Abstract: A method is presented for recovering mercury from mercury-containing liquids in which the liquids are contacted with particles of metallic silver. The method produces highly purified liquids which may be employed in applications having a low mercury tolerance such as the production of food or drug products.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for recovering non-ferrous metals such as zinc or copper from their concentrates, ores or any other metal containing materials into a solution containing these non-ferrous metals as sulphates and a minimal amount of dissolved iron. The resultant solution is suited without or with minimum pre-purification treatment for conventional electrowinning processes to recover such non-ferrous metals with less difficulties than the previous methods involving complex iron-removal processing. There is disclosed a method for recovering at least one non-ferrous metal soluble in sulphuric acid from a strong sulphuric acid solution containing said metal and iron as sulphates, said method comprising the following consecutive steps:subjecting said solution in a sub-divided form to thermal decomposition in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of from 600.degree. to 750.degree. C.

Abstract: Clusters or galaxies of noble metal silver-precipitating nuclei for use in silver diffusion transfer processes are formed by reducing a noble metal salt or complex to form a colloid of noble metal nuclei and inducing instability to said colloid, whereby said galaxies are formed.

Abstract: A process for forming a metal chloride of a metal or its compound comprising forming a liquid fused salt bath mixture of at least two metal chlorides with one of the chlorides being selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, cupric chloride and cuprous chloride, and introducing the metal or compound into the liquid fused salt bath in the presence of a chlorine source to form the metal chloride and elemental sulfur, and recovering the formed chloride from the liquid fused salt bath mixture. Chlorine gas or sulfur chloride may be introduced into the bath as an additional source of chlorine for reaction with the metal and for the generation of a portion of the ferrous chloride or cuprous chloride into ferric chloride or cupric chloride.

Abstract: A process for the removal of heavy metals uranium and transition metals other than noble transition metals from solution by contacting the solution with the product obtained by reacting an inorganic solid eg. silica gel containing surface hydroxyl groups with a silicon compound of defined formula containing a free thiol group or a free amino group and either an --OR group or a halogen atom under conditions which effect reaction between the hydroxyl group and the --OR group or halogen atom thereby bonding the silicon compound to the inorganic solid.

Abstract: Solvent-extraction processes to recover metal values are improved by use as a component of the solvent-extractant of didodecylnaphthalene sulfonic acid. Especially important applications for the improved solvent-extractant which can include a .alpha.-hydroxy oxime are in the separation recovery of copper, nickel, zinc and cobalt and the selective separation of these metals, one from the other, and from iron, in acidic aqueous media.

Abstract: Process for removing chlorine from an acidic zinc or cadmium sulphate solon, comprising adding thereto acid of Caro or an ammonium or alkali metal salt thereof.

Abstract: A process for winning copper and zinc from brass mill waste products containing oxidic copper and zinc, iron, nickel, or cobalt. The feed material is leached in sulfuric acid, neutralized to a pH between about 2.5 and 3.0, and treated with zinc metal to precipitate copper. After separation of the copper product, residual copper as well as iron and cobalt are removed in a second, oxygen-free, cementation on zinc metal. The liquor is then raised to about pH 4.0 or greater and flushed with oxygen to precipitate iron. Lastly, the purified electrolyte is subjected to zinc electrowinning wherein acceptably pure zinc cathode is produced and sulfuric acid is regenerated.

Abstract: In a process for hydrocracking heavy polynuclear carbonaceous feedstocks to produce lighter hydrocarbon fuels by contacting the heavy feedstocks with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst, thereafter separating at least a substantial portion of the carbonaceous material associated with the reaction mixture from the spent molten metal halide and thereafter regenerating the metal halide catalyst, an improvement comprising contacting the spent molten metal halide catalyst after removal of a major portion of the carbonaceous material therefrom with an additional quantity of hydrogen is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a metallic sulphate in a reaction zone from mixing of the corresponding metallic sulphide concentrates with ammonium sulphate and heating. Heating preferably includes directly contacting the mixture with products of combustion of a heating fuel at temperatures between about 150.degree. C and about 480.degree. C. The products of combustion may be diluted with a gas, and the metallic sulphate of the corresponding metallic sulphide may be initially mixed with the mixture to inhibit the development of semi-fluid conditions in the reaction of the metallic sulphide concentrates with ammonium sulphate.

Abstract: In a process for hydrocracking heavy carbonaceous materials by contacting such carbonaceous materials with hydrogen in the presence of a molten metal halide catalyst to produce hydrocarbons having lower molecular weights and thereafter recovering the hydrocarbons so produced from the molten metal halide, an improvement comprising injecting into the spent molten metal halide, a liquid low-boiling hydrocarbon stream is disclosed.

Abstract: The mercury content of electrolysis cell brine sludge is reduced by sequentially: (1) acidifying the sludge to a pH below 2.5 and (2) leaching the sludge with aqueous hypochlorite solvent. The mercury content removed from the sludge may optionally be isolated from the solvent and reused as mercury cathode for brine electrolysis.

Abstract: An extraction agent composition comprising in addition to one or more conventional extraction agents at least one agent, preferably a strong organic acid, affecting the phase interface tension for diminishing the drop size of the dispersed phase and for accelerating the conversion of the material from one phase to another for the separation of nickel (II) and cobalt (II) from each other from aqueous solutions containing both nickel and cobalt. By using said composition the separation can occur regardless of the type of counter-ion, i.e. said separation can take place from sulphate, nitrate and chloride solutions. Basing the separation on a high chloride content or on the necessity of oxidizing the cobalt being present into a trivalent state has been avoided by the addition of a small amount of strong organic acid.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction method and apparatus using an elongated extraction column arranged at an angle to the horizontal. The column is divided by means of partitions into a plurality of compartments which are in communication by apertures in such partitions. Each end of the extraction column has an inlet and an outlet, which can preferably be arranged concentrically, for the introduction and discharge of two immiscible liquids of differing densities, the less dense liquid being introduced into the lower inlet and discharged through the upper outlet and vice versa for the more dense liquid. The column during extraction is rotated either about its own axis or a spaced parallel axis. The extracting liquid can be circulated for back-extraction through a similarly arranged column containing a third liquid immiscible with the extraction liquid and of differing density.

Abstract: Anion exchange resins containing borohydride counter ions display essentially the same chemical activity as solutions of sodium borohydride but have the added advantage that products treated therewith are not contaminated with sodium ions or borate ions. Thus, alcohols can now be freed of carbonyl components without thereby being contaminated with borate; metal ions, such as silver, can be reduced to the free element; metal ions of groups IV-A to VI-A can be converted to volatile metal hydrides; and transition metal ions can be converted to the boride. The anion exchange resin is prepared by treating a strong base anion exchanger with aqueous sodium borohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride. Regeneration of the borohydride form from the borate proceeds directly with aqueous sodium borohydride.

Abstract: Alkali metal chlorites are produced by the reaction of chlorine dioxide with an alkali metal amalgam in a reaction mixture where the pH is maintained at from about 9.5 to about 11.5 by providing an excess of the alkali metal to the chlorine dioxide of at least 10 mole percent.Alkali metal chlorites obtained by this process are free of insoluble mercury and have reduced concentrations of soluble mercury as a contaminant.

Abstract: Finely-divided metal oxides are prepared by the steps of (a) contacting a compound of a metal with a carbohydrate material to obtain an intimate mixture thereof, (b) igniting this mixture to oxidize the same and to insure conversion of substantially all of said metal compound to a fragile agglomerate of its metal oxide, and (c) pulverizing the product of step (b) to form a finely-divided metal oxide powder having a mean particle size below about 1.0 micron. Certain of the finely-divided metal oxide powders produced by this process have the useful property of sinterability at temperatures significantly lower than metal oxide powders heretofore readily available. The powders are useful in the preparation of high strength compacted shapes for use in high temperature and/or corrosive environment, in the preparation of refractory cements, catalysts, catalysts supports and the like.

Abstract: In this process metal ions such as Ag.sup.+, Pb.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+, Cu.sup. 2+, Fe.sup.3+, etc., are extracted through a porous membrane impregnated with the first extractant containing chelating agents. The membrane contacts with an extraction feed on one side, and with the second extractant on the other side, and the objective metal ions are transferred from the feed to the second extractant. Throughout the extraction process, the pH values of the extraction feed, the impregnated extractant solution, and the second extractant are kept in decreasing order.An apparatus used for the above objective is also provided by this invention.

Abstract: The metal value separation efficiencies of aliphatic .alpha.-hydroxy oximes in solvent-extraction processes are enhanced by the addition to the solvent-extractant of an alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid having a molecular weight of at least about 400, the mole % of the sulfonic acid in the combined sulfonic acid and hydroxy oxime being in the range of 10 to 80. Especially important applications for the improved solvent-extractant are in the separation and recovery of copper from iron, nickel from iron, nickel from cobalt, copper from cobalt, copper from nickel, copper from zinc, zinc from nickel, nickel from zinc, zinc from iron and cobalt from zinc in acidic aqueous media.

Abstract: An improvement in conventional processes for recovering metal values from sulfide ores containing lead, zinc and silver sulfides in which process the metal sulfides are converted to chlorides by chlorination followed by solubilization of the chlorides with a sodium chloride leach and subsequent recovery of the metals from their chlorides in accordance with a conventional flow sheet including crystallization, cementation, precipitation, fused salt electrolysis, etc., with chlorine being recovered for reuse by electrolysis of the sodium chloride leach solution substantially depleted of lead, silver and zinc, the improvement being a pollution-free process which comprises:1. recycling the sodium chloride solution depleted of a major percentage of lead and silver to the sodium chloride or brine leaching step; and2.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for the preparation of CdSSe by the reaction in an aqueous medium of CdCO.sub.3 with a soluble metal sulfide and selenium to form a raw cake which is subsequently calcined to form the desired product. During calcination, an inert gas is allowed to flow over the raw cake thereby forming a CdSSe pigment with improved electrical properties for use in electrostatographic copying.

Abstract: Quinoline-2-carboxylic acids having in the 4-position a halogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group attached through an oxygen atom, optionally substituted by a hydrocarbyl group in the 3 position and optionally substituted in any of the 5, 6, 7 and 8 positions by halogen atoms, nitro or cyano groups, or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl groups each attained directly or through an oxygen atom, and containing in the substituents in the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 positions a total of at least 3 carbon atoms form complexes with metals, especially copper. These complexes may be extracted by organic solvents from aqueous solutions of metal salts treated with the quinoline-2-carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A compound having the general formula ##SPC1##In which R.sup.1 , R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and represent hydrogen, a straight or branched chain alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkyl radical having 7 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted by one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or may be of the type: ##SPC2##Wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and each R represents the others of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.