A method of preparing metal hydroxides from industrial wastes or alkaline rocks is provided. The method comprise subjecting a mixture comprising a solvent and a solid substrate to a stimulus in order to leach a metal cation from the solid substrate into the solvent, thereby forming a solution comprising the metal cation in the solvent; and contacting the solution of comprising the metal cation with a cathode, thereby electrolytically precipitating the metal hydroxide from the solution. The stimulus may be chemical, mechanical, or both.

A device for efficiently separating ethyl tin from molten crude tin is disclosed. The device includes grab buckets, connecting rods, an inverted T-shaped push rod, alloy legs, a hanger plate, a cylinder and a lifting ring; wherein one end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected with one side of the grab bucket, and the other end of the connecting rod is detachably connected with the bottom end of the inverted T-shaped push rod; a top flange of the inverted T-shaped push rod is detachably connected with the bottom flange of the cylinder through threads, and the inverted T-shaped push rod is powered by the cylinder to push and pull. The device has simple structure, small volume, light weight, convenient use and placement, reduced occupancy rate of production site space and flexible use; the invention adopts a remote control mode, mechanized operation, higher safety and labor saving.

A hydrometallurgical method for simultaneously extracting zinc, lead, silver, iron and calcium from electric arc furnace dust (hazardous waste) produced by the steelmaking industry (steelworks), in the form of industrial products: zinc as zinc sulphate or zinc cathodes; lead and silver as a concentrate of lead and silver; iron as reduced elemental iron for return to the electric arc furnace; and, lastly, calcium as gypsum, without solid waste or liquid effluents being generated relates to the chemical nature of the electric arc furnace dust (complex oxides) changes to a sulfide complex, and eliminating the hazards associated with the generation of fugitive heavy-metal salts. In addition, the hydrometallurgical problem of low recovery of zinc and iron is solved. Consequently, hydrometallurgy is made easier and more environmentally friendly, as condensed water is used as a leachate, the condensed water being continuously regenerated by vacuum evaporation systems without generating effluents.

A hydrometallurgical method for simultaneously extracting zinc, lead, silver, iron and calcium from electric arc furnace dust (hazardous waste) produced by the steelmaking industry (steelworks), in the form of industrial products: zinc as zinc sulphate or zinc cathodes; lead and silver as a concentrate of lead and silver; iron as reduced elemental iron for return to the electric arc furnace; and, lastly, calcium as gypsum, without solid waste or liquid effluents being generated relates to the chemical nature of the electric arc furnace dust (complex oxides) changes to a sulfide complex, and eliminating the hazards associated with the generation of fugitive heavy-metal salts. In addition, the hydrometallurgical problem of low recovery of zinc and iron is solved. Consequently, hydrometallurgy is made easier and more environmentally friendly, as condensed water is used as a leachate, the condensed water being continuously regenerated by vacuum evaporation systems without generating effluents.

A molten metal filter box. The filter box includes a filter housing provided in a flow path for molten metal. A horizontal partition is disposed within the filter housing and has at least one filter receiving passage. A filter medium in the shape of a substantially flat plate is positioned within the filter receiving passage and below an inflow path of the molten metal. The filter medium includes a hole. A filter handling tool is disposed within the hole. The filter handling tool can optionally include a handle secured to the molten metal filter box to suspend the filter medium. Advantageously, the filter medium can be removed by grasping the filter handling tool and removing the filter medium.

An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy includes at least one ceramic foam filter or any other type of filtration media such as porous tube or alumina balls disposed in a receptacle for the molten metal. A vibrator vibrates at least one of the filter, the receptacle or the metal and may be used to induce priming, filtering and/or drainage of the filter. The vibrator may be retrofitted to an existing filter system and may be adjustable in frequency and amplitude. The vibration may be continuous over a given period or produced in a single shock.

An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy includes at least one ceramic foam filter or any other type of filtration media such as porous tube or alumina balls disposed in a receptacle for the molten metal. A vibrator vibrates at least one of the filter, the receptacle or the metal and may be used to induce priming, filtering and/or drainage of the filter. The vibrator may be retrofitted to an existing filter system and may be adjustable in frequency and amplitude. The vibration may be continuous over a given period or produced in a single shock.

The method includes the following steps: a) providing a tubular sonotrode (1) formed in a material substantially inert to liquid aluminum, such as a ceramic, for example, silicon oxynitride, the sonotrode comprising a first open end region (2) and a second optionally closed end region (3), b) submerging at least some of the open end region (2) of the tubular sonotrode (1) in the liquid aluminum alloy, and c) applying power ultrasound on the liquid aluminum alloy by means of the tubular sonotrode (1).

An apparatus for countergravity casting a metallic material, comprises: a crucible for holding melted metallic material; a casting chamber for containing a mold; a fill tube capable of extending into the crucible to communicate melted metallic material to the casting chamber; a gas source coupled a headspace of the melting vessel to allow the gas source to pressurize said headspace to establish a pressure differential to force the melted metallic material upwardly through said fill tube into said mold; and means for gettering sulfur.

Methods and systems for separating a first metal from a metal-containing feed stream are provided. The method can include applying solar energy, for example, by focusing one or more mirrors in one or more heliostats, to heat a metal-containing feed stream in a heating zone to a first temperature to produce a first vapor including the first metal. The first vapor can be condensed in a condensation zone to produce a first liquid including the first metal, and the first liquid can be collected. The system can include a separation unit include a heating zone in fluid communication with a condensation zone and a means for applying solar energy to heat a metal-containing feed stream disposed in the heating zone.