A reactor and method for production of nanostructures, including metal oxide nanowires or nanoparticles, are provided. The reactor includes a regulated metal powder delivery system in communication with a dielectric tube; a plasma-forming gas inlet, whereby a plasma-forming gas is delivered substantially longitudinally into the dielectric tube; a sheath gas inlet, whereby a sheath gas is delivered into the dielectric tube; and a microwave energy generator coupled to the dielectric tube, whereby microwave energy is delivered into a plasma-forming gas. The method for producing nanostructures includes providing a reactor to form nanostructures and collecting the formed nanostructures, optionally from a filter located downstream of the dielectric tube.

A method and system for producing hydrogen gas, heat and an oxide component using water splitting process is disclosed. The system comprises a dry first chamber containing a passivating-oxide preventing agent that receives a solid material feedstock and dissolves the solid material feedstock in the passivating-oxide preventing agent. The passivating-oxide preventing agent becomes saturated with the solid material in the first chamber and is then transferred to a second chamber without contact with water. In the second chamber, the solid material saturated in the passivating-oxide preventing agent reacts with the water so as to generate hydrogen gas, an oxide component and heat. Following the reaction, the solid material depleted passivating-oxide preventing agent and water is recycled to be re-used in the water splitting process.

A method and system for producing hydrogen gas, heat and an oxide component using water splitting process is disclosed. The system comprises a dry first chamber containing a passivating-oxide preventing agent that receives a solid material feedstock and dissolves the solid material feedstock in the passivating-oxide preventing agent. The passivating-oxide preventing agent becomes saturated with the solid material in the first chamber and is then transferred to a second chamber without contact with water. In the second chamber, the solid material saturated in the passivating-oxide preventing agent reacts with the water so as to generate hydrogen gas, an oxide component and heat. Following the reaction, the solid material depleted passivating-oxide preventing agent and water is recycled to be re-used in the water splitting process.

In a method for capturing carbon, sulfur, and/or nitrogen from a target source, a matrix including activated metal dispersed in a metal activating agent is provided. The target source may be or include a carbon, sulfur, and/or nitrogen target compound. The target source is contacted with the matrix, wherein the activated metal reacts with the target source to produce elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, elemental nitrogen, and/or one or more compounds transformed from the target compound(s). The matrix may be produced by contacting a metal with the metal activating agent, and maintaining contact between the metal and the metal activating agent for a period of time sufficient for metal atoms from the solid metal to disperse in the metal activating agent. The reaction may also produce a metal compound. The activated metal may also be utilized in alkylation and other synthesis processes.

In a method for capturing carbon, sulfur, and/or nitrogen from a target source, a matrix including activated metal dispersed in a metal activating agent is provided. The target source may be or include a carbon, sulfur, and/or nitrogen target compound. The target source is contacted with the matrix, wherein the activated metal reacts with the target source to produce elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, elemental nitrogen, and/or one or more compounds transformed from the target compound(s). The matrix may be produced by contacting a metal with the metal activating agent, and maintaining contact between the metal and the metal activating agent for a period of time sufficient for metal atoms from the solid metal to disperse in the metal activating agent. The reaction may also produce a metal compound. The activated metal may also be utilized in alkylation and other synthesis processes.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal oxide containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursor and an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to a temperature at which reactions that result in the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal oxide containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursor and an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to a temperature at which reactions that result in the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

The subject of the present invention is a method for processing metallized packaging materials, especially beverage cartons, or blister packaging.

According to the invention, the aluminum is dissolved with the aid of acid and separated from the plastic. The metal-containing acid solution then undergoes pyrohydrolytic treatment and the acid is thus recovered. The aluminum can be recovered as valuable aluminum oxide.

Provided herein is a process for producing a high-purity alumina, comprising the steps of: (a) sublimation of anhydrous aluminium chloride at a predetermined temperature to recover pure aluminium chloride; (b) dissolving aluminium chloride from step (a) in water to obtain aluminium chloride solution; (c) introducing HCl gas into aluminium chloride solution of step (b) to crystallize aluminium chloride hexahydrate; and (d) calcining aluminium chloride hexahydrate of step (c) to obtain high purity alumina.

Provided herein is a process for producing a high-purity alumina, comprising the steps of: (a) sublimation of anhydrous aluminium chloride at a predetermined temperature to recover pure aluminium chloride; (b) dissolving aluminium chloride from step (a) in water to obtain aluminium chloride solution; (c) introducing HCl gas into aluminium chloride solution of step (b) to crystallize aluminium chloride hexahydrate; and (d) calcining aluminium chloride hexahydrate of step (c) to obtain high purity alumina.