Nickel commercial production

Butene. Commercial production of 1-butene, as well as the manufacture of other linear a-olefins with even carbon atom numbers, is based on the ethylene oligomerization reaction. The reaction can be catalyzed by triethyl aluminum at 180—280°C and 15—30 MPa ( 150 300 atm) pressure (6) or by nickel-based catalysts at 80—120°C and 7—15 MPa pressure (7—9). Another commercially developed method includes ethylene dimerization with the Ziegler dimerization catalysts, (OR) —AIR, where R represents small alkyl groups (10). In addition, several processes are used to manufacture 1-butene from mixed butylene streams in refineries (11) (see BuTYLENEs). 

Alkyl dimethyl and dialkylmethyl tertiary amines are commercially available. These amines are prepared by reductive methylation of primary and secondary amines using formaldehyde and nickel catalysts (1,3,47,48). The asymmetrical tertiary amines are used as reactive intermediates for preparing many commercial products. 

A number of manufacturers started commercial production of nickel—MH cells in 1991 (31—35). The initial products are "AA"-size, "Sub-C", and "C -size cells constmcted in a fashion similar to small sealed nickel —cadmium cells. Table 6 compares the Ovonics experimental cell and a similar sized nickel—cadmium cell. Ovonics also deUvered experimental electric vehicle cells, 22 A-h size, for testing. The charge—discharge of "AA" cells produced in Japan (Matsushita) are compared in Figure 22. 

Multilayer boards, which use multiple interior laminates of plastic and copper, now comprise over half of the value of production, though much less on a surface area basis. Surface mount technologies demand extreme flatness and reproducibiHty from surfaces. Greater packing density has led to commercial production of finer lines and holes, often less than 50 p.m and 500 p.m, respectively. Electroless gold over electroless nickel—phosphoms, or electroless nickel—boron alone, is often used as a topcoating for wire bonding or improved solderabiHty. 

Nickel can be used as an anode for fluorine generation, but losses due to electrolytic corrosion make it impractical for commercial production. 

Catalysts - A commercial Raney nickel (RNi-C) and a laboratory Raney nickel (RNi-L) were used in this study. RNi-C was supplied in an aqueous suspension (pH < 10.5, A1 < 7 wt %, particle size 0.012-0.128 mm). Prior to the activity test, RNi-C catalyst (2 g wet, 1.4 g dry, aqueous suspension) was washed three times with ethanol (20 ml) and twice with cyclohexane (CH) (20 mL) in order to remove water from the catalyst. RCN was then exchanged for the cyclohexane and the catalyst sample was introduced into the reactor as a suspension in the substrate. RNi-L catalyst was prepared from a 50 % Ni-50 % A1 alloy (0.045-0.1 mm in size) by treatment with NaOH which dissolved most of the Al. This catalyst was stored in passivated and dried form. Prior to the activity test, the catalyst (0.3 g) was treated in H2 at 250 °C for 2 h and then introduced to the reactor under CH. Raney cobalt (RCo), a commercial product, was treated likewise. Alumina supported Ru, Rh, Pd and Pt catalysts (powder) containing 5 wt. % of metal were purchased from Engelhard in reduced form. Prior to the activity test, catalyst (1.5 g) was treated in H2 at 250 °C for 2 h and then introduced to the reactor under solvent. 10 % Ni and 10 % Co/y-Al203 (200 m2/g) catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation using nitrate precursors. After drying the samples were calcined and reduced at 500 °C for 2 h and were then introduced to the reactor under CH. 

Preparation should be in nickel or silver containers because rubidium hydroxide attacks glass. The solution is concentrated by partial evaporation. The commercial product is usually a 50% aqueous solution. 

Electrolysis of fused sodium hydroxide has heen achieved successfully with a Castner cell. The Castner cell was used in commercial production prior to introduction of Downs cell. The cell is operated at a bath temperature 320 10°C, at 9.0 0.5 amp current and a voltage of 4.3 to 5.0 V. The cathode current density is about 10.9 kA/m2. The cell consists of a copper cathode and a nickel anode and a cylindrical iron-gauge diaphragm placed between the electrodes. The cell reactions are as follows ... 

Contains levels of nickel which vary widely in content. Commercial products include Invar and Permalloy. These alloys are used in certain high-level technology applications such as transoceanic cabling and other applications whereby machining tolerances are exact, such as clocks and variable condensers. 

Although at least four different technologies [cold rolling, flame spraying, Zn and A1 melt dipping, cathodic deposition of Ni/Zn precursor alloys (76)] have been described, only cold rolling and cathodic deposition of precursor alloys are used for commercial production of Raney-nickel-coated cathodes. 

A commercial nickel-zinc battery is considered to be the most likely candidate for electric vehicle development. If the problems of limited life and high installation cost ( 100-l50/kW-h) are solved, a nickel-zinc EV battery could provide twice the driving range for an equivalent weight lead-acid battery. Work is developmental there is no commercial production of nickel-zinc batteries. 

Preparation of Cobalt.—The metallurgy of cobalt is complicated by the fact that cobalt ores invariably contain a certain amount of nickel. Since these two metals closely resemble one another in their chemical properties it will be evident that their complete separation on a commercial scale is a matter of considerable difficulty. It is not usually required, however. The details of the actual methods employed in the commercial production of cobalt are kept fairly secret, more particularly as regards the initial stages of the preparation of the crude oxide. We shall, therefore, content ourselves by giving in outline accounts of a few different methods that may be employed. It is convenient to discuss the subject in three sections, namely ... 

In the commercial production of cobalt the oxide is usually heated with charcoal in the manner described for nickel. 

Ooourrenoe of Nickel—History—Preparation in the Laboratory—Commercial Production—Metallurgy of Niokel—Properties—Colloidal Niokel—Atomic Weight—Uses—Eleotro-deposition—Alloys. 

The cellulose for column chromatography use (Macherey Nagel, MNIOO) was utilized in this study. The nickel catalyst was a commercial product (ME Chemcat, Ni-5132P), and the oxide catalysts were prepared in the Takahashi Lab. of the Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Table I shows the oxide catalysts used in this study. 

Lead-acid batteries received a high score by virtue of being a commercial product with an established recycling infrastructure. Nickel/metal hydride and nickel/cadmium are also widely available commercially and are routinely recycled. Zinc batteries are sold in large quantities and little or no hazardous waste and pollutants are produced by processing. Most of the battery technologies farther down the list are ranked lower because the batteries are not commercial products and recycling processes are not developed any further than a bench scale. In the case of sodium/sulflir batteries, the market outlook for recovered products is unfavorable. 

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