New dual temperature electrochemical methods and systems for the production of sodium metal from sodium polysulfides have been discovered. The technology provides high conductivity for sodium ions and extended service life for the electrochemical cell.

Various embodiments utilize selective sulfidation and/or desulfidation for such things as ore and concentrate cracking, metal separation, compound production, and recycling. Selective sulfidation can be used to selectively convert an oxide or other material in a feedstock to a sulfide or other sulfur-containing material, and selective desulfidation can be used to selectively convert a sulfide or other sulfur-containing material in a feedstock to an oxide or other material. In some cases, the material produced by such selective sulfidation/desulfidation of the feedstock can itself be novel and/or commercially valuable, while in other cases, such selective sulfidation/desulfidation can be followed by one or more processes to extract, isolate, or concentrate the converted material.

Various embodiments utilize selective sulfidation and/or desulfidation for such things as ore and concentrate cracking, metal separation, compound production, and recycling. Selective sulfidation can be used to selectively convert an oxide or other material in a feedstock to a sulfide or other sulfur-containing material, and selective desulfidation can be used to selectively convert a sulfide or other sulfur-containing material in a feedstock to an oxide or other material. In some cases, the material produced by such selective sulfidation/desulfidation of the feedstock can itself be novel and/or commercially valuable, while in other cases, such selective sulfidation/desulfidation can be followed by one or more processes to extract, isolate, or concentrate the converted material.

A device and a method for preparing pure titanium by electrolysis-chlorination-electrolysis, wherein the device includes a first electrolytic cell, a second electrolytic cell, a chlorination reactor and guide tubes. The Cl.sub.2 generated at the anode of the first electrolytic cell is introduced into a chlorination reactor containing the TiC.sub.xO.sub.y or TiC.sub.xO.sub.yN.sub.z raw materials via a guide tube, and a chlorination is carried out to generate TiCl.sub.4 gas at a temperature of 200 C.-600 C. The TiCl.sub.4 gas passes through a guide tube into a cathode of the second electrolytic cell, and then an electrolysis is performed to obtain the high-purity titanium in the second electrolytic cell. At the same time, the Cl.sub.2 generated at the anode of the second electrolytic cell is recycled into the chlorination reactor in the first electrolytic cell to continue to participate in the chlorination of TiC.sub.xO.sub.y or TiC.sub.xO.sub.yN.sub.z.

The invention is directed to a method of preparing NH.sub.3, and to a method of regenerating a metal M from MOR.sup.1, wherein O is oxygen and R.sup.1 is CH.sub.3 and/or C.sub.2H.sub.5.

The method for preparing NH.sub.3 comprises the steps of a) reacting a metal with nitrogen gas to produce a metal nitride, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Li, Be, Mg, Na, Mo, Al, Zn, Ca, Sr, and Ba, b) reacting the metal nitride obtained in step a) with R.sup.1OH to produce NH.sub.3 and MOR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 represents CH.sub.3 and/or C.sub.2H.sub.5, and c) regenerating the metal by electrolysing said MOR.sup.1 under formation of HCHO and/or CH.sub.3CHO.

The method of regenerating a metal M from MOR.sup.1, comprises electrolysing of MOR.sup.1 under formation of HCHO and/or CH.sub.3CHO, wherein R.sup.1 represents CH.sub.3 and/or C.sub.2H.sub.5.

The invention is directed to a method of preparing NH.sub.3, and to a method of regenerating a metal M from MOR.sup.1, wherein O is oxygen and R.sup.1 is CH.sub.3 and/or C.sub.2H.sub.5.

The method for preparing NH.sub.3 comprises the steps of a) reacting a metal with nitrogen gas to produce a metal nitride, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Li, Be, Mg, Na, Mo, Al, Zn, Ca, Sr, and Ba, b) reacting the metal nitride obtained in step a) with R.sup.1OH to produce NH.sub.3 and MOR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 represents CH.sub.3 and/or C.sub.2H.sub.5, and c) regenerating the metal by electrolysing said MOR.sup.1 under formation of HCHO and/or CH.sub.3CHO.

The method of regenerating a metal M from MOR.sup.1, comprises electrolysing of MOR.sup.1 under formation of HCHO and/or CH.sub.3CHO, wherein R.sup.1 represents CH.sub.3 and/or C.sub.2H.sub.5.

Systems and methods for extracting lithium metal ions from a lithium containing ore such as spodumene or lithium salts are provided. The lithium ore or salt is suspended in a hydroxide salt or eutectic and heated to produce a molten salt suspension that is used to electroplate lithiated transition metal oxides on an electrode. Lithium metal or lithium ions can be isolated from the deposited lithiated transition metal oxides. A second metal ore may be included in the suspension and processed with the lithium ore.

Systems and methods for extracting lithium metal ions from a lithium containing ore such as spodumene or lithium salts are provided. The lithium ore or salt is suspended in a hydroxide salt or eutectic and heated to produce a molten salt suspension that is used to electroplate lithiated transition metal oxides on an electrode. Lithium metal or lithium ions can be isolated from the deposited lithiated transition metal oxides. A second metal ore may be included in the suspension and processed with the lithium ore.

Waste water is treated by contacting it with sodium to form hydrogen which is then contacted with air in a combustion chamber to produce clean water and heat.

Waste water is treated by contacting it with sodium to form hydrogen which is then contacted with air in a combustion chamber to produce clean water and heat.