Processes for regenerating alkali process streams are disclosed herein, including streams containing sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and combinations thereof. Systems for regenerating alkali process streams are disclosed herein, including streams containing sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and combinations thereof.

The present invention refers to the recovery of high-value metals such as gold and silver from ores containing them by the leaching process that is carried out in tanks or reactors, and to the destruction of cyanide, which is carried out in cyanide destruction (detox) tanks at the end of the leaching process, to avoid damage to the environment. An oxygen diffuser with a specific design is provided which is used in pulp leaching tanks and in cyanide destruction (detox) tanks containing residual pulp, with the application of oxygen, whereby better results are obtained in the recovery of metals, in the application of oxygen and in retention time, among others.

The present invention refers to the recovery of high-value metals such as gold and silver from ores containing them by the leaching process that is carried out in tanks or reactors, and to the destruction of cyanide, which is carried out in cyanide destruction (detox) tanks at the end of the leaching process, to avoid damage to the environment. An oxygen diffuser with a specific design is provided which is used in pulp leaching tanks and in cyanide destruction (detox) tanks containing residual pulp, with the application of oxygen, whereby better results are obtained in the recovery of metals, in the application of oxygen and in retention time, among others.

The present disclosure relates to methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the construction of new lead-acid batteries. A method includes: (A) forming a mixture including a carboxylate source and a lead-bearing material; (B) generating a first lead salt precipitate in the mixture as the carboxylate source reacts with the lead-bearing material; (C) increasing the pH of the mixture to dissolve the first lead salt precipitate; (D) isolating a liquid component of the mixture from one or more insoluble components of the mixture; (E) decreasing the pH of the liquid component of the mixture to generate a second lead salt precipitate; and (F) isolating the second lead salt precipitate from the liquid component of the mixture. Thereafter, the isolated lead salt precipitate may be converted to leady oxide for use in the manufacture of new lead-acid batteries.

The present disclosure relates to methods by which lead from spent lead-acid batteries may be extracted, purified, and used in the construction of new lead-acid batteries. A method includes: (A) forming a mixture including a carboxylate source and a lead-bearing material; (B) generating a first lead salt precipitate in the mixture as the carboxylate source reacts with the lead-bearing material; (C) increasing the pH of the mixture to dissolve the first lead salt precipitate; (D) isolating a liquid component of the mixture from one or more insoluble components of the mixture; (E) decreasing the pH of the liquid component of the mixture to generate a second lead salt precipitate; and (F) isolating the second lead salt precipitate from the liquid component of the mixture. Thereafter, the isolated lead salt precipitate may be converted to leady oxide for use in the manufacture of new lead-acid batteries.

A sparge for use in a high-pressure vessel operated at elevated temperatures and having high energy agitators for suspending mineral containing particles in a slurry. The sparge injects reagent fluids into the slurry to reduce reaction times and for controlling process parameters for extracting valuable minerals from the particles. The sparge has a vapor lock to inhibit the flow of particulate material and detritus material under low or no fluid flow situations which occur commonly in the operation of high pressure autoclaves. The sparge has a fluid flow path that increases in cross-sectional area in the direction of flow of reagent fluids so as to keep reagent fluids flowing at a velocity below a critical impingement velocity that can cause metal materials of the sparge to either wear rapidly, combust and in the worst case lead to loss of containment and violent and rapid depressurization of the high pressure vessel.

An active material separation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is an active material separation device configured to separate an active material from a battery member, which includes a container, a base member disposed in the container and configured to support the battery member, and a nozzle disposed above the container and configured to inject a liquid with respect to the battery member, and the nozzle injects the liquid in a state in which a position of an upper surface of the battery member is lower than a position of a liquid surface of the liquid.

An active material separation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is an active material separation device configured to separate an active material from a battery member, which includes a container, a base member disposed in the container and configured to support the battery member, and a nozzle disposed above the container and configured to inject a liquid with respect to the battery member, and the nozzle injects the liquid in a state in which a position of an upper surface of the battery member is lower than a position of a liquid surface of the liquid.

Disclosed is an apparatus that is an attrition mill for grinding or comminuting ores, mine wastes, and radioactive wastes some of which may comprise metals, which may include uranium and/or cesium and/or mercury and/or thorium and/or rare earth elements. Also disclosed are processes that employ the apparatus for combined grinding and optionally leaching metals from ores and wastes. Some such methods comprise an optional step of grinding and mixing the ore or waste with a solid inorganic base with water addition or with an aqueous inorganic base, follow by a step of grinding and mixing the ore or waste with an aqueous inorganic acid with or without leaching salt addition, to solubilize the metals present in the ore or the waste. The disclosed apparatus and methods, in some embodiments, enable efficient grinding and attrition of ores substrates and mine wastes even without need for grinding media.

Disclosed is an apparatus that is an attrition mill for grinding or comminuting ores, mine wastes, and radioactive wastes some of which may comprise metals, which may include uranium and/or cesium and/or mercury and/or thorium and/or rare earth elements. Also disclosed are processes that employ the apparatus for combined grinding and optionally leaching metals from ores and wastes. Some such methods comprise an optional step of grinding and mixing the ore or waste with a solid inorganic base with water addition or with an aqueous inorganic base, follow by a step of grinding and mixing the ore or waste with an aqueous inorganic acid with or without leaching salt addition, to solubilize the metals present in the ore or the waste. The disclosed apparatus and methods, in some embodiments, enable efficient grinding and attrition of ores substrates and mine wastes even without need for grinding media.