Abstract: A method for cooling furnace electrodes using a cooling liquid containing surfactants. This method can be applied to electrodes used in electric arc furnaces and ladle metallurgy furnaces. The method can involve spraying the cooling liquid onto the electrode, thereby lowering the temperature of the electrode and reducing electrode consumption.

Abstract: A process of treating a solid material containing lead and elemental sulphur, by feeding the solid material to a furnace containing a bath of molten slag under conditions such that elemental sulphur burns in the furnace to form sulphur dioxide and lead in the solid material is oxidized and reports to the slag, then removing a gas stream containing sulphur dioxide from the furnace, and finally removing a lead-containing slag from the furnace.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for recovering target metals from scrap. In some embodiments, the methods comprise dissolving a portion of a mixed metal scrap into a molten salt to form a molten salt and metal mixture, the scrap including a target metal species and at least one contaminant metal species; bubbling a gas through the molten salt and metal mixture to form a gas and metal vapor mixture comprising target metal vapors; and condensing at least a portion of the target metal vapors.

Abstract: A method for reducing oxidic slags and dusts possibly loaded with organics uses an inductively heatable coke bed extending in the axial direction and having a temperature gradient. Reaction gas is sucked off in an axial region of the coke bed between two induction bodies and metal regulus and slag melt are tapped on the lower end. An inductively heatable shaft furnace chargeable with a lumpy coke bed for the reduction of metallic slags is made of an electrically insulating refractory material, has an adjustable temperature gradient includes at least one cooled induction body on the head side, a suction connection in an axial region where the prevailing temperature exceeds the condensation point of the substances to be removed, located below the cooled induction body on the head side, and an opening for tapping metal regulus and slag melt is provided on the lower end of the furnace.

Abstract: A system and associated process are provided for recovering cadmium telluride (CdTe) that has plated onto components, such as components used in the manufacture of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The system includes a vacuum oven configured for maintaining a vacuum and being heated to a temperature effective for sublimating CdTe off of components placed within the oven. A collection member is disposed so that sublimated CdTe generated in the oven diffuses to the collection member. The collection member is maintained at a temperature effective for causing the sublimated CdTe to plate thereon. The collection member is subsequently processed to collect the plated CdTe.

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 relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of: —subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and —extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorising Zn and Pb; characterised in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ MgO ] 3 > 3.5 ; 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.

Abstract: This is a process of trapping natural occurring volatile gases carrying precious and other minerals in a semi-stable form. Gases trapped and carried through a container 318 apparatus to the catalytic reactor container 410 where volatile minerals are contained on an appropriate configuration of collecting media 434. A positive electrode 460 from a electrical source 430 is wrapped on the catalytic reactor container 410 in a appropriate configuration to induce a electromagnetic field. The positive electrode 460 from the catalytic reactor container is controlled by a rheostat 470. From the rheostat 470 to the electrical device causing the current draw 425. When the rheostat 470 is energized on the catalytic reactor container 410, electromagnet fields of varying intensity controlled by the rheostat are formed. Precious metals can be re-volatilized either singularly or in groups and drawn into the recovery circuit. Leaving most of the volatile elements still in the collecting media 434.

Abstract: An ion source 2 has a heating furnace 4 for annealing a solid material 6 to generate a steam 8 and a plasma generator 16 for ionizing the steam 8 to generate a plasma 24. The ion source 2 is for generating ion beam. An indium trifluoride is used as said solid material which has been once heated at temperature in the range of 600° C. to lower than 1170° C., thereby enabling to generate the indium ion beam in a stable amount. For the solid material 6, In(OF)xF3−x (x is 1, 2 or 3) may be used.

Abstract: A process for producing purified cobalt from a mixture comprising metallic species of cobalt and metallic species of at least one of the group consisting of nickel and iron, comprising producing a metal carbonyl mixture of cobalt carbonyl and at least one of nickel carbonyl and iron carbonyl from the metallic species mixture; separating the nickel carbonyl and/or iron carbonyl from the cobalt carbonyl; treating the cobalt carbonyl with an effective amount of a complexing gaseous mixture of nitric oxide/carbon monoxide to produce cobalt nitrosyl tricarbonyl; and decomposing the purified cobalt nitrosyl carbonyl to provide purified cobalt and regenerated complexing gaseous mixture for recycle. The process provides cobalt of improved quality in an optionally, continuous and closed-loop manner. Preferred processes include either aqueous and/or gaseous process steps.

Abstract: A process for producing a high-purity Mn material comprising the steps of premelting crude Mn at 1250-1500° C. and vacuum distilling the melt at 1100-1500° C. The degree of vacuum during the vacuum distillation ranges from 5×10−6 torr to 10 torrs. A crucible for use in the vacuum distillation is a double crucible, which consists of inner and outer crucibles, and a carbon felt packed in the space therebetween. A high-purity Mn material for thin film deposition which contains a total of not more than 100 ppm impurity metallic elements, not more than 200 ppm oxygen, not more than 50 ppm nitrogen, not more than 50 ppm S, and not more than 100 ppm C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for reducing oxidic slags or combustion residues above a metal bath. The metal bath is formed of an iron alloy containing metals nobler than iron and whose redox potential is adjusted such FeO is reduced to Fe not at all or only partially.