A method includes: (1) using a chelating agent, extracting divalent ions from a brine solution as complexes of the chelating agent and the divalent ions; (2) using a weak acid, regenerating the chelating agent and producing a divalent ion salt solution; and (3) introducing carbon dioxide to the divalent ion salt solution to induce precipitation of the divalent ions as a carbonate salt. Another method includes: (1) combining water with carbon dioxide to produce a carbon dioxide solution; (2) introducing an ion exchanger to the carbon dioxide solution to induce exchange of alkali metal cations included in the ion exchanger with protons included in the carbon dioxide solution and to produce a bicarbonate salt solution of the alkali metal cations; and (3) introducing a brine solution to the bicarbonate salt solution to induce precipitation of divalent ions from the brine solution as a carbonate salt.

A method includes: (1) using a chelating agent, extracting divalent ions from a brine solution as complexes of the chelating agent and the divalent ions; (2) using a weak acid, regenerating the chelating agent and producing a divalent ion salt solution; and (3) introducing carbon dioxide to the divalent ion salt solution to induce precipitation of the divalent ions as a carbonate salt. Another method includes: (1) combining water with carbon dioxide to produce a carbon dioxide solution; (2) introducing an ion exchanger to the carbon dioxide solution to induce exchange of alkali metal cations included in the ion exchanger with protons included in the carbon dioxide solution and to produce a bicarbonate salt solution of the alkali metal cations; and (3) introducing a brine solution to the bicarbonate salt solution to induce precipitation of divalent ions from the brine solution as a carbonate salt.

The present invention relates to an improved process and method of recovering metals of value from used Lithium Ion batteries. More particularly, the invention provides a method for recovering cobalt and lithium along with other metals of value wherein the method includes physical processes for separation, limiting the use of chemical for removing minor impurities. Majority of elements were separated by physical processes instead of chemical processes which gives the benefit of cost saving in chemical treatment of liquid and solid effluents. The invention provides for a cost effective, economic and environmental friendly process for recovering metals of value.

The present invention relates to an improved process and method of recovering metals of value from used Lithium Ion batteries. More particularly, the invention provides a method for recovering cobalt and lithium along with other metals of value wherein the method includes physical processes for separation, limiting the use of chemical for removing minor impurities. Majority of elements were separated by physical processes instead of chemical processes which gives the benefit of cost saving in chemical treatment of liquid and solid effluents. The invention provides for a cost effective, economic and environmental friendly process for recovering metals of value.

Provided is a method of producing a porous molded body, the method including: the step of obtaining a molded body by molding a raw material that contains from 1 part by mass to 100 parts by mass of a bicarbonate compound (A) represented by AHCO.sub.3 (wherein, A represents Na or K) and from 0 parts by mass to 99 parts by mass of a compound (B) represented by B.sub.nX (wherein, B represents Na or K; X represents CO.sub.3, SO.sub.4, SiO.sub.3, F, Cl, or Br; and n represents an integer of 1 or 2 as determined by the valence of X) (provided that a total amount of (A) and (B) is 100 parts by mass); and the step of obtaining a porous molded body by performing a heat treatment of the molded body in a temperature range of from 100 C. to 500 C. and an atmosphere that contains water vapor in an amount of from 1.0 g/m.sup.3 to 750,000 g/m.sup.3 and thereby thermally decomposing not less than 90% by mass of the bicarbonate compound (A).

A method for producing a concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution from a purge stream deriving from a sodium carbonate, or sesquicarbonate, or wegsheiderite crystallizer, or sodium bicarbonate crystallizer, said purge stream comprising sodium carbonate and/or bicarbonate, and at least 1% of sodium chloride or sodium sulfate and a soluble impurity from an ore deposit comprising at least one of the following elements: As, Ba, B, Ca, Co, K, Li, Mo, P, Pb, Se, Sn, Sr, Te, Tl, Ti, V, and W, to be purified, the method comprising: causticizing at least 50 mol. % of the sodium carbonate into a caustic solution and into a calcium carbonate mud with lime and water; separating the mud from the caustic solution; concentrating the caustic solution by removing part of the water to obtain a concentrated caustic solution comprising at least 25% NaOH, and a crystallized solid comprising sodium carbonate and sodium chloride and/or sulfate; and separating the crystallized solid from the concentrated caustic solution, said crystallized solid to be disposed of or to be further valorized.

The disclosure provides seven integrated methods for the chemical sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) (collectively NO.sub.x, where x=1, 2) and sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) using closed loop technology. The methods recycle process reagents and mass balance consumable reagents that can be made using electrochemical separation of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl). The technology applies to marine and terrestrial exhaust gas sources for CO.sub.2, NOx and SO.sub.2. The integrated technology combines compatible and green processes that capture and/or convert CO.sub.2, NOx and SO.sub.2 into compounds that enhance the environment, many with commercial value.

The disclosure provides seven integrated methods for the chemical sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) (collectively NO.sub.x, where x=1, 2) and sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) using closed loop technology. The methods recycle process reagents and mass balance consumable reagents that can be made using electrochemical separation of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl). The technology applies to marine and terrestrial exhaust gas sources for CO.sub.2, NOx and SO.sub.2. The integrated technology combines compatible and green processes that capture and/or convert CO.sub.2, NOx and SO.sub.2 into compounds that enhance the environment, many with commercial value.

Process for the joint production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate crystals, according to which: a solid powder derived from sodium sesquicarbonate, having a mean particle diameter comprised between 0.1 and 10 mm is dissolved in water; the resulting water solution is introduced into a crystallizer, wherein a first water suspension comprising sodium carbonate crystals is produced; the first water suspension is subjected to a separation, in order to produce crystals comprising sodium carbonate on the one hand, which are valorized, and a mother liquor on the other hand; and a part of the mother liquor is taken out of the crystallizer and put into contact in, a gas liquid contactor, with a gas comprising carbon dioxide, in order to produce a second water suspension comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals, which are separated and valorized. A reagent powder comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals made by such process.

The disclosure provides seven integrated methods for the chemical sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) (collectively NO.sub.x, where x=1, 2) and sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) using closed loop technology. The methods recycle process reagents and mass balance consumable reagents that can be made using electrochemical separation of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl). The technology applies to marine and terrestrial exhaust gas sources for CO.sub.2, NOx and SO.sub.2. The integrated technology combines compatible and green processes that capture and/or convert CO.sub.2, NOx and SO.sub.2 into compounds that enhance the environment, many with commercial value.