluent gas from the chlorination is carried out under controlled conditions of oxygen supply so that more than 50% but less than 100% of the ferrous chloride is oxidized. In this way chlorine gas is separated from the process stream in a relatively pure form which can be utilized in a continuous process by recycle to another chlorination.

Abstract: There is provided an improved process for chlorinating an iron-containing titaniferous ore, such as ilmenite which comprises dividing the ore charge into 2 parts. The first and major part is chlorinated with chlorine or with a mixture of chlorine and FeCl.sub.3 under fluidized bed conditions to yield principally TiCl.sub.4 and FeCl.sub.2. The FeCl.sub.2 is separated out and utilized as a chlorinating agent for the minor part of the ore in an entrained flow chlorinator to yield more TiCl.sub.4 and metallic iron as principal products. This process avoids the need for disposal of FeCl.sub.2 and retains the advantages of conventional chlorination procedures.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for making titanium dioxide concentrates from material containing titanium oxide and iron oxides. More particularly, the titanium oxide-containing material is calcined at temperatures of 870.degree. to 1300.degree. C., and then treated with a chlorine-containing gas at temperatures of 800.degree. to 1300.degree. C., if desired with addition of carbon.

Abstract: There is provided an improved process for the chlorination of particulate titaniferous ores using a particulate reactive carbon in a fluidized bed. The particulate reactive carbon is lignite char.

Abstract: A process for producing titanium tetrachloride in which iron-titanium ore is leached in hydrochloric acid to produce a solid phase comprising upgraded titanium-containing material, and a spent liquid phase. Dissolved metal chlorides in the spent liquid phase are regenerated to produce hydrochloric acid in an acid regeneration zone. The titanium-containing material is chlorinated to produce a product stream containing titanium tetrachloride and entrained solids, including metal chloride. The entrained solids are recovered from the product stream and the metal chloride portion thereof is recycled to the acid regeneration zone.

Abstract: An improved method of beneficiating ilmenite using two chlorinators in order to oxidize by-product iron chlorides to chlorine in the vapor phase and eliminate the necessity of separating the chlorine from combustion gas by cryogenic methods comprising using a first stage which produces beneficiated ore, and, inter alia, carbon dioxide, iron chlorides, predominantly ferrous chloride, which are condensed to gain the separation from CO.sub.2 ; solid iron chlorides are fed to an oxidation zone in the void above the second stage beneficiator and reacted with oxygen; heat required for vaporization of the condensed chlorides is supplied in part by beneficiation within the second stage. The fluidized bed overflow of the second stage beneficiator is magnetically separated to separate practically pure T.sub.1 O.sub.2, useful as a starting material for T.sub.1 O.sub.2 pigment and a recycle stream of magnetic partially beneficiated ore.

Abstract: A process for the selective removal of iron from a ferruginous ore which comprises feeding the dried heated ore into a countercurrent reactor comprising a sulphidizing zone, an intermediate zone and a chlorination zone, through which zones the ore moves in sequence and wherein(a) in the sulphidizing zone, a reductant is introduced and the iron values present in the ore react selectively with sulphur and/or volatile sulphur-containing compounds in the presence of the reductant to form iron sulphides;(b) in the intermediate zone, volatile ferric chloride formed in the chlorinating zone is introduced and reacts with the sulphidized ore to convert the iron sulphides into ferrous chloride and reform the sulphur and/or volatile sulphur containing compounds;(c) in the chlorination zone, chlorine is introduced and converts the ferrous chloride formed in the intermediate zone into volatile ferric chloride;(d) the volatile iron chlorides and the upgraded host oxide are separately removed from the chlorination zone; and

Abstract: A process for the chlorination of a material containing iron and titanium chemically combined with oxygen, comprising feeding the material to be chlorinated, in particulate solid form, into a reaction bed of solids containing ferrous chloride, and reacting it within that bed, at a temperature below the melting point of ferrous chloride, with a controlled amount of chlorine in the presence of sulphur in free or combined form, to produce solid ferrous chloride, titanium chloride, which is volatile at a temperature of operation, and sulphur dioxide, as the principal products of the process.

Abstract: Titanium trichloride which is obtained during one step of a process for recovering titanium metal values from a titanium bearing source which still contains some impurities such as iron and vanadium compounds may be purified by drying the titanium compound in an air atmosphere, further drying under a carbon monoxide atmosphere and thereafter roasting the dried compound in the presence of chlorine at an elevated temperature to separate the impurities from the desired titanium compounds.

Abstract: A process for removing silicon from a silicate-bearing material. The silicate-bearing material is analyzed for its silicon content and mixed with a controlled quantity of carbon as indicated by the analysis. The carbon is limited to an amount less than the stoichiometric amount necessary to react with the silicon to form silicon carbide. The silicate-bearing material/carbon mixture is formed into a first phase and interposed with a second phase containing additional carbon to form a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is subjected to a carbothermal reduction reaction to reduce silica in the silicate-bearing material to silicon monoxide. At the temperatures involved in the reaction, the silicon monoxide is in the gaseous phase and readily diffuses from the first phase into the second phase where the diffused silicon monoxide reacts with the additional carbon in the second phase to form silicon carbide.

Abstract: Process for dehalogenation of particulate compositions containing halide impurities including metallic oxides and metallic halides such as metallic fluorides to produce metallic oxides by contacting the compositions in a heated atmosphere containing vaporized alcohol. A second gas including inert gases and active dehalogenating gases can be mixed with the vaporized alcohol. A preferred practice has agitation of the particulate compositions containing halide impurities during the dehalogenation process. The metallic oxide produced by dehalogenation can be freed from any hydrocarbon residues where desired by a subsequent heating step in a reducing atmosphere. The halide ions from the dehalogenation can be recovered as an acid by passing the dehalogenation atmosphere through water. A preferred practice of this invention uses propyl alcohol as no hydrocarbon residues are found in the dehalogenated powder.

Abstract: A process is provided for separating zirconium and hafnium tetrachlorides by the direct distillation from their solution in an eutectic mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides. Hafnium tetrachloride and zirconium tetrachloride are provided in adequate purity for direct introduction into reduction units for the production of the respective metals by virtue of controlled ratios of the salt eutectic solvent to the hafnium and zirconium tetrachlorides and by provision of a reflux of hafnium with added increments of the eutectic solvent salt mixture.