Abstract: A method of separating metal particulates from a slurry of original constituents of liquid metal and metal particulates and salt particulates is disclosed. The metal and salt particulates are concentrated by removing at least some of the liquid metal, and then, liquid metal or a liquid of the original salt constituent or a mixture thereof is passed through the particulates at a temperature greater than the melting point of the original salt constituent to further concentrate the metal particulates. The metal particulates are then separated from the remaining original constituents or a mixture of the salt constituent. Density differences between the liquid metal and salt are also used to facilitate separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technical sodium purification method consisting of placing liquid sodium in contact at a temperature greater than or equal to 150° C., inside a static mixer, with an inert gas stream with respect to the sodium containing the stoechiometric quantity of water vapour required to oxidise calcium so as to lower its content to the desired content, and then separating the purified sodium from the inert gas, and the hydrogen and lime produced by the reaction.

Abstract: The melter furnace includes a heating chamber (16), a pump chamber (18), a degassing chamber (20), and a filter chamber (22). The pump chamber (18) is located adjacent the heating chamber (16) and houses a molten metal pump (30). The degassing chamber (20) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the pump chamber (18), and houses a degassing mechanism (36). The filter chamber (22) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the degassing chamber (20). The filter chamber (22) includes a molten metal filter (38). The melter furnace (12) is used to supply molten metal to an externally located holder furnace (14), which then recirculates molten metal back to the melter furnace (12).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for recovering metal values from Electric Arc Furnace dust, particularly zinc and iron values, by mixing EAF dust and carbonaceous fines to form a particulate mixture; heating the mixture at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to reduce and release volatile metals and alkali metals in a flue gas; collecting the released metals, and removing the metal values from the process as product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technical sodium purification method consisting of placing liquid sodium in contact at a temperature greater than or equal to 150° C., inside a static mixer, with an inert gas stream with respect to the sodium containing the stoechiometric quantity of water vapour required to oxidise calcium so as to lower its content to the desired content, and then separating the purified sodium from the inert gas, and the hydrogen and lime produced by the reaction.

Abstract: A method for removing oxides from a liquid metal heat exchange fluid following the initial startup of the heat exchange system fixes oxygen by locating an oxygen scavenging material in a drain tank. During initial fabrication and periods of maintenance metal surfaces of the conduits, heat exchange elements and other equipment become coated with an oxide layer. This invention eliminates the need for the sacrificial traps in the circulating system that are used to remove this initial oxide loading by placing an oxygen scavenging material in the drain tank. The drain tank is ordinarily provided to retain the inventory of liquid metal when it is not circulating in the heat exchange volume. A simple drain down of the liquid metal inventory can thereby remove from the liquid metal inventory essentially all of the oxide impurities that usually accompany an initial startup of such a system.

Abstract: Production of metallic sodium and potassium by reaction of their hydroxides or carbonates with carbon. The carbon may be produced in situ by pyrolysis of a pyrolyzable carbonaceous material. There are further disclosed a process and installation for performing the production while using solar energy.

Abstract: A process for recovering Na from a spent NaS cell, includes the steps of forming an opening in a spent NaS cell, flowing down molten Na from an interior of the NaS cell through the opening in a heating oil vessel, passing the molten Na through a filter placed in the heating oil vessel to remove metallic powder, collecting the molten Na in a bottom portion of the heating oil vessel by utilizing a difference in specific gravity between the molten Na and an oil, and taking out the Na from an outer side of the filter.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating calcium and nitrogen from lithium, in which alumina is added to molten lithium and reacts to produce aluminum and lithium oxide. The aluminum reacts with the nitrogen in the lithium to produce insoluble aluminum nitride, while the lithium oxide reacts with the calcium present to produce insoluble calcium oxide and lithium. The insoluble calcium oxide and aluminum nitride may then be separated from the molten lithium, such as by filtration.