Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a system to separate salt from uranium. The system has a vessel, a heater, a pump, and a condenser. The vessel is adapted to receive a uranium that has a salt concentration. The heater heats the uranium for a period of time, causing the salt to turn into a salt vapor and the uranium to melt. The melted uranium releases the salt vapor. The pump circulates an inert gas that carries the salt vapor away from the melted uranium. The condenser is adapted to receive the salt vapor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving a froth flotation type separation. The method uses a thickener to improve the effectiveness of an emulsifier. The improvement allows for low dosages of emulsifier to work well so the emulsifier does not cancel out the effectiveness of other additives in the slurry such as collectors, frothing agents, regulators, depressors, deactivators, and/or activators.

Abstract: Energy-saving lamps contain a gas filling of mercury vapour and argon in a gas discharge bulb. Amalgam balls are used for filling the gas discharge bulb with mercury. Novel coated balls whose operating life in the case of automatic metered introduction is increased by coating of the balls with an alloy powder and conglutination of the amalgam balls during storage and processing is prevented are proposed.

Abstract: A method for use in production of metallic iron nodules comprising providing a reducible mixture into a hearth furnace for the production of metallic iron nodules, where the reducible mixture comprises a quantity of reducible iron bearing material, a quantity of first carbonaceous reducing material of a size less than about 28 mesh of an amount between about 65 percent and about 95 percent of a stoichiometric amount necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material, and a quantity of second carbonaceous reducing material with an average particle size greater than average particle size of the first carbonaceous reducing material and a size between about 3 mesh and about 48 mesh of an amount between about 20 percent and about 60 percent of a stoichiometric amount of necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may include: Providing a supply of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder; compacting the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to form a preformed article; placing the preformed article in a sealed container; raising the temperature of the sealed container to a temperature that is lower than a sintering temperature of molybdenum; and subjecting the sealed container to an isostatic pressure for a time sufficient to increase the density of the article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce briquettes that have high strength even when the amounts of binder and water used are decreased as much as possible. A method for producing briquettes that achieve this object includes a step of forming primary granules by using a powder containing a metal oxide and at least one of zinc oxide, lead oxide, and titanium oxide and a step of compressing the primary granules still containing the at least one of zinc oxide, lead oxide, and titanium oxide so as to mold the primary granules into secondary granules.

Abstract: A fuel for splitting water into hydrogen and an oxide component comprises a substantially solid pellet formed from a solid-like mixture of a solid-state source material capable of oxidizing in water to form hydrogen and a passivation surface layer of the oxide component, and a passivation preventing agent that is substantially inert to water in an effective amount to prevent passivation of the solid-state material during oxidation. The pellets may be introduced into water or other suitable oxidizer in a controlled rate to control the rate of reaction of the source material with the oxidizer, and thereby control the rate of formation of hydrogen. Methods are described for producing the solid-like mixture in varying weight percent of source material to passivation preventing agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting a powder to a solid mass are disclosed. A furnace is provided to melt the powder and deliver a stream of resulting molten material to a bed of beads on a vibratory conveyor. Cooling gas flows through nozzles positioned above and along the conveyor to cool the beads and liquid. The liquid solidifies and forms a solid mass, incorporating beads from the bed. The conveyor can be periodically stopped to produce a plurality of discrete solid masses. Masses and unincorporated beads fall into a collection container. Unincorporated beads pass through a screening device and are returned to the bed of beads. A make-up bead system adds beads to the bed as needed to maintain a suitable bed depth. In some embodiments, the powder and beads consist essentially of silicon, and the solid masses formed are suitable for preparing silicon ingots.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite metal powder according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise: Providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a sodium compound; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the sodium compound with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder.

Abstract: A method for stabilization of liquid mercury in which powdered copper particles are cleaned with a chemically reactive fluid suitable for removing surface oxidation from the surface. “Clean” powdered copper particles are mixed with liquid mercury to form a powdered copper/liquid mercury mixture. The mixture is then hardened to form an amalgam. Amalgams in which the amount of mercury is greater than 50% by weight of the total amalgam may be produced in accordance with the method of this invention.

Abstract: A multi-component composition suitable for amalgamation with mercury to form a dental amalgam, an amalgam and a method for producing such a multi-component composition. The multi-component composition has: from 30 to 90% (by weight) of a first component containing at least 30% silver, at least 20% tin and at least 10% copper; from 10 to 70% (by weight) of a second component containing at least 30% silver, at least 20% tin and at least 10% copper; and up to 15% (by weight) of a third component containing silver and/or alloy powder containing at least 80% (by weight) silver. The first component is spherically shaped atomized alloy powder. The second component is mechanically worked atomized alloy powder. The surface area to volume ratio of the powder of the second component is greater than the surface area to volume ratio of the powder of the first component.

Abstract: A method and guardbed useful for the removal of residual amounts of mercury and entrained particulate matter from a gas such as a natural gas stream are disclosed. The guardbed contains at least two different particle size porous substrates impregnated with mercury amalgamable materials. In one embodiment, the porous substrates are arranged so that the larger substrates are disposed in the entrance region of the guardbed. In operation, a gas stream is passed over and through the porous substrates so that entrained particulate matter is trapped within the guardbed while mercury present in the gas stream is removed by amalgamation.

Abstract: Mercury is mixed with an inorganic powder resulting in a permanent bonding of the mercury to the powder in a solid form. Thereafter the amalgam may be easily, safely, and legally deposited in a landfill. Suggested powders include copper, zinc, nickel, and sulphur in a ratio of powder to mercury of substantially 3:1. The mixture is followed by compound agitation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of metal granules from a molten metal are disclosed. A molten metal stream is directed against an impact element located above the surface of water in a water tank. The impact of the molten metal upon the impact element causes the molten metal to disintegrate into drops which spread out radially from the impact element. The drops fall down into the water below the impact element in an annular region a certain radial distance from the impact element. The radial distance is varied by varying the velocity of the molten metal stream relative to the impact element at the instant of impact, and/or by varying the height of the impact element above the water surface, in order to substantially continuously vary the radius of the annular region in which the molten metal drops hit the water surface.By using the method and apparatus of the present invention it is possible to granulate metals and metal alloys having a low sinking rate in water and a high enthalpy.