Nickel(ni) Patents (Class 75/628)
  • Patent number: 9551053
    Abstract: A method to limit surface zone recrystallization in a superalloy article includes limiting recrystallization in a surface zone of a superalloy article by treating the superalloy article in an oxygen-containing environment to introduce oxygen into the surface zone in an amount sufficient to pin any new grain boundaries in the surface zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy G. Kononenko, Igor V. Belousov, Vadim Ivanovich Bondarchuk, Andrii Marynskyi, Carl R. Soderberg
  • Patent number: 9353427
    Abstract: This invention provides an Ni-based alloy, which is particularly used for standard casting and is provided with properties such as strength at high temperatures, corrosion resistivity, and oxidation resistivity in a more balanced manner, compared with existing materials. The Ni-based alloy comprises Cr, Co, Al, Ti, Ta, W, Mo, Nb, C, B, and unavoidable impurities, with the balance consisting of Ni. Composition of the alloy is represented by mass: 13.1% to 15.0% Cr, 1.0% to 15.0% Co, 2.3% to 3.3% Al, 4.55% to 6.0% Ti, 3.05% to 4.0% Ta, 4.35% to 4.9% W, 0.1% to 2.0% Mo, 0.05% to 0.5% Nb, less than 0.05% Zr, 0.05% to 0.2% C, and 0.01% to 0.03% B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuting Wang, Akira Yoshinari
  • Patent number: 8992662
    Abstract: A method for recovering valuable metals is provided in which the degree of oxidation of molten waste batteries is stabilized and separation between slag and an alloy is ensured. The method includes a roasting step (ST10) in which waste batteries are roasted beforehand at a low temperature of 300° C. or higher but lower than 600° C., an oxidation step (ST20) in which the waste batteries are oxidized by roasting at 1,100-1,200° C., and dry step (S20) in which the waste batteries that were oxidized in the oxidation step are melted, and slag and an alloy of valuable metals are separated from each other and recovered. By conducting the roasting step (ST10), organic carbon, which impairs the stability of the oxidation step (ST20) and which is contained, in plastic components, etc., is removed in advance prior to the oxidation step (ST20), and the efficiency of slag/alloy separation can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Mori, Toshirou Tan, Jun-ichi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20150050181
    Abstract: A fluxing method is disclosed by which the melt of aluminum-contaminated Ni-based glass-forming alloys is fluxed using a fluxing agent based on boron and oxygen in order to reverse the adverse effects of aluminum impurities on the glass-forming ability and toughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jong Hyun Na, Michael Floyd, Danielle Duggins, David S. Lee, Marios D. Demetriou, William L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140260804
    Abstract: A method of decarburizing a molten alloy may generally comprise injecting a first gas comprising at least one of argon, carbon dioxide, and oxygen through a first fluid-conducting portion of a tuyere into the molten alloy below the surface of the molten alloy, and injecting a second gas comprising at least one of argon and carbon dioxide through a second fluid-conducting portion of the tuyere into the molten alloy below the surface of the molten alloy. The tuyere may comprise an inner portion concentrically aligned within an outer portion to define an annulus therebetween. The first gas may be injected through the inner portion, and the second gas may be injected through the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ATI PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Roy J. Matway, Kenneth G. Malencia, Jay E. Rupert
  • Publication number: 20140178244
    Abstract: A method for desulfurizing a metal alloy comprises heating the metal alloy to a molten state. A gaseous desulfurizing compound is bubbled through the molten alloy to form a solid sulfur-containing waste phase and a molten reduced-sulfur alloy phase. The solid waste phase and the molten reduced-sulfur alloy phase are separated. The gaseous desulfurizing compound includes a constituent element selected from the group: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and rare earth metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mario P. Bochiechio, John Joseph Marcin, Kirk C. Newton, Michael A. Kmetz
  • Patent number: 8696785
    Abstract: A method for recycling a battery pack includes steps of: roasting the battery pack that houses a battery assembly that is in a charged condition, as it is, dismantling the roasted battery pack and separating the battery pack into unit cells and parts other than the unit cells, comminuting the unit cells obtained by separation, washing and screening the comminuted cells, dehydrating a slurry below a sieve after screening and recovering metals used for positive and negative electrodes, and recovering metal containing nickel by magnetically separating metal remaining on the sieve after screening, using a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuji Iida
  • Patent number: 8696789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a ferroalloy containing nickel. From a fine-grained raw material containing iron and chromium and a fine-grained raw material containing nickel, a mixture is formed with binding agent, the mixture is agglomerated so that first formed objects of desired size are obtained. The objects formed are heat treated in order to strengthen the objects so that the heat treated objects withstand conveyance and loading into a smelter furnace. Further, the objects are smelted under reducing circumstances in order to achieve ferrochromenickel, a ferroalloy of a desired composition containing at least iron, chromium and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Tuomo Mäkelä, Pekka Niemelä
  • Patent number: 8657916
    Abstract: A method for the pyrometallurgical processing of sulphide material containing nickel using a fluxing composition that includes calcium. The fluxing composition forms a slag having an Fe/CaO ratio of between about 0.5 and 5.0 by weight and an SiO2/Fe ratio of less than 0.2 by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Stanko Nikolic, Martin Lluis Bakker, Gerardo Raul Fernando Alvear Flores
  • Publication number: 20140020510
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new recovery of base metals from sulphide ores and concentrates, which comprises mixing the base metal's ore with ferric salts, heating the said mixture; adding water to form a pulp, stirring and filtering the pulp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: VALE S/A
    Inventors: Tiago Valentim BERNI, Antonio Clareti PEREIRA, Felipe Hilario GUIMARÃES
  • Patent number: 8613789
    Abstract: A process for producing particle-reinforced composite materials through utilization of an in situ reaction to produce a uniform dispersion of a fine particulate reinforcement phase. The process includes forming a melt of a first material, and then introducing particles of a second material into the melt and subjecting the melt to high-intensity acoustic vibration. A chemical reaction initiates between the first and second materials to produce reaction products in the melt. The reaction products comprise a solid particulate phase, and the high-intensity acoustic vibration fragments and/or separates the reaction products into solid particles that are dispersed in the melt and are smaller than the particles of the second material. Also encompassed are particle-reinforced composite materials produced by such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Qingyou Han, Zhiwei Liu
  • Patent number: 8551396
    Abstract: Provided herein are materials that can achieve up to 14% hydrogen absorption by weight in ambient conditions, which is a marked improvement over the hydrogen absorption values found in the prior art. Further provided are experimental conditions necessary to produce these materials. In order to produce the hydrogen storage material, a transition metal (or Lithium) is vaporized in a pi bond gas in conditions that permit only a few bonding collisions to occur between the vaporized transition metal atoms and pi bond gas molecules before the resulting bonded material is collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Bellave S. Shivaram, Adam B. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20130186236
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for improved recovery of metal from hot and cold dross, wherein a dross-treating furnace is provided with a filling material with capacity to store heat. This filling material is preheated to a desired temperature by injection of an oxidizing gas to burn non-recoverable metal remaining in the filling material after tapping of the recoverable metal contained in the dross and discharging of the treatment residue. When dross is treated in such furnace, the heat emanating by conduction from the filling material is sufficient to melt and separate the recoverable metal contained in the dross, without addition of an external heat source, such as fuel or gas burners, plasma torches or electric arcs and without use of any salt fluxes. Furthermore, the recovered metal being in the molten state can be fed to the molten metal holding furnace without cooling the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: PYROGENESIS CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Pyrogenesis Canada Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120301383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 8287804
    Abstract: In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Tanaka Holdings Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshiya Yamamoto, Takanobu Miyashita, Kiyoshi Higuchi, Yasuyuki Goto
  • Patent number: 8240480
    Abstract: A method of sorting mined material for subsequent processing to recover valuable material, such as valuable metals, from the mined material is disclosed. The method includes a combination of selective breakage of mined material, for example, by using microwaves and/or high pressure grinding rolls, subsequent size separation, and then particle sorting of a coarse fraction of the separated material based on differential heating and thermal imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Shaw, Barry Lavin
  • Publication number: 20120115708
    Abstract: A process for producing particle-reinforced composite materials through utilization of an in situ reaction to produce a uniform dispersion of a fine particulate reinforcement phase. The process includes forming a melt of a first material, and then introducing particles of a second material into the melt and subjecting the melt to high-intensity acoustic vibration. A chemical reaction initiates between the first and second materials to produce reaction products in the melt. The reaction products comprise a solid particulate phase, and the high-intensity acoustic vibration fragments and/or separates the reaction products into solid particles that are dispersed in the melt and are smaller than the particles of the second material. Also encompassed are particle-reinforced composite materials produced by such a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Qingyou Han, Zhiwei Liu
  • Publication number: 20120111150
    Abstract: A process for the selective recovery of Mo, V, Ni, Co and Al from spent hydroprocessing catalysts includes the steps of treating the spent catalysts to recovery metals, support as well as chemicals. The process steps include deoiling, decoking, washing, dissolving, complexing agent treatment, acid treatment and solvent extraction. This process uses limited steps than conventional processes by the use of ultrasonic agitation for metal extraction and the presence of a chelating agent particularly Ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetic Acid (EDTA). The process also discloses the compete recovery of the extracting agent EDTA with high purity for reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Meena Marafi
  • Publication number: 20120011966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), and to processes for the recycling thereof. The processes according to the invention are characterised in that the LCDs are employed at least partly as replacement for other raw materials. In general, the LCDs are thermally treated here at a temperature in the range from 900 to 1700° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Roland MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20120006157
    Abstract: A simple, compact burner achieves a more optimal melting of a solid charge followed by performance of combustion under distributed combustion conditions. The burner achieves this by fluidically bending the flame towards the solid charge during a melting phase with an actuating jet of oxidant, redirecting the flame in a direction away from the charge, and staging injection of oxidant among primary and secondary portions during a distributed combustion phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Vivek GAUTAM, Kenneth KAISER, Luc JARRY, Remi Pierre TSIAVA
  • Patent number: 8038764
    Abstract: A method of recovering rhenium from rhenium-containing superalloy scrap is provided. The superalloy is usually a nickel-based superalloy. The method includes the steps of forming an oxidation feedstock of flaky morphology of the superalloy scrap, and oxidizing the oxidation feedstock to convert rhenium into a volatile rhenium oxide. The flaky morphology of the oxidation feedstock is achieved by increasing the surface area of the superalloy scrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Biju Dasan, Barath Palanisamy, Don Mark Lipkin, Leonardo Ajdelsztajn, Joshua Leigh Miller, Srinidhi Sampath
  • Publication number: 20110243784
    Abstract: In the method for recovering a metal from a target that contains a metal and a metal oxide, the target contains a sintered body of the metal oxide after being heated under a condition of melting the metal without melting or decomposing the metal oxide. The target is heated in an upper crucible of a two-level crucible that includes the upper crucible with a through hole-formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a lower crucible disposed below the through hole, the size of the through hole being set such that it does not allow the sintered body of the metal oxide contained in the target to pass therethrough, and the melted metal is caused to flow into the lower crucible, so that the metal is separated from the metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: TANAKA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiya Yamamoto, Takanobu Miyashita, Kiyoshi Higuchi, Yasuyuki Goto
  • Publication number: 20110196168
    Abstract: Nickel-metal-containing solids for use in manufacturing nickel metal complexes are disclosed. The nickel-metal-containing solids are made by reducing basic nickel carbonates. By varying the molar ratios of carbonates and bicarbonates to nickel salts, the methods provide basic nickel carbonates that produce superior nickel metal-containing solids that react more effectively with phosphorous-containing ligands. The phosphorous containing ligands can be both monodentate and bidentate phosphorous-containing ligands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: INVISTA NORTH AMERICA S.A. R.L.
    Inventor: JOHN J. OSTERMAIER
  • Publication number: 20110103998
    Abstract: A method of producing a nickel product (including nickel alloy products and products such as nickel matte) from a nickel intermediate product is disclosed. The method comprises smelting a dried nickel intermediate product in a molten bath-based smelter and forming a molten pool containing a molten metal and a slag, with the molten metal being the nickel product. Intermediate and end products produced by the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Ivan Ratchev, Grant Caffery, Simon Philip Sullivan, René Ignacio Olivares, Gregory David Rigby
  • Publication number: 20100326237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20100307292
    Abstract: A method by which the amount of nickel contained in an alloy having a composition represented by Sn—X—Ni can be regulated. The method of nickel concentration regulation comprises adding phosphorus to Sn—X—Ni in a molten state (wherein X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Zn, Cu, Bi, Au, Ti, Ge, Ga, Si, and Ce), holding the mixture at 250-400° C., and removing the resultant dross floating on the surface of the liquid phase and containing a P—Ni compound and a P—Sn—Ni compound. An example of X is copper, and the content thereof may be 0.3-5 wt %. The phosphorus may be added in the state of a Sn—P alloy. The upper limit of the amount of the phosphorus to be added may be about half the nickel amount in terms of atomic amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Tetsuro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20100221137
    Abstract: Provided herein are materials that can achieve up to 14% hydrogen absorption by weight in ambient conditions, which is a marked improvement over the hydrogen absorption values found in the prior art. Further provided are experimental conditions necessary to produce these materials. In order to produce the hydrogen storage material, a transition metal (or Lithium) is vaporized in a pi bond gas in conditions that permit only a few bonding collisions to occur between the vaporized transition metal atoms and pi bond gas molecules before the resulting bonded material is collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Bellave S. Shivaram, Adam B. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20100175508
    Abstract: An improved nickel-chromium-iron alloy is provided, which comprises up to about 5% of hafnium-containing particles. In one embodiment, an improved creep resistant castable oxide dispersion strengthened nickel-chromium-iron alloy comprises up to about 5% of hafnium, with at least part of the hafnium being present as finely dispersed oxidized particles. Further embodiments of the improved alloy can comprise additionally up to about 15% by weight aluminum. The alloy is particularly useful in the production of creep resistant tubes and castings, for example, for the petrochemical market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Dominique Flahaut
  • Publication number: 20090314134
    Abstract: A method for recycling a battery pack includes steps of: roasting the battery pack that houses a battery assembly that is in a charged condition, as it is, dismantling the roasted battery pack and separating the battery pack into unit cells and parts other than the unit cells, comminuting the unit cells obtained by separation, washing and screening the comminuted cells, dehydrating a slurry below a sieve after screening and recovering metals used for positive and negative electrodes, and recovering metal containing nickel by magnetically separating metal remaining on the sieve after screening, using a magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuji IIDA
  • Patent number: 7491348
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Electromagnetics Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20070251351
    Abstract: A melt of nickel nitrate hydrate is introduced as droplets or liquid flow into a heated reaction vessel and thermally decomposed in a gas phase at a temperature of 1200° C. or more and at an oxygen partial pressure equal to or below the equilibrium oxygen pressure of nickel-nickel oxide at that temperature to manufacture a highly crystalline fine nickel powder with an extremely narrow particle size distribution. The oxygen partial pressure during the thermal decomposition is preferably 10?2 Pa or less, and a metal other than nickel, a semimetal and/or a compound of these may be added to the nickel nitrate hydrate melt to manufacture a highly crystalline nickel alloy powder or highly crystalline nickel composite powder. The resultant powder is suited in particular to thick film pastes such as conductor pastes for manufacturing ceramic multilayer electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Yuji Akimoto, Kazuro Nagashima, Hidenori Ieda, Tetsuya Kimura
  • Patent number: 6921497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Electromagnetics Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20040187643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining metals from a cobalt and/or nickel arsenic sulfide ore or ore concentrate and/or a cobalt and/or nickel sulfide ore or ore concentrate, according to which the cobalt and/or nickel arsenic sulfide ore or ore concentrate and/or the cobalt and/or nickel sulfide ore or ore concentrate is reacted with sulfur or sulfur arsenic compounds to a reaction product, and dissolving and removing soluble metals and rare-earth metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander Beckmann
  • Publication number: 20010054331
    Abstract: A method for recovering a valuable metal including the steps of: recovering valuables from scraps containing the valuable metal; and removing at least part of carbon contained in the recovered valuables by heating the valuables in a non-oxidizable atmosphere, and a method for recovering a valuable metal including the steps of: thermally treating a melted mixture including the valuable metal and slag with a flux component to separate the valuable metal in a liquid phase from the slag in another liquid phase. In accordance with the present invention, the valuable metal in the scrap can be easily recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Yasuda, Minoru Sakai
  • Patent number: 6193941
    Abstract: Besides a synthesis gas, a metallurgical raw material is to be produced from an oil containing heavy metals. To do this, the oil is partially oxidized and the heavy metal-containing soot is separated and burnt and the heavy metals thus occurring as ash can be taken to further processing, e.g. washing from the synthesis gas produced, using an aqueous washing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Krupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Buxel, Heinz Jochen Keller
  • Patent number: 6068677
    Abstract: The method for processing waste or waste fractions, such as, for example, household refuse, car shredder light fractions or the like, provides for pyrolysis, gasification and/or combustion, whereupon the residues are melted under reducing conditions. The reduced portions are then are subjected to a stepwise oxidation, with chromium being quantitatively separated in a first oxidation stage. After this, a calcium ferrite slag is formed by further oxidation, whereupon the remaining metal bath is further processed in order to recover nonferrous heavy metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: "Holderbank" Financiere Glarus AG
    Inventor: Alfred Edlinger
  • Patent number: 5993511
    Abstract: A nickel cermet containing a metal nickel phase and an yttria stabilized zirconia phase, is prepared by a process comprising: preparing a suspension of the zirconia in demineralized water; preparing a solution of a nickel salt in demineralized water; mixing the nickel solution and the zirconia dispersion; eliminating the water from the mixture to obtain a solid containing particles of the zirconia covered with the nickel salt; calcining the solid under oxidizing conditions to form particles of the zirconia covered with nickel oxide; and reducing the nickel oxide with hydrogen to nickel metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Enricerche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giampietro Piro, Maria Federica Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 5437705
    Abstract: A process and device for recovering cadmium and nickel metals from Ni-Cd battery and processing scrap material containing nickel, cadmium, iron and other substances are disclosed. The process includes depositing the scrap material in a furnace and adding an effective amount of an oxygen getter in the furnace to prevent oxide formation. Argon or nitrogen gas is introduced and maintained in the atmosphere of the furnace. The furnace is then heated for an effective period of time to evaporate free water. The temperature of the furnace is then increased and maintained to approximately 500.degree.-800.degree. C. for an effective period of time to volatilize molecular water and non-metallic substances. The temperature of the furnace is then further raised to greater than approximately 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to vaporize cadmium from the scrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph J. DeLisle, Harold E. Martin, Amos Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 5346563
    Abstract: Superalloy articles are made more oxidation resistant by a process which includes heat treating the article in the presence of foreign chemical species, at a temperature at which the foreign chemical species reacts with and modifies any oxide film present on the article surface. The heat treatment is best carried out at a temperature above the gamma prime solvus temperature of the article and below the incipient melting temperature of the article. Alternatively, the heat treatment may be carried out within the range defined by the incipient melting temperature of the article and about 150.degree. C. below the incipient melting temperature of the article. At such temperatures the foreign chemical species reacts with and modifies the oxide film on the article surface. Sulfur is then able to diffuse through such modified film, and a more oxidation resistant component is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William P. Allen, Norman S. Bornstein, Stephen Chin, Michael DeCrescente, David N. Duhl, Donald R. Parille, Roscoe A. Pike, John G. Smeggil
  • Patent number: 5344510
    Abstract: Superalloy articles are made more oxidation resistant by a process which includes heating the article in an environment having a reduced pressure of inert gas and a low partial pressure of oxygen to a temperature at which the sulfur in the article diffuses out. The heat treatment is best carried out at a temperature within the range defined by the incipient melting temperature of the article and about 150.degree. C. below the incipient melting temperature of the article. Alternatively, the heat treatment may be carried out at a temperature above the gamma prime solvus temperature of the article and below the incipient melting temperature of the article. At such temperatures, sulfur readily diffuses out of the article, and a more oxidation resistant component is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William P. Allen, Donald R. Parille
  • Patent number: 5336294
    Abstract: Particles or inclusions are removed from a molten alloy by contacting the molten alloy with a material selected from the group consisting of aluminium silicate, magnesium silicate, zirconium oxide or a mixture of alumina-calcia and alumina-magnesia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Steven P. Leyland, David A. Ford
  • Patent number: 5261944
    Abstract: A nickel cermet contains 35-70% by weight of a metal nickel phase and 65-30% by weight of a zirconia phase stabilized in the cubic form with yttria, with, on X-ray diffraction analysis, said phases appearing as distinct and homogeneously distributed at a level lower than 1 .mu.m.This nickel cermet is obtained by preparing an aqueous solution containing a heat-decomposable zirconyl, yttrium and nickel salt, and an organic hydroxyacid or aminoacid, or a poly(acrylic acid); removing water from the resulting solution, under conditions of absence, or substantial absence, of decomposition phenomena, in order to separate a porous solid; calcining the porous solid, and reducing with hydrogen the product from calcination.The nickel cermet obtained in this way is useful as an anodic material for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignees: Eniricerche S.p.A., Snam, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Lockhart, Giampietro Piro, Federica Gagliardi, Laura Zanibelli
  • Patent number: 5196048
    Abstract: A hydrogen battery alloy is prepared which is substantially free of inclusions of chromium by preparing a first precursor alloy or master alloy containing vanadium, nickel, and chromium using relatively equal amounts of vanadium and nickel and then adding from 5% to 12% by weight of chromium. The alloy materials are introduced into an aluminothermic reaction as vanadium pentoxide, nickel powder and chromium powder with the aluminum metal being in slight excess of its stoichiometric amount. The first precursor alloy described further alloyed with preselected amounts of nickel, zirconium, titanium, cobalt, manganese, aluminum, and chromium to form an alloy suitable for use as an electrode material in rechargeable electrochemical hydrogen storage cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Antrim, Edward G. Dirrett, Steven M. Tuominen
  • Patent number: 5190577
    Abstract: In a method for decarburizing metals and alloys, a two-gas component mixture consisting only of oxygen and carbon dioxide is introduced into molten metals or alloys at least during the first decarburization phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Liquid Air Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis L. Bermel, Sara H. Anderson, Daniel R. Urban
  • Patent number: 5174812
    Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of nickel from an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate liquor containing nickel II ions and cobalt III ions by liquid-liquid extraction where ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solutions are the only aqueous phases involved in the process. The process includes the successive steps of: (a) oxidizing the majority of any cobalt II ammines in the ammoniacal liquid to cobalt III; (b) extracting nickel from the ammoniacal liquor with an organic reagent, which reagent may also contain a suitable modifying reagent, to form a nickel loaded organic phase and an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate phase containing cobalt; (c) stripping the nickel loaded organic phase characterized by contacting the organic phase with an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solution to form a nickel loaded aqueous strip liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: MEQ Nickel Pty., Ltd.
    Inventors: Malcolm J. Price, John G. Reid
  • Patent number: 5147619
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel catalyst metal from a top portion of a fluidized bed consists essentially of the steps of providing a sludge material including spent catalyst including recoverable catalyst metal in the form of particles which are finely divided, and an organic material consisting essentially of fat, the organic material being combustible or otherwise degradable under conditions attainable by fluidized bed techniques; feeding the sludge material into a base portion of a fluidized bed including a bed of inert carrier material; converting the organic material to waste gases in the fluidized bed; maintaining the fluidized bed under conditions which cause the particles of recoverable catalyst metal to rise to a top portion of the fluidized bed, the recoverable catalyst metal comprising particles having an average particle size of less than 50 microns; removing the particles of recoverable catalyst metal and the waste gases from the top portion of the fluidized bed; and separating the particle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Camlaw Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cutchey, Trevor J. Keirle
  • Patent number: 5102449
    Abstract: In a method of remelting metallic materials, particularly nickel-based superalloys, in which the melting operation is carried out in a cooled copper crucible under clean vacuum conditions by means of electromagnetic inductors, the magnetic field applied to the mass of molten metal has a frequency between 50 Hz and 5.times.10.sup.6 Hz, preferably between 5.times.10.sup.3 Hz and 5.times.10.sup.5 Hz, so as to effect simultaneously electromagnetic stirring of the liquid metal and a surface concentration at the cold walls of the mass to be recast of all the non-conductive particles, especially ceramic inclusions, thereby achieving an inclusion decanting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventors: Christian A. B. Ducrocq, Marcel Garnier, Gerard Lemaitre, Pascal J. Rivat, Pierre M. Vernay
  • Patent number: 4694700
    Abstract: Ultrasonic sensor and echograph with static sectorial scanning, especially for a wide angle picture, wherein according to a possible embodiment, the sensor comprises several groups of transducer elements forming between one another obtuse angles in such a way as to define overall a convex outline so that the delays or lags necessary to obtain a complete scanning be lower than with a conventional linear strip and thus easier to contol, the sensor being intended to be applied to medical echography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: CGR Ultrasonic
    Inventor: Charles Maerfeld