Column leaching process of rare earth and aluminum from weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore with ammonium salts

In order to better understand the leaching process of rare earth （RE） and aluminum （Al） from the weathered crust elutiondepositedRE ore, the mass transfer of RE and Al in column leaching was investigated using the chromatographic plate theory. Theresults show that a higher initial ammonium concentration in a certain range can enhance the mass transfer process. pH of leachingagent in the range of 2 to 8 almost has no effect on the mass transfer efficiency of RE, but plays a positive role in the mass transferefficiency of Al under strong acidic condition （pH〈4）. There is an optimum flow rate that makes the highest mass transfer efficiency.The optimum leaching condition of RE is the leaching agent pH of 4？8, ammonium concentration of 0.4 mol/L and flow rate of0.5 mL/min. The mass transfer efficiencies of RE and Al both follow the order： （NH4）2SO4〈NH4Cl〈NH4NO3, implying thecomplexing ability of anion.

The Surface Morphologies and Spectroscopy Analysis of VC Coatings on the Substrate of Cr12MoV Prepared by TD Process after Salt Spray

The normal temperature corrosion of VC coating on the substrate of Cr12MoV prepared by TD process was tested in 5% NaCl aqueous solution, its surface morphologies and corrosion components after salt spray were observed with SEM and EDS, respectively, and the effects of salt spray on micro-structures of VC coating were analyzed. Moreover, the invalidation mechanism of VC coating after salt spray and its effect on substrate material were discussed. The experimental results shown that the uniformity and integrity of VC coating surface are destroyed by salt spray for 120 h, a large number of the pits are produced on the coating surface, and the coating falls off, which speeds corrosion breakage of its substrate; the oxidated film on its surface becomes rougher, broken and discontinuous, and falls off easily, which reduce the ability of resistance salt spray; the failure modes of VC coating after salt spray are expressed with falling off of oxidated film, stress concentration and pore effect and so on, the corrosion breakage of oxidated film is the corrosion result of deoxidization corrosion from oxygen and HCl produced by NaCl and vapor.

Interactions of molten salts with cathode products in the FFC Cambridge Process

Molten salts play multiple important roles in the electrolysis of solid metal compounds,particularly oxides and sulfides,for the extraction of metals or alloys.Some of these roles are positive in assisting the extraction of metals,such as dissolving the oxide or sulfide anions,and transporting them to the anode for discharging,and offering the high temperature to lower the kinetic barrier to break the metal-oxygen or metal-sulfur bond.However,molten salts also have unfavorable effects,including electronic conductivity and significant capability of dissolving oxygen and carbon dioxide gases.In addition,although molten salts are relatively simple in terms of composition,physical properties,and decomposition reactions at inert electrodes,in comparison with aqueous electrolytes,the high temperatures of molten salts may promote unwanted electrode-electrolyte interactions.This article reviews briefly and selectively the research and development of the F ray-F arthing-Chen(FFC)Cambridge Process in the past two decades,focusing on observations,understanding,and solutions of various interactions between molten salts and cathodes at different reduction states,including perovskitization,non-wetting of molten salts on pure metals,carbon contamination of products,formation of oxychlorides and calcium intermetallic compounds,and oxygen transfer from the air to the cathode product mediated by oxide anions in the molten salt.

Recharge processes limit the resource elements of Qarhan Salt Lake in western China and analogues in the evaporite basins

The Qarhan Salt Lake(QSL)in western China is K-Sr-Li-B-Br-Rb multi-resource coexisting Quaternary brine deposits.Significant research efforts have been directed to the origin of K-Li resources and evolutionary history of the QSL.However,the study on the different sources,recharge processes,and differential distribution patterns for these resource elements in brine deposits is still inadequate.Therefore,we measured Li-B concentrations and H-O-Sr-B isotopic compositions of different waters(river,spring,and brine)from the QSL,combined with the reported K-Sr contents and multiple isotopes of waters,to discuss the recharge,source of K-Sr-Li-B and their spatial distributions,by analogy with other evaporite basins in the world.The results show that:(1)the K-Li-B-Sr elemental concentrations of brines and their spatial distribution in the QSL are diverse;(2)high K and Sr values are distributed in Dabuxun and Qarhan sections,respectively,which are controlled by Ca-Cl springs in the northern QSL;on the contrary,Li and B values are enriched in the Bieletan section and are charged by thermal springs in the Kunlun Mountains;(3)the formation and evolution of Ca-Cl and thermal springs constrain fundamentally on the recharge processes of K-Sr and Li-B elements in the terminal salt lakes of the Qaidam Basin(QB);(4)some analogues of recharge processes limit the resource elements of the QSL and other salt lakes(Da Qaidam,Lop Nur,Zhabuye,Atacama,and Guayatayoc)in the world provides a reference for the resource exploration in deep formation waters in the evaporite basins.

Mechanism of Salt Migration Driven by Tectonic Processes:Insights from Physical and Numerical Modeling

1 Introduction Physical and numerical models are constructed to investigate the evolution and mechanism of salt migration driven by tectonic processes.In recent years,we have designed and ran series of models to simulate salt

The Electrode Process of Titanium Subchlorides and Electrodeposition of Titanium in LiCl-KCl Fused Salts

The electrochemical behaviour of Ti(Ⅲ) and Ti(Ⅱ) in LiCl-KCl eutectic system has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.The cathodic reduction of Ti(Ⅲ) and Ti(Ⅱ) has been found to be stepwise:Ti(Ⅲ)+e=Ti(Ⅱ),Ti(Ⅱ)+2e =Ti.The reductions are diffusion controlled.When an equilibrium between Ti subchlorides and excess metallic Ti was estab- lished by reaction 2TiCl_3+Ti=3TiCl_2 in LiCl-KCl melt at 475℃,then the average valence of Ti is less than 2.1.In this system the diffusion coefficient for Ti(Ⅱ) ion was calculated as D=2.5×10^(-5)cm^2·s^(-1).The chronoamperometric studies showed that the initial nucleation stage and growth of nuclei were observed when Ti ions were electrodeposited on low carbon steel substrate. The investigation of nucleation of metal may provide the method for obtaining smooth,coherent and adherent deposits of titanium.

Application of Salt Whey from Egyptian Ras Cheese in Processed Cheese Making

The objective of this study was to evaluate characteristics of processed cheese made from salt Ras cheese whey and young Cheddar containing exopolysaccharide producing cultures (EPS) as compared with those in cheese made from EPS-negative cheeses. Processed cheeses were manufactured using young (1 day) or 1-month-old EPS-positive or EPSnegative Cheddar cheese and replacing the added water by Ras cheese whey or ultrafiltrated (UF) whey. Moisture and fat of processed cheese were standardized to 54% and 23%, respectively. Exopolysaccharide-positive processed cheese was softer, less chewy and gummy than the EPS-negative cheeses. The hardness and chewiness were lower in processed cheeses made from 1-month-old Cheddar than in the corresponding cheeses made from 1-day-old Cheddar cheese. Sensory scores for texture of EPS positive processed cheeses were higher than those of the EPS-negative cheeses. Generally, processed cheese made from replacing all added water with whey received higher scores in flavor and overall than did the corresponding cheeses made without whey. The obtained results are showing promise for application of salt whey in processed cheese making.

Study on the Isothermal Evaporation Process at 5℃ with the Brine of Laguocuo Salt Lake

1 Introduction Tibet has nurmerous salt lakes.Laguocuo is one of the salt lakes,which is located to the sorthern of Ali Plateau,31°59′02″N-32°04′08″N,84°02′03″E-84°12′03″E.Its lake water is rich in potassium,magnesium,lithium,boron,rubidium,cesium and other resources.The study of

Salts as Indicators for the Interior Processes of Solid Planets

1 Introduction It has been noticed that salts link the Earth’s spheres(Zheng,2007),and rich information must have been recorded by salts on the geological processes they involved in.Salts have been found on Mars,Europa,Enceladus,and salts might be common on planets(Zheng et al.,2013).Thus salts can be potential indicators for studying the geological history of planets.From the beginning of the 21st century,much new

A preliminary site selection system for underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns and its application in Pingdingshan,China

Large‐scale underground hydrogen storage(UHS)provides a promising method for increasing the role of hydrogen in the process of carbon neutrality and energy transition.Of all the existing storage deposits,salt caverns are recognized as ideal sites for pure hydrogen storage.Evaluation and optimization of site selection for hydrogen storage facilities in salt caverns have become significant issues.In this article,the software CiteSpace is used to analyze and filter hot topics in published research.Based on a detailed classification and analysis,a“four‐factor”model for the site selection of salt cavern hydrogen storage is proposed,encompassing the dynamic demands of hydrogen energy,geological,hydrological,and ground factors of salt mines.Subsequently,20 basic indicators for comprehensive suitability grading of the target site were screened using the analytic hierarchy process and expert survey methods were adopted,which provided a preliminary site selection system for salt cavern hydrogen storage.Ultimately,the developed system was applied for the evaluation of salt cavern hydrogen storage sites in the salt mines of Pingdingshan City,Henan Province,thereby confirming its rationality and effectiveness.This research provides a feasible method and theoretical basis for the site selection of UHS in salt caverns in China.

Electrochemical behavior of Li incorporation in Al in LiTFSI/KTf molten salt electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of lithium incorporated in aluminum electrode in LiTFSI/KTf （lithium bis （trifluoromethylsulfonyl） amide/CF3SO3K） molten salt electrolyte was studied by a variety of electrochemical techniques including cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry. The reduction reaction is found involving a nucleation process on the aluminum electrode. The results of chronopotentiometry indicate that the process of lithium incorporation in aluminum is smooth and uniform. The galvanostatic cycle experiments show that the coulombic efficiency is very low in the first cycle, which is mainly due to the ＂retention capacity＂ of Li-Al alloys. This characteristic is testified by the results of XRD and SEM. The results of chronoamperometry indicate that the incorporation of lithium into aluminum for the formation of a-phase Li-Al alloy is limited by its diffusion rate, with a measured diffusion coefficient of 1.8× 10^-10 cm2/s.

20 Years Advances in Preparation of Potassium Salts from Potassic Rocks:A Review

Long-term research on key techniques of clean utilization of potassic rocks from over twenty localities has been performed to settle the shortage of soluble potassium resources in China. The results show that K-feldspar as the principal mineral enriched in potassium could be decomposed in the media of Ca（OH）_2, NaOH, KOH-H_2O solution via hydrothermal treatment, into tobermorite, hydroxylcancrinite, and kalsilite respectively. By further processing, these compounds are feasible for being as slow-release carrier of potassium nitrate, extracting alumina, and preparing farm-oriented fertilizers of potassium sulphate and nitrate. Correspondingly, the filtrate is KOH,（Na, K）_2SiO_3, and K_2SiO_3 solution, from which potassium carbonate, sulphate, nitrate, and phosphate could be easily fabricated. As NaO H and KOH are recycled in the processing chains by causticizing sodium and/or potassium metasilicate solutions, the hydrothermal alkaline techniques as developed in this research have several advantages as lower consumption of disposable mineral resources and energy, maximized utilization of potassic mineral resources, as well as clean productions etc. Based on the approaches presented in this paper, the technical system of efficiently utilizing insoluble potassium resources has been established. The hydrothermal alkaline methods are feasible to be industrialized on a large scale, thus resulting in decreasing imports of potash fertilizers, improving the pattern of potassium fertilizer consumption, and enhancing the supplying guarantee of potassium resource in China.

Effect of an Alien Species Spartina alterniflora Loisel on Biogeochemical Processes of Intertidal Ecosystem in the Jiangsu Coastal Region,China

Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.

Hydrochemical Dynamic Characteristics and Evolution of Underground Brine in the Mahai Salt Lake of the Qaidam Basin Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The mineral rock salts present in the Mahai Salt Lake of the Qaidam basin exhibit high solubilities in water. In addition, the multicomponent underground brine exhibits a high salinity and is easily precipitated. In the natural state, brine transport in the brine layer is extremely slow, and the brine is in a relatively stable chemical equilibrium state with the rock salt media. However, during mining, both the seepage and the chemical fields fluctuate significantly, thereby disrupting the equilibrium and leading to variations in the chemical composition and dynamic characteristics of the brine. Therefore, we selected underground brine from the Mahai Salt Lake, collecting a total of 183 brine samples over three stages of mining（i.e., the early stage of underground brine extraction, the initial stage of mining, and the later stage of mining）. Using a range of analytical techniques, the chemical dynamics of the underground brine water and its evolution were systematically studied. We found that evaporation and enrichment were the main mechanisms of underground brine evolution in the Mahai Salt Lake, with cation exchange and mineral dissolution/precipitation being key factors in determining the dynamic characteristics and evolution of the brine.

Cyclic metallurgical process for extracting Ⅴ and Cr from vanadium slag: Part Ⅰ. Separation and recovery of Ⅴ from chromium-containing vanadate solution

The separation and recovery of V from chromium-containing vanadate solution were investigated by a cyclic metallurgical process including selective precipitation of vanadium,vanadium leaching and preparation of vanadium pentoxide.By adding Ca(OH)_(2) and ball milling,not only the V in the solution can be selectively precipitated,but also the leaching kinetics of the precipitate is significantly improved.The precipitation efficiency of V is 99.59%by adding Ca(OH)_(2) according to Ca/V molar ratio of 1.75:1 into chromium-containing vanadate solution and ball milling for 60 min at room temperature,while the content of Cr in the precipitate is 0.04%.The leaching rate of V reaches 99.35%by adding NaHCO_(3) into water according to NaHCO_(3)/V molar ratio of 2.74:1 to leach V from the precipitate with L/S ratio of 4:1 mL/g and stirring for 60 min at room temperature.The crystals of NH_(4)VO_(3) are obtained by adjusting the leaching solution pH to be 8.0 with CO2 and then adding NH_(4)HCO_(3) according to NH_(4)HCO_(3)/NaVO_(3) molar ratio of 1:1 and stirring for 8 h at room temperature.After filtration,the crystallized solution containing ammonia is reused to leach the precipitate of calcium vanadates,and the leaching efficiency of V is>99%after stirring for 1 h at room temperature.Finally,the product of V_(2)O_(5) with purity of 99.6%is obtained by calcining the crystals at 560℃ for 2 h.

Cyclic metallurgical process for extracting V and Cr from vanadium slag: Part Ⅱ. Separation and recovery of Cr from vanadium precipitated solution

Cyclic metallurgical process for separation and recovery of Cr from vanadium precipitated solution by precipitation with PbCO_(3)and leaching with Na_(2)CO_(3)was investigated.The concentration of Cr residue in the solution decreases from 2.360 to 0.001 g/L by adding PbCO_(3)into vanadium precipitated solution according to Pb/Cr molar ratio of 2.5,adjusting the pH to 3.0 and stirring for 180 min at 30℃.Then,the precipitates were leached with hot Na_(2)CO_(3)solution to obtain leaching solution containing Na_(2)CrO_(4)and leaching residue containing PbCO_(3).The leaching efficiency of Cr reaches 96.43%by adding the precipitates into 0.5 mol/L Na_(2)CO_(3)solution with the mass ratio of liquid to solid(L/S)of 10:1 mL/g and stirring for 60 min under pH 9.5 at 70℃.After filtration,leaching residue is reused in Cr precipitation and leaching solution is used to circularly leach the Cr precipitates until Na_(2)CrO_(4)approaches the saturation.Finally,the product of Na_(2)CrO_(4)·4H_(2)O is obtained by evaporation and crystallization of leaching solution.

Two-stage treatment process of pickling wastewater in the cold-rolling production of stainless steel

Based on the characteristics of pickling wastewater in the cold-rolling production of stainless steel, a new processing route, featuring source sludge reduction, wastewater two-stage treatment, heavy metal-contained sludge and calcium salt sludge separating recovery, was proposed. As shown by the research results, after the two-stage process treatment, the effluent water can steadily reach the emission standards, the sludge yield can be decreased by more than 8% ; within the heavy metal-contained sludge, the recovery rates of Fc,Cr and Ni can either reach or surpass 95% ,and the total content ofF and S can drop to around 3%. Therefore,the sludge in the front part can be used as ferric dust. In the calcium salt sludge ,the recovery rate of F can either reach or surpass 85% ,and the total contents of Fe,Cr and Ni can fall below 0.5%. So the sludge in the rear part can be used as fluorgypsum or fluorite. Meanwhile,the results of the analysis on heavy metals leaching toxicity and morphologic distribution indicate that the two kinds of sectionalized sludge are not classified as hazardous wastes, which have a stable behavior and better utilization values compared with the former mixed- sludge.

Electrolysis of Magnesia from Bischofite in Qinghai Salt Lakes

A new technique of magnesia electrolysis from bischofite in Qinghai salt lakes was investigated experimentally. Magnesia was prepared by ammonia processing. On an electrolysis cell of about 100 A capacity at 700degreesC, magnesium metal was obtained with a current efficiency of 90.23% and a specific energy consumption of 11.5 kW(.)h. The new technique has the advantages of energy saving, high current efficiency and environmental amity.

Nano Si preparation by constant cell voltage electrolysis of FFC-Cambridge Process in molten CaCl_2

Using FFC-Cambridge Process to prepare Si from SiO2 is a promising method to prepare nanostructured and highly pure silicon for solar cells.However,the method still has many problems unsolved and the controlling effect of the cell voltage on silicon product is not clear.Here we report in this article that nano cluster-like silicon product with purity of 99.95%has been prepared by complete conversion of raw material SiO2,quartz glass plate,using constant cell voltage electrolysis FFC-Cambridge Process.By analysis of XRD,EDS,TEM,HRTEM and ICP-AES as well as the discussion from the thermodynamics calculation,the morphology and components of the product based on the change of cell voltage are clarified.It is clear that pure silicon could be prepared at the cell voltage of 1.7 2.1 V in this reaction system.The silicon material have cluster-like structure which are made of silicon nanoparticles in 20 100 nm size.Interestingly,the cluster-like nano structure of the silicon can be tuned by the used cell voltage.The purity,yield and the energy cost of silicon product prepared at the optimized cell voltage are discussed.The purity of the silicon product could be further improved,hence this method is promising for the preparation of solar grade silicon in future.

Preparation and Magnetic Property of La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)MnO_3 Nanorod by Combination Sol-Gel with Molten Salt

La0.7Sr0.3MnO3（LSMO） nanorods were synthesized by a method combining sol-gel with molten salts at 950 ℃ for 10 h, which employed KCl＋NaCl（mass ratio 4：1） as eutectic molten salts. The morphologies and magnetic properties of the resulting LSMO nanorods were investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, and vibrating sample magnetometer（VSM） measurements. It was found that the obtained perovskite manganite LSMO was a uniform nanorod with a diameter of about 50 nm and a length of longer than 500 rim. The Curie temperature（To） of the LSMO nanorod used here was 262 K, much lower than that of bulky single crystal LSMO（360 K）. The low Curie temperature might be a result of the great disorder near the grain boundary, which could be observed clearly from the TEM picture.