Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal from waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the environment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the like are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered.

Abstract: A method for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal from waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the environment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the like are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered.

Abstract: This process comprises; mixing (1) the solid residues with a solid reducing agent; treating (2) the mixture in a furnace at a temperature above 1000.degree. C. to obtain (3) a vitrified product rendered poor in metals and an emission of gas enriched in metallic elements in a vapour phase; air quenching (4) the gases rich in metals; filtering (5) the products resulting from the air quenching to obtain secondary ashes rich in metallic salts; at the end of the filtering operation, washing the smoke (6) for discharging it to the atmosphere; and subjecting the secondary ashes rich in metallic salts to a treatment for producing a product rich in valuable metals (7 to 10).

Abstract: Spent solutions from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220)for removal of any unsettled fines. Many of the clumps of flocculated solids become enlarged enough to individually extend across and substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the conduit. As a result, the enlarged clumps substantially block passage of and strain from the solution remaining fine particles which then adhere to the clumps.

Abstract: A silver recovery device (30) is described for removing silver from a silver-containing solution. The device (30) comprises an ion-exchange resin bed (34) and a pump (62) for directing the solution through the resin bed (34). The pump (62) is positioned downstream of the resin bed (34) and the resin bed (34) is held within a retaining space (36) of variable dimensions. Higher liquid flow rates are thereby achievable, without fluidization of the resin.

Abstract: A process for recycling polyester contained in waste materials is provided. The polyester is converted into a corresponding acid salt of a polybasic organic acid and a polyol. The process steps generally include first combining materials containing polyester with an alkaline composition to form a mixture. The mixture is heated, causing the polyester to convert to the acid salt and polyol. The polyol is evaporated and separated from the acid salt.

Abstract: A process for recycling polyester contained in waste materials is provided. The polyester is converted into ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The process steps generally include first combining materials containing polyester with an alkaline solution to form a slurry. The slurry is heated, causing ethylene glycol to evaporate which can then be collected. The remaining product stream is then mixed with water and filtered to remove any undissolved impurities. The aqueous filtrate can be acidified causing terephthalic acid to precipitate. Further, if silver is contained within the materials fed to the process, the silver can also be isolated and recovered.

Abstract: A non-toxic process for the recovery of silver from silver containing photographic emulsion coated paper or film substrates is provided. The process includes the use of a stripping formulation comprised of an alkaline bleach solution which is capable of holding stripped animal protein, silver and silver halide in solution during separation of the substrate materials. The solution containing the silver, silver halide and animal protein is treated with a strong or highly ionized acid which results in controlled precipitation of hydrolyzed animal protein, silver and silver halide. Waste fluids are neutralized with an alkali metal hydroxide, the precipitate is dried to a sludge, carbon content of the sludge is control burned and the residue is smelted with appropriate fluxes in order to achieve silver ingot.

Abstract: Waste liquors containing small amounts of silver salts are treated with aluminum hydroxide to produce a floc reduced in volume by the addition of an acid and mixed with a metal bicarbonate and metal carbonate in amounts sufficient to affect solidification.