A method is provided for leaching the metals while granulating molten matte, comprising the steps of feeding a molten matte as a falling stream into a granulation chamber, spraying a liquid jet on the stream of molten matte to atomize the matte, and cooling the matte particles thus formed. The liquid jet comprises an acid solution containing water and sulfuric acid so that the acid solution starts leaching metals from the molten matte when the liquid jet contacts the molten matte. Part of product solution from granulation can be circulated to liquid jets to increase the metal content in the solution and to reduce its acid con-tent.

Provided is a dendritic silver-coated copper powder which is capable of effectively ensuring a contact, while having excellent electrical conductivity by having the surface coated with silver. A silver-coated copper powder according to the present invention is obtained by coating the surface of a copper powder 1, which is an assembly of copper particles 2 and has a dendritic form having a plurality of branches, with silver. Each copper particle 2, the surface of which is coated with silver, is an ellipsoid that has a breadth within the range of from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm and a length within the range of from 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm. The average particle diameter (D50) of the copper powder 1, which is obtained by coating the surface of the assembly of the ellipsoidal copper particles 2 with silver, is from 5.0 μm to 20 μm.

Provided is a dendritic silver-coated copper powder which is capable of effectively ensuring a contact, while having excellent electrical conductivity by having the surface coated with silver. A silver-coated copper powder according to the present invention is obtained by coating the surface of a copper powder 1, which is an assembly of copper particles 2 and has a dendritic form having a plurality of branches, with silver. Each copper particle 2, the surface of which is coated with silver, is an ellipsoid that has a breadth within the range of from 0.2 μm to 0.5 μm and a length within the range of from 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm. The average particle diameter (D50) of the copper powder 1, which is obtained by coating the surface of the assembly of the ellipsoidal copper particles 2 with silver, is from 5.0 μm to 20 μm.

The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for metal refining, in particular for refining a mixture of conductive particles, such as heavy non-ferrous particles. In accordance with the invention a feed containing a mixture of conductive particles is fed to a dissolution unit, wherein the less noble metal is separated from a metal of interest in the presence of one or more acids or complexing agents, thus producing a stream having a concentrated less noble metal and producing a conductive stream containing a metal of interest. The conductive stream is then fed to a refining unit, wherein the conductive stream is separated in a stream of concentrated metal(s) of interest and a stream of concentrated conductive particles.

The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for metal refining, in particular for refining a mixture of conductive particles, such as heavy non-ferrous particles. In accordance with the invention a feed containing a mixture of conductive particles is fed to a dissolution unit, wherein the less noble metal is separated from a metal of interest in the presence of one or more acids or complexing agents, thus producing a stream having a concentrated less noble metal and producing a conductive stream containing a metal of interest. The conductive stream is then fed to a refining unit, wherein the conductive stream is separated in a stream of concentrated metal(s) of interest and a stream of concentrated conductive particles.

An apparatus for separating a mixture of two liquids of different densities which liquids are substantially insoluble in one another includes a hollow permeable body having a recess for receiving a first fluid which can flow from the recess through the permeable body to an exterior of the permeable body. A housing surrounds and is spaced from the exterior of the permeable body. The housing has an inlet for a second fluid and an outlet for a mixture of the first and second fluid. A baffle or baffles are provided in the space between the exterior of the permeable body and the housing, and to define a mixing channel in space between the exterior of the permeable body and the housing so that the second fluid can enter the housing inlet and flow through the mixing channel to the outlet, while picking up fluid on the exterior of the permeable body.

An apparatus for separating a mixture of two liquids of different densities which liquids are substantially insoluble in one another includes a hollow permeable body having a recess for receiving a first fluid which can flow from the recess through the permeable body to an exterior of the permeable body. A housing surrounds and is spaced from the exterior of the permeable body. The housing has an inlet for a second fluid and an outlet for a mixture of the first and second fluid. A baffle or baffles are provided in the space between the exterior of the permeable body and the housing, and to define a mixing channel in space between the exterior of the permeable body and the housing so that the second fluid can enter the housing inlet and flow through the mixing channel to the outlet, while picking up fluid on the exterior of the permeable body.

A hanging bar for supporting an anode (10) without lugs which is formed by a first lower portion of the body (11) and a second upper hanging portion (12) which comprises: two elongated splints (15) having a width similar to said second upper hanging portion (12); two plastic spacer pieces (33) connecting the ends of said two splints (15) being each one of said two plastic spacer pieces (33) formed by a base (28) from which two pillars (20) emerge, leaving between both pillars (20) a central housing zone (34), wherein on said base (28) and between said pillars (20) there is a planar surface (31) and on the inner portion of said base (28) there is an inclined surface (30), two pivoting supports (17), being each one of them housed in the central housing (34) of said two plastic spacer pieces (33), wherein said pivoting supports (17) are formed by a straight piece (43) which finishes in one of its ends in a bushing (27) in the center of which has a first hole (39) which matches second holes (38) of said pillars (20) and third holes (40) of said elongated splints (15) in such a way that within the holes (38, 39, 40) a short axis (21) is housed wherein said pivoting supports (17) pivot; and a pair of pivoting lugs (16) which are supported by said pivoting supports (17) being each pivoting lug (16) formed by a first elongated portion (36) and a second short portion (37) integrally connected to each other at 90° providing an L shape wherein said first portion (36) has first toothed notches (26) and wherein said second short portion (37) has second toothed notches (25).

A hanging bar for supporting an anode (10) without lugs which is formed by a first lower portion of the body (11) and a second upper hanging portion (12) which comprises: two elongated splints (15) having a width similar to said second upper hanging portion (12); two plastic spacer pieces (33) connecting the ends of said two splints (15) being each one of said two plastic spacer pieces (33) formed by a base (28) from which two pillars (20) emerge, leaving between both pillars (20) a central housing zone (34), wherein on said base (28) and between said pillars (20) there is a planar surface (31) and on the inner portion of said base (28) there is an inclined surface (30), two pivoting supports (17), being each one of them housed in the central housing (34) of said two plastic spacer pieces (33), wherein said pivoting supports (17) are formed by a straight piece (43) which finishes in one of its ends in a bushing (27) in the center of which has a first hole (39) which matches second holes (38) of said pillars (20) and third holes (40) of said elongated splints (15) in such a way that within the holes (38, 39, 40) a short axis (21) is housed wherein said pivoting supports (17) pivot; and a pair of pivoting lugs (16) which are supported by said pivoting supports (17) being each pivoting lug (16) formed by a first elongated portion (36) and a second short portion (37) integrally connected to each other at 90° providing an L shape wherein said first portion (36) has first toothed notches (26) and wherein said second short portion (37) has second toothed notches (25).

There is provided an invention relating to compositions and therapeutic uses of atomic quantum clusters (AQCs), in particular compositions consisting essentially of AQCs comprising 5 zero-valent transition metal atoms for use in the treatment of a cell proliferative disorder.