An environmentally friendly (e.g. no acid, base, or cyanide) system and process for large scale extraction of metal ion into aerobic molten salt (or ionic liquid) and the electrodeposition of metal (e.g. copper, gold, silver, etc.) from the metal ion dissolved in the molten salt. The non-volatile low vapor pressure liquid salt is reusable, and heat from the molten slag can heat the molten salts or ionic liquids. Another embodiment comprises a one-pot apparatus for the extraction of metal (e.g. copper) from metal earths and electrodepositing the metal using a low melting (209 C.) aerated NaKZn chloride salt in which copper metal oxidizes and is converted to soluble copper chloride. When an electrical power supply is connected to the graphite vessel (cathode) and to copper rods in the melt (anodes), then the copper chloride is deposited as copper metal by electroreduction on the bottom of the graphite reaction vessel.

A process and system are disclosed for recovering lithium from a lithium-containing silicate mineral. The process and system comprise mixing the silicate mineral with nitric acid. The process and system also comprise subjecting the mixture to a leaching process having conditions such that lithium values in the silicate mineral are leached from the silicate mineral as lithium nitrate. The nitric acid can be in aqueous, gaseous or precursor gaseous form.

A process and system are disclosed for recovering lithium from a lithium-containing silicate mineral. The process and system comprise mixing the silicate mineral with nitric acid. The process and system also comprise subjecting the mixture to a leaching process having conditions such that lithium values in the silicate mineral are leached from the silicate mineral as lithium nitrate. The nitric acid can be in aqueous, gaseous or precursor gaseous form.

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.

Apparatus and methods for lithium extraction from aqueous sources are described herein. Divalent ions are removed using staged membrane separation. The aqueous source is subjected to a solvent extraction process that extracts lithium. Aqueous and organic phases of streams produced by the solvent extraction process are separated using electrical and/or gas flotation separation. The solvent is de-complexed to unload lithium. Streams produced by the de-complexing may be subjected to electrical and/or gas flotation separation. Solvent de-complexing can be performed using an electrical separator. Aqueous streams are pH adjusted for return to the environment.

Apparatus and methods for lithium extraction from aqueous sources are described herein. Divalent ions are removed using staged membrane separation. The aqueous source is subjected to a solvent extraction process that extracts lithium. Aqueous and organic phases of streams produced by the solvent extraction process are separated using electrical and/or gas flotation separation. The solvent is de-complexed to unload lithium. Streams produced by the de-complexing may be subjected to electrical and/or gas flotation separation. Solvent de-complexing can be performed using an electrical separator. Aqueous streams are pH adjusted for return to the environment.

A process for processing a leach solution of black mass of spent alkaline batteries which leach solution comprises metals dissolved to an acidic solution. The process comprises removing of one or more elements from the leach solution by a cementation operation by applying at least one non-noble metal in a metal form as a cementation agent and one or more additional cementation agents from both sulphate and nitrate groups to process the leach solution into a product of at least manganese- and zinc-containing sulphate solution which is suitable for use as micronutrients alone, in fertilizers and/or together with a plant protective agent to aid growth and health of plants. In addition, the invention also relates to a process for processing a black mass of spent alkaline batteries.

A process for processing a leach solution of black mass of spent alkaline batteries which leach solution comprises metals dissolved to an acidic solution. The process comprises removing of one or more elements from the leach solution by a cementation operation by applying at least one non-noble metal in a metal form as a cementation agent and one or more additional cementation agents from both sulphate and nitrate groups to process the leach solution into a product of at least manganese- and zinc-containing sulphate solution which is suitable for use as micronutrients alone, in fertilizers and/or together with a plant protective agent to aid growth and health of plants. In addition, the invention also relates to a process for processing a black mass of spent alkaline batteries.

A reactor for gas-liquid mass transfer between a gas and a liquid or slurry includes a tank for receiving the liquid or slurry having a wall; a drive shaft; an upward pumping impeller; and an aerating apparatus disposed above the upward pumping impeller and extending between the drive shaft and the wall of the tank at a first distance (d1) from the drive shaft and at a second distance (d2) from the wall of the tank, the aerating apparatus encircling the drive shaft at least partially. The aerating apparatus has an outward inclined or curved inner surface for directing at least a part of the flow over the inner surface.