A process and system are disclosed for producing a lithium product from a solution comprising lithium nitrate. The solution comprising lithium nitrate can be obtained by reacting a lithium-containing metal silicate with nitric acid. The process and system comprise subjecting the solution comprising lithium nitrate to a first thermal treatment procedure (in one or more heated vessels) in which water and nitric acid (when present) are removed, and whereby a resultant lithium nitrate-rich crystal slurry is heated to produce a molten liquid. The process and system also comprise passing the molten liquid to a second thermal treatment procedure (in a further-heated vessel) in which the molten liquid is heated to substantially decompose lithium nitrate to lithium oxide.

A process and system are disclosed for producing a lithium product from a solution comprising lithium nitrate. The solution comprising lithium nitrate can be obtained by reacting a lithium-containing metal silicate with nitric acid. The process and system comprise subjecting the solution comprising lithium nitrate to a first thermal treatment procedure (in one or more heated vessels) in which water and nitric acid (when present) are removed, and whereby a resultant lithium nitrate-rich crystal slurry is heated to produce a molten liquid. The process and system also comprise passing the molten liquid to a second thermal treatment procedure (in a further-heated vessel) in which the molten liquid is heated to substantially decompose lithium nitrate to lithium oxide.

A process for startup of a nitric acid plant comprises approaching at least one operating point according to a process pressure and a volume flow of the nitric acid plant, adjusting at least a portion of the process pressure via at least one offgas expander, and adjusting at least a portion of the volume flow via at least one compressor. The process, where startup is markedly simplified compared to the prior art, is characterized in that for allowable operating points a lower limit is specified according to pressure and volume flow and an upper limit is specified according to pressure and volume flow and in that it is indicated when upon adjustment of the pressure and/or the volume flow the lower limit or the upper limit is attained.

A process for startup of a nitric acid plant comprises approaching at least one operating point according to a process pressure and a volume flow of the nitric acid plant, adjusting at least a portion of the process pressure via at least one offgas expander, and adjusting at least a portion of the volume flow via at least one compressor. The process, where startup is markedly simplified compared to the prior art, is characterized in that for allowable operating points a lower limit is specified according to pressure and volume flow and an upper limit is specified according to pressure and volume flow and in that it is indicated when upon adjustment of the pressure and/or the volume flow the lower limit or the upper limit is attained.

The present disclosure provides autocatalytic cycles and chemical reactor systems in which the autocatalytic cycles may be conducted. Also provided are methods of identifying the autocatalytic cycles and methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, e.g., to produce a desired product. Regarding the methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, such a method comprises: carrying out a comproportionation reaction by reacting a first reactant M.sub.1 and a second reactant M.sub.2 to form a product M.sub.3, wherein M.sub.1, M.sub.2, and M.sub.3 each comprise at least one chemical element in common and the product M.sub.3 is produced in stoichiometric excess; and carrying out an auxiliary reaction by converting the product M.sub.3 to M.sub.1 or M.sub.2.

The present disclosure provides autocatalytic cycles and chemical reactor systems in which the autocatalytic cycles may be conducted. Also provided are methods of identifying the autocatalytic cycles and methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, e.g., to produce a desired product. Regarding the methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, such a method comprises: carrying out a comproportionation reaction by reacting a first reactant M.sub.1 and a second reactant M.sub.2 to form a product M.sub.3, wherein M.sub.1, M.sub.2, and M.sub.3 each comprise at least one chemical element in common and the product M.sub.3 is produced in stoichiometric excess; and carrying out an auxiliary reaction by converting the product M.sub.3 to M.sub.1 or M.sub.2.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for effecting chemical conversion using a plasma generating device. Advantageously, the plasma generating device is configured to directly deliver a plasma to fluid within a reservoir in a manner sufficient to create supersonic flow within the fluid. Such systems and methods can enhance reaction efficiency and convenience. A method of providing a point-of-use fertilizer composition is disclosed; the method comprising: introducing a gas feed stream comprising air into a plasma generating device; operating the plasma generating device to produce a plasma output comprising NOx compounds; injecting the plasma output through an outlet component into a reservoir having a fluid contained therein in a manner sufficient to create 5 supersonic flow within the fluid, wherein the outlet component is submerged within the fluid and wherein the fluid comprises water; withdrawing a liquid product stream from the reservoir; and optionally adjusting the pH of the liquid product stream for use as a point-of-use fertilizer composition.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for effecting chemical conversion using a plasma generating device. Advantageously, the plasma generating device is configured to directly deliver a plasma to fluid within a reservoir in a manner sufficient to create supersonic flow within the fluid. Such systems and methods can enhance reaction efficiency and convenience. A method of providing a point-of-use fertilizer composition is disclosed; the method comprising: introducing a gas feed stream comprising air into a plasma generating device; operating the plasma generating device to produce a plasma output comprising NOx compounds; injecting the plasma output through an outlet component into a reservoir having a fluid contained therein in a manner sufficient to create 5 supersonic flow within the fluid, wherein the outlet component is submerged within the fluid and wherein the fluid comprises water; withdrawing a liquid product stream from the reservoir; and optionally adjusting the pH of the liquid product stream for use as a point-of-use fertilizer composition.

A process and system are disclosed for producing a lithium product from a solution comprising lithium nitrate. The solution comprising lithium nitrate can be obtained by reacting a lithium-containing metal silicate with nitric acid. The process and system comprise subjecting the solution comprising lithium nitrate to a first thermal treatment procedure (in one or more heated vessels) in which water and nitric acid (when present) are removed, and whereby a resultant lithium nitrate-rich crystal slurry is heated to produce a molten liquid. The process and system also comprise passing the molten liquid to a second thermal treatment procedure (in a further-heated vessel) in which the molten liquid is heated to substantially decompose lithium nitrate to lithium oxide.

A process and system are disclosed for producing a lithium product from a solution comprising lithium nitrate. The solution comprising lithium nitrate can be obtained by reacting a lithium-containing metal silicate with nitric acid. The process and system comprise subjecting the solution comprising lithium nitrate to a first thermal treatment procedure (in one or more heated vessels) in which water and nitric acid (when present) are removed, and whereby a resultant lithium nitrate-rich crystal slurry is heated to produce a molten liquid. The process and system also comprise passing the molten liquid to a second thermal treatment procedure (in a further-heated vessel) in which the molten liquid is heated to substantially decompose lithium nitrate to lithium oxide.