Abstract: A continuous process for converting metal compound particles into a mixture of elemental metals. Metal compound particles and a reductant are introduced into an ultra-high temperature reaction zone having a temperature greater than 2,700° C. and an oxygen content less than 3 vol. %. The metal compound particles have particle sizes of d90 500 ?m. The metal compound particles have a residence time less than 1 minute in the ultra-high temperature reaction zone sufficient to mix with and react with the reductant to reduce the metal compound particles to form a mixture of elemental metals. The mixture of elemental metals is removed from the ultra-high temperature reaction zone. One or more elemental metals are separated or concentrated from the mixture of elemental metals within one or more separation zones based on differential size and density of the one or more elemental metals and the remaining mixture of elemental metals.

Abstract: A method of processing a metallic material includes introducing an electrically conductive metallic material comprising at least one of a metal and a metallic alloy into a furnace chamber maintained at a low pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. A first electron field having a first area of coverage is generated using at least a first ion plasma electron emitter, and the material within the furnace chamber is subjected to the first electron field to heat the material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the material. A second electron field having a second area of coverage smaller than the first area of coverage is generated using a second ion plasma electron emitter. At least one of any solid condensate within the furnace chamber, any solidified portions of the electrically conductive metallic material, and regions of a solidifying ingot to the second electron field, is subjected to the second electron field, using a steering system.

Abstract: An absorbent includes a ferromagnetic nucleus with a one-layer or two-layer shell or devoid thereof and the nucleus is embodied in the form of a plate with a planar size that ranges from 500-5000 ?m and the thickness is equal to 0.1-1000 ?m. The method for producing the inventive magnetically-operated absorbent includes evaporating and/or melting a magnetic material powder in a low-temperature plasma, quenching and condensing the thus obtained vaporized and/or melt-particle product in a gas flux, and transferring the product precipitated in the form of crystals or micro slugs of corresponding metals, correspondingly to a stabilizer-containing dispersion medium and holding in the medium until a gas release is over. Then the crystals or micro slugs are processed by flattening, for example pressing so that the plates of a specified thickness are obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of techniques for processing uranium containing feed materials such as uranium ores, reprocessed uranium, uranium containing residues and uranium containing spent fuel. The processes described involve fluorination of uranium containing material, separation of the uranium containing material from other materials based on ionization thereof with the non-ionized fluorine containing material being recycled. Metallic uranium and/or plutonium and/or fission products may result. The technique offers advantages in terms of the range of materials which can be reprocessed and a reduction in the number of complexity of stages which are involved in the process.

Abstract: In a process for the reduction of a metalliferous ore or concentrate the ore or concentrate is first prepared into a particulate form. A reaction chamber (3, 103, 203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702) is then charged with ore or concentrate, a reductant and an input gas. The reaction chamber (3, 103, 203, 301, 401, 503, 603, 702) is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation within a frequency range of 30 MHz to 300 GHz until a non-equilibrium plasma is initiated. The plasma is sustained and controlled with the radiation until the ore or concentrate is reduced to form reduction product.