The present invention relates to heterogeneous acid catalysts comprising or consisting of mixed metal salts, of lithium and aluminum phosphates and sulfates, and combinations with metallic cations, such as magnesium, titanium, zinc, zirconium and gallium, to provide adequate Lewis acidity; organic or inorganic porosity promoters, such as polysaccharides; and agglomerates, such as clays, kaolin and metal oxides of the type M.sub.xO.sub.y, where; M=Al, Mg, Sr, Zr or Ti, and other metals of groups IA, IIA and IVB, x=1 or 2 and y=2 or 3, for the formation of particles. A process is disclosed for obtaining from the catalyst by the hydrolysis of aluminum lithium hydride with water and oxygenated solvent, such as an ether. The catalysts are used in batch reactor and continuous flow systems in reactions that require moderate Lewis acidity, such as refining, petrochemical and general chemistry, including the transesterification of glycerides to produce alkyl esters.

A method for producing a mixed salt of sodium and aluminum includes providing a solution comprising water, sodium chloride and sulfuric acid, heating the solution to a temperature between 180 F. and 300 F. so that the sodium chloride reacts with the sulfuric acid to form sodium bisulfate and hydrochloric acid and then continue heating until the solution is essentially free of the hydrochloric acid, adding aluminum or an aluminum compound to the solution to form the mixed salt comprising a sodium aluminum sulfate compound and solidifying the mixed salt to form the sodium aluminum sulfate compound.

Digestion of impure alumina with sulfuric acid dissolves all constituents except silica. Resulting sulfates, produced from contaminants in the impure alumina, remain in solution at approximately 90 C. Hot filtration separates silica. Solution flow over metallic iron reduces ferric sulfate to ferrous sulfate. Controlled ammonia addition promotes hydrolysis and precipitation of hydrated titania from titanyl sulfate that is removed by filtration. Addition of ammonium sulfate forms ferrous ammonium sulfate and ammonium aluminum sulfate solutions. Alum is preferentially separated by crystallization. Addition of ammonium bicarbonate to ammonium alum solution precipitates ammonium aluminum carbonate which may be heated to produce alumina, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. The remaining iron rich liquor also contains magnesium sulfate. Addition of oxalic acid generates insoluble ferrous oxalate which is thermally decomposed to ferrous oxide. Carbon monoxide reduces the ferrous oxide to metallic iron. Further oxalic acid addition precipitates magnesium oxalate which is thermally decomposed to magnesium oxide.

Hydrometallurgical processes are provided for the recovery of metal values, including cesium, from epithermal mineral deposits, including pharmacosiderite-containing ores. Aspects of the process involve the preferential formation of a cesium alum, and preparation of cesium hydroxide from the cesium alum.

Hydrometallurgical processes are provided for the recovery of metal values, including cesium, from epithermal mineral deposits, including pharmacosiderite-containing ores. Aspects of the process involve the preferential formation of a cesium alum, and preparation of cesium hydroxide from the cesium alum.

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

Hydrometallurgical processes are provided for the recovery of metal values, including cesium, from epithermal mineral deposits, including pharmacosiderite-containing ores. Aspects of the process involve the preferential formation of a cesium alum, and preparation of cesium hydroxide from the cesium alum.

Methods of recovering lithium from glass include crushing the glass to produce glass particles and contacting the glass particles with an aqueous leaching solution at a leaching temperature greater than ambient temperature and less than the boiling temperature of the aqueous leaching solution to produce a leachate slurry. The glass particles include lithium. The aqueous leaching solution includes sulfuric acid in water or sodium hydroxide in water. Contacting the glass particles with the aqueous leaching solution leaches greater than or equal to about 50% of the lithium out of the glass particles. The methods further comprise separating the leachate slurry to produce a solid residue and a leachate, the leachate comprising the lithium leached from the glass particles. The method further include recovering the lithium from the leachate through precipitation.

Methods of recovering lithium from glass include crushing the glass to produce glass particles and contacting the glass particles with an aqueous leaching solution at a leaching temperature greater than ambient temperature and less than the boiling temperature of the aqueous leaching solution to produce a leachate slurry. The glass particles include lithium. The aqueous leaching solution includes sulfuric acid in water or sodium hydroxide in water. Contacting the glass particles with the aqueous leaching solution leaches greater than or equal to about 50% of the lithium out of the glass particles. The methods further comprise separating the leachate slurry to produce a solid residue and a leachate, the leachate comprising the lithium leached from the glass particles. The method further include recovering the lithium from the leachate through precipitation.