The present disclosure relates to systems and 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 forming a first mixture in a first vessel, wherein the first mixture includes a lead-bearing material and a carboxylate source, which react to precipitate lead salt particles. The method includes separating a portion of the first mixture from a remainder of the first mixture, wherein the portion includes lead salt particles having specific densities below a specific density threshold value and/or having particle sizes below a particle size threshold value. The method includes forming a second mixture in a second vessel, wherein the second mixture includes the lead salt particles from the separated portion of the first mixture. The method further includes separating the lead salt particles of the second mixture from a liquid component of the second mixture.

A method for preparing silica nanoparticles, the method comprising: adding centrimonium bromide (CTAB) to a water and ethanol to create a first reaction mixture; adding NH4OH to the reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture; adding a first amount of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to the second reaction mixture to create a third reaction mixture; adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the third reaction mixture then adding a second amount of TEOS to create a fourth reaction mixture; obtaining formed silica spheres; separating the formed silica spheres; washing the formed silica spheres with water and ethanol; and drying the formed silica spheres in an oven for at least about 8 hours to obtain silica nanoparticles.

A method for separating a lead radioisotope from a mixture comprising the lead radioisotope and a radioisotope of radium or thorium is provided, along with a system comprising a plurality of chromatographic columns. The system can include a first cartridge having a lead-complexing media that preferentially binds the lead radioisotope over radioisotopes of radium or thorium, and a second cartridge having a weak cationic exchange media, where a pH of a loading solution used to load the second cartridge is pH.sup.2L, and a pH of an eluent used to elute the lead radioisotope from the second cartridge is pH.sup.2E, and pH.sup.2L is greater than pH.sup.2E. The system can also comprise further third and fourth cartridges with chromatographic media to extract and purify the lead radioisotope, to provide a purified solution of lead radioisotope that can be used for medical and other purposes, such as in the labeling of radiopharmaceutical compounds.

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 method for separating a lead radioisotope from a mixture comprising the lead radioisotope and a radioisotope of radium or thorium is provided, along with a system comprising a plurality of chromatographic columns. The system can include a first cartridge having a lead-complexing media that preferentially binds the lead radioisotope over radioisotopes of radium or thorium, and a second cartridge having a weak cationic exchange media, where a pH of a loading solution used to load the second cartridge is pH.sup.2L, and a pH of an eluent used to elute the lead radioisotope from the second cartridge is pH.sup.2E, and pH.sup.2L is greater than pH.sup.2E. The system can also comprise further third and fourth cartridges with chromatographic media to extract and purify the lead radioisotope, to provide a purified solution of lead radioisotope that can be used for medical and other purposes, such as in the labeling of radiopharmaceutical compounds.

This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron, silica, and manganese compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions contain a concentration of manganese less than 10 mg/kg, a concentration of silica ranging from less than 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of iron less than 10 mg/kg, and the treated geothermal brine is derived from a Saltern Sea geothermal reservoir.

A method for preparing silica nanoparticles, the method comprising: adding centrimonium bromide (CTAB) to a water and ethanol to create a first reaction mixture; adding NH4OH to the reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture; adding a first amount of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to the second reaction mixture to create a third reaction mixture; adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the third reaction mixture then adding a second amount of TEOS to create a fourth reaction mixture; obtaining formed silica spheres; separating the formed silica spheres; washing the formed silica spheres with water and ethanol; and drying the formed silica spheres in an oven for at least about 8 hours to obtain silica nanoparticles.

A method for preparing silica nanoparticles, the method comprising: adding centrimonium bromide (CTAB) to a water and ethanol to create a first reaction mixture; adding NH4OH to the reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture; adding a first amount of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to the second reaction mixture to create a third reaction mixture; adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the third reaction mixture then adding a second amount of TEOS to create a fourth reaction mixture; obtaining formed silica spheres; separating the formed silica spheres; washing the formed silica spheres with water and ethanol; and drying the formed silica spheres in an oven for at least about 8 hours to obtain silica nanoparticles.

The present disclosure relates to an automated device and methods to produce a highly purified -emitting radioisotope Pb-212 from a pre-filled column of a parent isotope Ra-224 for use in targeted -particle therapy.

A method for preparing silica nanoparticles, the method comprising: adding centrimonium bromide (CTAB) to a water and ethanol to create a first reaction mixture; adding NH4OH to the reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture; adding a first amount of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to the second reaction mixture to create a third reaction mixture; adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the third reaction mixture then adding a second amount of TEOS to create a fourth reaction mixture; obtaining formed silica spheres; separating the formed silica spheres; washing the formed silica spheres with water and ethanol; and drying the formed silica spheres in an oven for at least about 8 hours to obtain silica nanoparticles.