Methods are provided for processing a lithium-containing material (e.g., a mineral like spodumene) whereby a lithium sulfate solution derived from the material is reacted with a primary reagent (e.g., Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 or NaOH) to produce a mixed solution of primary lithium product (e.g., Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 or LiOH) and Na.sub.2SO.sub.4. In addition to primary lithium product, a separated Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 solution is produced and converted to a byproduct (e.g., CaSO.sub.4, NaNO.sub.3, NaOH, H.sub.2SO.sub.4) by reaction with a salt chemical (e.g., Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2) or alkali chemical (e.g., Ca(OH).sub.2), or by electrolysis or electrodialysis. Byproducts are re-used to reduce reagent inputs. Residual lithium in an output solution is reacted with a secondary reagent (e.g., CO.sub.2 from flue gas, or H.sub.3PO.sub.4) to produce secondary lithium products (e.g., Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 or Li.sub.3PO.sub.4), which may be re-used to reduce reagent inputs and increase lithium recovery.

Methods are provided for processing a lithium-containing material (e.g., a mineral like spodumene) whereby a lithium sulfate solution derived from the material is reacted with a primary reagent (e.g., Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 or NaOH) to produce a mixed solution of primary lithium product (e.g., Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 or LiOH) and Na.sub.2SO.sub.4. In addition to primary lithium product, a separated Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 solution is produced and converted to a byproduct (e.g., CaSO.sub.4, NaNO.sub.3, NaOH, H.sub.2SO.sub.4) by reaction with a salt chemical (e.g., Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2) or alkali chemical (e.g., Ca(OH).sub.2), or by electrolysis or electrodialysis. Byproducts are re-used to reduce reagent inputs. Residual lithium in an output solution is reacted with a secondary reagent (e.g., CO.sub.2 from flue gas, or H.sub.3PO.sub.4) to produce secondary lithium products (e.g., Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 or Li.sub.3PO.sub.4), which may be re-used to reduce reagent inputs and increase lithium recovery.

The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a chamber, wherein a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The droplets then settle at the bottom of the chamber, wherein they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature, to form an ice/brine slush mixture. A slush removal mechanism with a screw-like helical blade is provided to continuously remove the ice particles from the chamber.

Inorganic anions nitrate and nitrite influence metabolic rate and glucose homeostasis. Infusion of nitrite iv caused an acute drop in resting energy expenditure (oxygen consumption) and nitrate, when given perorally, caused a reduction in oxygen consumption during exercise and a depression of the increase in blood glucose observed after an oral glucose tolerance test. The doses of nitrate and nitrite did not cause any detectable change in methemoglobin levels of blood. Also, nitrate and nitrite did not alter lactate levels in blood. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate the energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis of a mammal by administration of inorganic nitrite and/or nitrate.

Inorganic anions nitrate and nitrite influence metabolic rate and glucose homeostasis. Infusion of nitrite iv caused an acute drop in resting energy expenditure (oxygen consumption) and nitrate, when given perorally, caused a reduction in oxygen consumption during exercise and a depression of the increase in blood glucose observed after an oral glucose tolerance test. The doses of nitrate and nitrite did not cause any detectable change in methemoglobin levels of blood. Also, nitrate and nitrite did not alter lactate levels in blood. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate the energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis of a mammal by administration of inorganic nitrite and/or nitrate.

Disclosed is a method of administering nitrate in an effective and safe amount to cause a beneficial effect in a subject in need thereof. The method includes administering to the subject at least 0.01 mmol/kg/day of nitrate.

Disclosed is a method of administering nitrate in an effective and safe amount to cause a beneficial effect in a subject in need thereof. The method includes administering to the subject at least 0.01 mmol/kg/day of nitrate.