The present invention is related to the production and concentration of lithium and potassium from natural sources, in particular from clays from salt flats.

The present disclosure generally relates to processes for the reduction of transition metals using alkali metals to produce reduced transition metals.

The present disclosure generally relates to processes for the reduction of transition metals using alkali metals to produce reduced transition metals.

Submersible media filters and submersible columns for use in removing radioactive isotopes and other contaminants from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop of a nuclear reactor system or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool. Generally, these submersible media filters and submersible columns are adapted to be submersed in the fluid stream, and additionally the filters are adapted to be vitrified after use, resulting in a stabilized, non-leaching final waste product with a substantially reduced volume compared to the original filter. In several embodiments, the submersible media filters and submersible columns include isotope-specific media (ISM).

Submersible media filters and submersible columns for use in removing radioactive isotopes and other contaminants from a fluid stream, such as a fluid stream from the primary coolant loop of a nuclear reactor system or a fluid stream from a spent-fuel pool. Generally, these submersible media filters and submersible columns are adapted to be submersed in the fluid stream, and additionally the filters are adapted to be vitrified after use, resulting in a stabilized, non-leaching final waste product with a substantially reduced volume compared to the original filter. In several embodiments, the submersible media filters and submersible columns include isotope-specific media (ISM).

Concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution comprising: at least 25% by weight of NaOH, sodium chloride (NaCl) and/or sodium sulfate (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4), and one soluble impurity from a sodium carbonate or bicarbonate ore deposit, said soluble impurity being selected among: As, Ba, B, Ca, Co, K, Li, Mg, Mo, P, Pb, Se, Si, Sr, Te, Tl, Ti, V, W, and the soluble impurity being in specific concentrations ranges. And process for producing such concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution by treating a purge stream comprising sodium carbonate or bicarbonate.

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 Salton Sea geothermal reservoir.

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 Salton Sea geothermal reservoir.

Acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. Technological and geopolitical advantages inure to conflict-free refinement of rare materials including critical minerals used in production of energy storage devices, among other applications. Additionally, the applied clean tech methods advance environmental goals such as those given in the Paris Agreement. Various site-specific system configurations and corresponding site-specific methods of operation bring to bear a panoply of economically viable approaches to critical mineral refinement. In some approaches, electrical power needed to drive refinement is provided by selected site-specific renewable energy sources. Real-world implementations involve co-locating a dissociating reactor with a geothermal energy plant near a salar. Refined critical minerals are produced on site. Deployment of the various site-specific configurations of systems and practice of corresponding site-specific methods reduces or eliminates negative environmental impacts such as those incurred by legacy mining-based techniques.

A method for recovering sodium from a sodium-sulfur battery of the present invention includes a reaction step of injecting a treatment liquid toward the sodium housed in a sodium-housing component in the battery container and causing the sodium to react with the treatment liquid so as to generate a reaction liquid; and a circulation step of generating the treatment liquid by adjusting the concentration and liquid temperature of the reaction liquid, and, in the reaction step, while the entire amount of the sodium is reacted with the treatment liquid, the treatment liquid is continuously injected toward the sodium.