Alkaline extraction compositions and methods of making and using same

Abstract

A method of alkaline extraction comprising contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition comprising one or more sugar oxidation products to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for separation of one or more target compounds from the source material where the percent recovery of the one or more target compounds is increased by from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the amount recovered in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition. A method of bleaching a material comprising contacting the material with (1) a peroxide and (2) an alkaline extraction composition comprising (i) one or more sugar oxidation products and (ii) a chelating agent to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for a reduction in a rate of peroxide degradation of from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the rate of peroxide degradation in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

Description

ALKALINE EXTRACTION COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAMECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 514,391 filed July 19, 2023 entitled “ALKALINE EXTRACTION COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to biobased additives. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to biobased additives for use in purification processes.BACKGROUND

[0003] Numerous industrial processes employ one or more steps where the pH of a composition is increased before they are further processed or released as final products. Increasing the pH of the composition can increase the solubility of certain compounds, thereby increasing the susceptibility of these materials to separation and removal. For example, metal contamination is one source of impurities that can compromise any number of industrial processes. Alkaline extraction is often used for example in (i) abatement of metals downstream of purification plants; (ii) recovery of metals such as gold palladium zinc copper and nickel; (iii) purification of industrial process baths; (iv) treatment of wastewater from the metallurgical industry; (v) reducing tenderization of fibers and (vi) removal of heavy metals from primary water.

[0004] Alkaline extractions generally use high amounts of caustic and water. Caustic herein refers to highly alkaline chemicals that can cause severe burns to the mouth and digestive tract when swallowed. Alkaline extraction compositions contains caustic agents along with other materials that are typically derived from fossil fuels and / or are synthesized using environmentally-unfriendly processes. An ongoing need exists for alkaline extraction compositions having biobased materials that provide an environmentally beneficial alternative to the typical alkaline extraction compositions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005] The following figures form part of the present specification and is included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure. The subject matter of thepresent disclosure may be better understood by reference to the figure in combination with the detailed description of specific aspects presented herein.

[0006] Figure 1 is a bar graph depicting the amount of fulvic acid recovered from leonardite for the indicted sample from Example 1.

[0007] Figure 2 is a bar graph depicting the amount of organic matter recovered from leonardite for the indicted sample from Example 1.

[0008] Figure 3 is a plot of the amount of bitumen recovered from oil sands using the samples from Example 3.SUMMARY

[0009] Disclosed herein is a method of alkaline extraction comprising contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition comprising one or more sugar oxidation products to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for separation of one or more target compounds from the source material where the percent recovery of the one or more target compounds is increased by from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the amount recovered in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0010] Also disclosed herein is a method of bleaching a material comprising contacting the material with (1) a peroxide and (2) an alkaline extraction composition comprising (i) one or more sugar oxidation products and (ii) a chelating agent to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for a reduction in a rate of peroxide degradation of from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the rate of peroxide degradation in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0011] Also disclosed herein is a method of alkaline extraction, the method comprising: contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition to form a mixture, wherein the source material comprises a metal, and wherein the alkaline extraction composition comprises one or more sugar oxidation products; and removing at least a portion of the metal from the source material using the alkaline extraction composition; and separating the source material having at least the portion of the metal removed from the alkaline extraction composition.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Disclosed herein are alkaline extraction compositions comprising one or more sugar oxidation products. In an aspect, the alkaline extraction compositions of thepresent disclosure comprise (i) an alkaline material and (ii) one or more sugar oxidation products. In another aspect, the alkaline extraction compositions comprise (i) an alkaline material, (ii) one or more sugar oxidation products and (iii) a chelating agent. In yet another aspect, the alkaline extraction compositions comprise (i) an alkaline material, (ii) one or more sugar oxidation products, (iii) a chelating agent and (iv) a carbonylcontaining compound. Additionally, or alternatively, the alkaline extraction compositions further comprise a solvent. Hereinafter these compositions are termed alkaline extraction compositions comprising one or more sugar oxidation products and designated AEC-SOP.

[0013] In an aspect, an AEC-SOP comprises an alkaline material. Any material that can impart alkalinity to the AEC-SOP and is compatible with the other components of the AEC-SOP may be used. Herein alkalinity refers to the ability of a solution to neutralize acids to the equivalence point of carbonate or bicarbonate. Total alkalinity may be determined by measuring the amount of acid needed to bring the intended composition to a pH of 4.2.

[0014] In an aspect, the alkaline material comprises borate, hydroxide, phosphate, silicate, ammonia, the conjugate bases of organic acids or combinations thereof. In one or more aspects, the alkaline material comprises hydroxides of alkali metals (group I or group II), oxides of alkali metal (group I or group II), ammonium based hydroxides or combinations thereof. Nonlimiting examples of alkaline materials suitable for use in the present disclosure include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, magnesium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium metasilicate, sodium sulphide, triethanolamine, trisodium phosphate and combinations thereof.

[0015] In one or more aspects, the alkaline material is present in an amount sufficient to provide a pH of from about 8 to about 14, alternatively from about 9 to about 14 or alternatively from about 11 to about 14 in the AEC-SOP. The amount of the AEC-SOP used to treat a final product can vary based on a desired concentration and / or pH of the final product.

[0016] In some aspects, the AEC-SOP comprises one or more sugar-derived molecules. For example, the AEC-SOP can comprise one or more sugar oxidation products. In an aspect, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise aldonic acid, uronic acid, aldaric acid, or combinations thereof.

[0017] Additionally, or alternatively, in one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise glucaric acid, gluconic acid, gluconate, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products or combinations thereof.

[0018] Additionally, or alternatively, in one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise galactonic acid, galactaric acid, an oxidation product comprising predominantly (e.g., greater than about 50 weight percent) galactonic acid and / or galactaric acid with minor component species of n-keto-acids, C2 to C6 diacids or combinations thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, in one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise glutamic acid.

[0019] In an aspect, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise a glucose oxidation product, a gluconic acid oxidation product, glucaric acid, an oxidized glucuronolactone, a uronic acid oxidation product or combinations thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprises a buffered glucose oxidation product, a buffered gluconic acid oxidation product or combinations thereof. In some such aspects, the buffered glucose oxidation product, the buffered gluconic acid oxidation product, or combinations thereof.

[0020] In an aspect, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise glucaric acid, lactones of glucaric acid, gluconic acid, lactones of gluconic acid, galactonic acid, lactones of galactonic acid, galactaric acid, lactones of galactaric acid, galactonic acid, glucoheptonic acid, lactones of glucoheptonic acid, or combinations thereof.

[0021] In some aspects, other acids can be included. For example, the AEC-SOP may include allaric acid, altaric acid, altraric acid, altronic acid, arabinaric acid, arabinonic acid, dihomocitric acid, fructuronic acid, fuconic acid, galacturonic acid, gulonic acid, homocitric acid, homoisocitric acid, idaric acid, idonic acid, iduronic acid, isocitric acid, mannaric acid, mannonic acid, octulosonic acid, rhamnonic acid, ribonic acid, tagaturonic acid, xylonic acid, or xyluronic acid, or a salt or derivative thereof, or a combination thereof;

[0022] In an aspect, the AEC-SOP comprises a mixture of gluconic acid and glucaric acid. In such aspects, the ratio of gluconic acid:glucaric acid may range from about 0.1 :10 to about 10:0.1 , alternatively about 0.15:10, or about 0.5:10, about 1 :10, about 1 :5, about 1 :4, about 1 :3, about 1 :2, about 1 :1 , about 10:0.1 , about 10:0.5, about 10:1 , about 5:1 , about 4:1 , about 3:1 , or about 2:1 .

[0023] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP has one or more sugar oxidation products present in an amount of about 0.1 weight percent (wt.%), or about 0.25 wt.%, or about0.5 wt.%, or about 0.75 wt.%, or about 1 wt.%, or about 1 .25 wt.%, or about 1 .5 wt.%, or about 1.75 wt.%, or about 2 wt.%, or about 2.25 wt.%, or about 2.5 wt.%, or about 2.75 wt.%, or about 3 wt.%, or about 3.25 wt.%, or about 3.5 wt.%, or about 3.75 wt.%, or about 4 wt.%, or about 4.25 wt.%, or about 4.5 wt.%, or about 4.75 wt.%, or about 5 wt.%, or about 10 wt.%, or about 12.5 wt.%, or about 15 wt.%, or about 17.5 wt.%, or about 20 wt.%, or about 22.5 wt.%, or about 25 wt.%, or about 27.5 wt.%, or about 30 wt.%, or about 32.5 wt.%, or about 35 wt.%, or about 37.5 wt.%, or about 40 wt.%, or about 42.5 wt.%, or about 45 wt.%, or about 47.5 wt.%, or about 50 wt.%, or about 52.5 wt.%, or about 55 wt.%, or about 57.5 wt.%, or about 60 wt.%, or about 62.5 wt.%, or about 65 wt.%, or about 67.5 wt.%, or about 70 wt.%, or about 72.5 wt.%, or about 75 wt.%, or about 77.5 wt.%, or about 80 wt.%, or about 82.5 wt.%, or about 85 wt.%, or about 87.5 wt.%, or about 90 wt.%, or about 92.5 wt.%, or about 95 wt.%, or about 97.5 wt.%, or about 100 wt.%, or about 0.1 wt.% to about 100 wt.%, or about 1 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, or about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, or about 10 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, or about 15 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, or about 20 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, or about 25 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, or about 40 wt.% to about 60 wt.%, or about 50 wt.%, or about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.%, or about 1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, or about 5 wt.% to about 50 wt.% based on the total weight of the AEC-SOP. In some aspects, the AEC-SOP has one or more sugar oxidation products present in an amount between any of the end points listed herein.

[0024] In one or more aspects, any of the one or more sugar oxidation products further comprises a cation counterpart such as a Group 1 alkali metal, a Group 2 alkaline earth metal, a Group 8 metal, Group 11 metal, Group 12 metal or a combination thereof. Nonlimiting exemplary cation counterparts include silicates, borates, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, sodium, potassium, cesium, strontium, zinc, copper, ferric iron orferrous iron, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the cation counterpart is sodium, potassium, calcium or ammonium. In one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products are salt-free (or fully acidified).

[0025] eln one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP comprises a chelating agent. Nonlimiting examples of chelating agents that may be a component of the AEC-SOP include trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N- diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid(HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane- 1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), trans-\,2- cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and combinations thereof.

[0026] In one or more aspects, the chelating agent is present in the AEC-SOP in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, alternatively from about 1.0 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 5 wt.% to about 10 wt.% or alternatively about 0.1 wt.%, about 0.5 wt.%, about 1 wt.%, about 1 .5 wt.%, about 2 wt.%, about 2.5 wt.%, about 3 wt.%, about 3.5 wt.%, about 4 wt.%, about 4.5 wt.%, about 5 wt.%, about5.5 wt.%, about 6 wt.%, about 6.5 wt.%, about 7 wt.%, about 7.5 wt.%, about 8 wt.%, about 8.5 wt.%, about 9 wt.%, about 9.5 wt.%, about 10 wt.%, about 10.5 wt.%, about 11 wt.%, about 11 .5 wt.%, about 12 wt.%, about 12.5 wt.%, about 13 wt.%, about 13.5 wt.%, about 14 wt.%, about 14.5 wt.%, about 15 wt.%, about 15.5 wt.%, about 16 wt.%, about 16.5 wt.%, about 17 wt.%, about 17.5 wt.%, about 18 wt.%, about 18.5 wt.%, about 19 wt.%, about 19.5 wt.% or about 20 wt.%. In some aspects, the AEC-SOP has a chelating agent present in an amount between any of the end points listed herein.

[0027] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound. The additional carbonyl-containing compound may enhance the metal reducing activity of the AEC-SOP. Nonlimiting examples of carbonyl-containing compounds suitable for use in the AEC-SOP include methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol and combinations thereof. In one or more aspects, the carbonyl-containing compound is present in the AEC-SOP in amounts ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, alternatively from about 1 .0 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 5 wt.% to about 10 wt.% or alternatively about 0.1 wt.%, about 0.5 wt.%, about 1 wt.%, about 1 .5 wt.%, about 2 wt.%, about 2.5 wt.%, about 3 wt.%, about 3.5 wt.%, about 4 wt.%, about 4.5 wt.%, about 5 wt.%, about 5.5 wt.%, about 6 wt.%, about 6.5 wt.%, about 7wt.%, about 7.5 wt.%, about 8 wt.%, about 8.5 wt.%, about 9 wt.%, about 9.5 wt.%, about 10 wt.%, about 10.5 wt.%, about 11 wt.%, about 11.5 wt.%, about 12 wt.%, about 12.5 wt.%, about 13 wt.%, about 13.5 wt.%, about 14 wt.%, about 14.5 wt.%, about 15 wt.%, about 15.5 wt.%, about 16 wt.%, about 16.5 wt.%, about 17 wt.%, about17.5 wt.%, about 18 wt.%, about 18.5 wt.%, about 19 wt.%, about 19.5 wt.% or about 20 wt.%.

[0028] In an aspect, an AEC-SOP is utilized in an alkaline extraction in amounts sufficient to provide a final concentration ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about20 wt.%, alternatively from about 0.1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, alternatively from about 0.5 wt.% to about 18 wt.%, alternatively from about 1 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.%, alternatively about 0.01 wt.%, about 0.05 wt.%, about 0.1 wt.%, about 0.5 wt.%, about 1 wt.%, about 1.5 wt.%, about 2 wt.%, about 2.5 wt.%, about 3 wt.%, about 3.5 wt.%, about 4 wt.%, about 4.5 wt.%, about 5 wt.%, about 5.5 wt.%, about 6 wt.%, about 6.5 wt.%, about 7 wt.%, about 7.5 wt.%, about 8 wt.%, about 8.5 wt.%, about 9 wt.%, about 9.5 wt.%, about 10 wt.%, about 10.5 wt.%, about 11 wt.%, about 11.5 wt.%, about 12 wt.%, about 12.5 wt.%, about 13 wt.%, about 13.5 wt.%, about 14 wt.%, about 14.5 wt.%, about 15 wt.%, about 15.5 wt.%, about 16 wt.%, about 16.5 wt.%, about 17 wt.%, about 17.5 wt.%, about 18 wt.%, about 18.5 wt.%, about 19 wt.%, about 19.5 wt.%, or about 20 wt.%. In some aspects, the AEC-SOP is utilized in an alkaline extraction in amounts sufficient to provide a final concentration between any of the end points listed herein.

[0029] Nonlimiting examples of applications that may include an AEC-SOP of the type disclosed herein include mining and mineral processing such as bauxite and leonardite; organic material extraction such as seaweed extraction; oil extraction from heavy crude oil; extraction from pulp and paper; use in the Kraft lignin processes; use in the processing of textiles such as dyeing; water treatment; and during alpha olefin production such as aluminum removal due to contamination from catalyst leaching.

[0030] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP is used as alkaline processing aid which functions to enhance mineral recovery in mineral processing applications. For example, the AEC-SOP may be used during the processing of bauxite.

[0031] Industrial mineral treatment processes combine a number of discrete actions to separate desired minerals from raw mined ores by exploiting the differences in physical and chemical properties of the ore components. Bauxite, an alumina-containing ore and the world's principal source of aluminum metal, may be subjected to extractive processes which involves the chemical extraction of alumina from a bauxite ore by digestion of the ore in caustic followed by separation of dissolved aluminate species. In such aspects, the caustic material used to digest the bauxite further comprises an AEC- SOP of the type disclosed herein.

[0032] For example, the AEC-SOP may be included in the caustic material used to digest bauxite in an amount of from about 0.1 g / L to about 5 g / L, alternatively form about0.5 g / L to about 0.5 g / L or from about 1 g / L to about 5 g / L or about at a dosage in mineral processing of bauxite ranging from about 0.5 g / L to about 1 g / L in some instances. In an exemplary industrial example, an addition rate for 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) alumina refinery may range from about 10 ton per annum (tpa) to about 500 tpa to about of AEC-SOP, alternatively from about 50 tpa to about 450 tpa or alternatively from about 100 tpa to about 400 tpa.

[0033] In another aspect of mineral processing, the AEC-SOP is used to improve the efficiency of humic acid recovery from leonardite. Leonardite is a natural oxidation product of lignite with brown and coal-like appearance, associated with near surface mining and is a source of humic acid (up to 90%). The process of extracting humic acid generally comprises the steps of placing a quantity of water in a mixing tank, adding a quantity of caustic soda and mixing for a short period of time, followed by adding a quantity of humic acid bearing ore and continuing to mix the mixture for a period of time to completely dissolve the mixture to form the humic acid extract. In such aspects, the ratio of leonardite to AEC-SOP may range from 0.1 parts leonardite to 10 parts AEC- SOP to 1 part leonardite to 10 part, alternatively from 0.5 parts leonardite to 10 parts AEC-SOP, alternatively from 1 parts leonardite to 5 parts AEC-SOP, from 1 part leonardite to 2 parts AEC-SOP or alternatively from from 1 part leonardite to 1 .5 parts AEC-SOP.

[0034] In another aspect of mineral processing, the AEC-SOP is used to improve the efficiency of bitumen recovery from oil sands. Herein oil sands, also known as tar sands, are a naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen, a thick, viscous form of crude oil. Before refineries can use oil sands to produce fuels like diesel and gasoline, they are processed to separate the bitumen from the other components. Caustic soda (NaOH) is a chemical additive used in the processing of oil sands to improve bitumen recovery rates. In one or more aspects, the caustic soda is replaced with an AEC-SOP comprising one or more sugar oxidation products, a chelating agent, and a carbonylcontaining compound.

[0035] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP is used in the extraction of metals. General processes for the extraction of metals from ores typically contact the ore with a caustic that facilitates dissolution of trapped compounds.

[0036] Nonlimiting examples of such metals whose extraction may be facilitated by an AEC-SOP include aluminum, gold, copper, molybdenum, silver, copper, manganese, iron from oil sands or combinations thereof.

[0037] In one or more aspects, substitution of at least a portion of the caustic material used in the recovery of target compounds with an AEC-SOP results in an increase in the amount of target compounds recovered ranging from about 10% to about 100%, alternatively from about 15% to about 90% or alternatively from about 20% to about 50% or about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, or about 100% when compared to the amount of target compounds recovered in the absence of the AEC- SOP.

[0038] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP mitigates the catalytic degradation of peroxide during bleaching (e.g. , pulp bleaching). Without wishing to be limited by theory, the AEC-SOP mitigates peroxide degradation by complexing heavy metal ions, such as copper, manganese, and iron. Worldwide pulp bleaching technologies have changed from chlorine to peroxide. Peroxide is a rather unstable bleaching reagent especially under the presence of metallic ions. Nonlimiting examples of peroxides that may be used in pulp bleaching include hydrogen peroxide, diacyl peroxides, peroxydicarbonates, monoperoxycarbonates, peroxyketals, peroxyesters, dialkyl peroxides, hydroperoxides, and combinations thereof.

[0039] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP decreases the degradation of hydrogen peroxide during bleaching by from about 10% to about 100%, alternatively from about 20% to about 100% or from about 25% to about 50% when compared to the rate of degradation observed in the absence of the AEC-SOP.

[0040] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP is used in the processing of paper products. Nonlimiting examples of paper products include lignosulfonates, lignosulfonate polymers and, sulfonated lignin.

[0041] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP facilitates the extraction of organic matter from biobased sources. Nonlimiting examples of organic matter that may be extracted with the AEC-SOP includes, wood and paper products (wood pulp, paper pulp, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose), leather and hide processing, seaweed products, grain proteins, plant proteins, and other protein extractions.

[0042] In one or more aspects, the AEC-SOP is used to complex Ca and Mg ions during washing and processing of textile substrates during manufacturing. Nonlimiting examples of steps in textile processing that may use AEC-SOP include scouring and bleaching, leather deliming, cotton processing and washing, and other textile products.

[0043] Disclosed herein is a method of alkaline extraction comprising contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition comprising one or more sugar oxidation products under conditions suitable for separation of one or more target compounds from the source material where the percent recovery of the one or more target compounds is increased by from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the amount recovered in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0044] Disclosed also herein is a method of bleaching a pulp-containing material comprising contacting the pulp containing material with (1 ) a peroxide and (2) an alkaline extraction composition comprising (i) one or more sugar oxidation products and (ii) a chelating agent under conditions suitable for the reduction in a rate of peroxide degradation of from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the rate of peroxide degradation in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0045] Also disclosed herein a method of removing metals from polyolefins during alpha olefin and polymer production such as aluminum removal due to contamination from catalyst leaching. Polyolefin production can result in a variety of polymer compositions that can contain residual catalyst components. Polyolefins comprise a class of polymers and hydrocarbons manufactured by the catalytic oligomerization of linear a-olefin monomers. Catalysts for the oligomerization reaction such as metallocenes and Ziegler Natta catalysts along with other components such as activators and co-catalysts can leave various catalyst byproducts such as metals in the resulting polyolefins. For example, metals such as aluminum, zirconium, iron, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, nickel, and / or vanadium can form part of the catalyst and remain the polyolefins. In some aspects, the polyolefin product can be contacted with AEC-SOP disclosed herein to reduce the amount of metals present in the polyolefin. The metals content in the produced polyolefin product can be above about 100 ppm by weight, above about 200 ppm by weight, above about 300 ppm by weight, above about 400 ppm by weight, above about 500 ppm by weight, above about 1 ,000 ppm by weight, or above about 2,500 ppm by weight.

[0046] In some aspects, the polyolefin can be contacted with an AEC-SOP in an amount sufficient to reduce the residual metals content of the polyolefin to a level below about 50 ppm by weight, below about 40 ppm by weight, below about 30 ppm by weight, below about 20 ppm by weight, below about 10 ppm by weight, or below about 5 ppm by weight.

[0047] The present disclosure contemplates utilization of an AEC-SOP which advantageously is characterized by a high stability and complexation strength that lead to unique and surprising results.ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE

[0048] A first aspect which is a method of alkaline extraction comprising contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition comprising one or more sugar oxidation products to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for separation of one or more target compounds from the source material where the percent recovery of the one or more target compounds is increased by from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the amount recovered in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0049] A second aspect which is the method of the first aspect wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycoaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof or combinations thereof.

[0050] A third aspect which is the method of any of the first through second aspect wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, or combinations thereof.

[0051] A fourth aspect which is the method of any of the first through third aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 100 wt.% based on the total weight of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0052] A fifth aspect which is the method of any of the first through fourth aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconic acid and glucaric acid present at a ratio of gluconic acid to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

[0053] A sixth aspect which is the method of any of the first through fifth aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate and glucaric acid present in a ratio of gluconate to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

[0054] A seventh aspect which is the method of any of the first through sixth aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a chelating agent.

[0055] An eighth aspect which is the method of the seventh aspect wherein the chelating agent comprises trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane- 1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), trans-l,2- cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) or combinations thereof.

[0056] A ninth aspect which is the method of any of the first through eighth aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound.

[0057] A tenth aspect which is the method of the ninth aspect wherein the carbonylcontaining compound comprises methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol or combinations thereof.

[0058] An eleventh aspect which is the method of any of the first through tenth aspects wherein the source material comprises bauxite, leonardite, bitumen oil sands or combinations thereof.

[0059] A twelfth aspect which is the method of the any of the first through eleventh aspects wherein the target compounds comprise alumina, humic acid, fulvic acid, crude oil or combinations thereof.

[0060] A thirteenth aspect which is the method of any of the first through twelfth aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition is contacted with the source material in amounts sufficient to provide an amount of alkaline extraction composition ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the mixture.

[0061] A fourteenth aspect which is a method of bleaching a material comprising contacting the material with (1 ) a peroxide and (2) an alkaline extraction composition comprising (i) one or more sugar oxidation products and (ii) a chelating agent to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for a reduction in a rate of peroxide degradation of from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the rate of peroxide degradation in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0062] A fifteenth aspect which is the method of the fourteenth aspect wherein the peroxide comprises hydrogen peroxide, diacyl peroxides, peroxydicarbonates, monoperoxycarbonates, peroxyketals, peroxyesters, dialkyl peroxides, hydroperoxides or combinations thereof.

[0063] A sixteenth aspect which is the method of any of the fourteenth through fifteenth aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, or combinations thereof.

[0064] A seventeenth aspect which is the method of any of the fourteenth through sixteenth aspects wherein the chelating agent comprises trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), trans-l,2-cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) or combinations thereof.

[0065] An eighteenth aspect which is the method of any of the fourteenth through seventeenth aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound.

[0066] A nineteenth aspect which is the method of the eighteenth aspect wherein the carbonyl-containing compound comprises methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol or combinations thereof.

[0067] A twentieth aspect which is the method of any of the fourteenth through nineteenth aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the mixture.

[0068] A twenty-first aspect which is a method of alkaline extraction, the method comprising: contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition to form a mixture, wherein the source material comprises a metal, and wherein the alkaline extraction composition comprises one or more sugar oxidation products; and removing at least a portion of the metal from the source material using the alkaline extraction composition; and separating the source material having at least the portion of the metal removed from the alkaline extraction composition.

[0069] A twenty-second aspect which is the method of the twenty-first aspect wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise aldaric acid, uranic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof or combinations thereof.

[0070] A twenty-third aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through twenty-second aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, or combinations thereof.

[0071] A twenty-fourth aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through twenty-third aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 100 wt.% based on the total weight of the alkaline extraction composition.

[0072] A twenty-fifth aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through twentyfourth aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconic acid and glucaric acid present at a ratio of gluconic acid to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

[0073] A twenty-sixth aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through twenty-fifth aspects wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate and glucaric acid present in a ratio of gluconate to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

[0074] A twenty-seventh aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through twenty-sixth aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a chelating agent.

[0075] A twenty-eighth aspect which is the method of the twenty-seventh aspect wherein the chelating agent comprises trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), n itri I otri acetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), trans-l,2-cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid(CDTA) or combinations thereof.

[0076] A twenty-ninth aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through twenty-eight aspects herein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound.

[0077] A thirtieth aspect which is the method of the twenty-ninth aspect wherein the carbonyl-containing compound comprises methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol or combinations thereof.

[0078] A thirty-first aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through thirtieth aspects wherein the source material comprises bauxite, leonardite, oil sands or combinations thereof.

[0079] A thirty-second aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through thirty-first aspects wherein the target compounds comprise alumina, humic acid, fulvic acid, bitumen or combinations thereof.

[0080] A thirty-third aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through thirty- second aspects wherein the alkaline extraction composition is contacted with the source material in amounts sufficient to provide an amount of alkaline extraction composition ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the mixture.

[0081] A thirty-fourth aspect which is the method of any of the twenty-first through thirty- third aspects wherein the source material comprises a polyolefin.

[0082] A thirty-fifth aspect which is the method of the thirty-fourth aspect wherein the metal comprises a residual catalyst component.EXAMPLES

[0083] The presently disclosed subject matter having been generally described, the following examples are given as particular aspects of the subject matter and to demonstrate the practice and advantages thereof. It is understood that the examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the specification or the claims in any manner.EXAMPLE 1Extraction of humic and fulvic acid from Leonardite using additives

[0084] The ability of an AEC-SOP to facilitate the extraction of fulvic acid from leonardite was investigated. The following samples were evaluated; (i) Control containing no chelating agent; (ii) LG which is liquid gluconate 60; (iii) SG which is sodium gluconate; (iv) GOGA which is a mixture of gluconic acid and glucaric acid; (v) GOGA + B which isGOGA with boric acid; (vi) GA which is glucaric acid; (vii) GA + B which is glucaric acid with boric acid; (viii) LG which is liquid gluconate 60 at pH 7; (ix) neutralized KGA which is potassium glucaric acid at pH 7; and (x)alkaline KGA which is potassium glucaric acid at alkaline pH. Each sample contained 10% leonardite, 75% water, and 15% sample listed above adjusted based on the activity level.

[0085] Extraction of fluvic acid was carried out by introducing leonardite to a reactor was heated to 93 °C under mixing condition for 5 hrs. Once extraction of humic and fulvic acid was completed and the reactor was cooled, the solution was centrifuged to separate the top liquor. 50% KOH was then added into the separated top liquor to adjust to a pH ranging between 12-12.5. The top liquor was then analyzed for percentage fulvic acid and organic matter using ISO 19822 and ASTM D 2974-87, respectively.

[0086] The results of this experiment are depicted in Figure 1 . With reference to Figure 1 , the sample containing LG at a neutralized pH had the largest amount of fulvic acid (3.94%) extracted. Samples containing KGA at neutralized pH, GA, GOGA+B, GA+B had decreasing amounts of fulvic acid in that order. In addition, GA+B showed the highest amount of organic matter extracted from leonardite, followed by GOGA+B, LG pH7, SG, and LG as shown in Figure 2.EXAMPLE 2

[0087] The ability of an AEC-SOP to facilitate the extraction of bitumen from oil sand was investigated. Specifically, average grade orefrom the Alberta, Canada region was incubated with 500 g of sodium citrate, LG60 or GOGA at 50 °C in 1 liter of water at pH 8.5 with aeration of 3 L / min and agitation of 1000 for 5 minutes. The results are presented in Figure 3. The results demonstrate that , LG60, which is a mixture of gluconic acid and sodium gluconate, as well as GOGA, which is a mixture of gluconic and glucaric acid show increased bitumen recovery and separation efficiency.EXAMPLE 3

[0088] The ability of an AEC-SOP to facilitate the extraction of aluminum from bauxite was investigated. Specifically, samples containing GOGA, SG50, or GO50 were incubated with a synthetic bayer green liquor to mimic the causticization process in a production setting. Sodium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, silica, sodium sulfate, and quick lime were dissolved in deionized (DI) water at 70 °C in a stainless-steel vessel with stirring using an OLS Aqua Pro Shaking Water Bath. The samples were assayed for the (i) A: concentration of AI2CO3 in g / L; (ii) C: caustic,concentration of NaOH in g / L; (iii) S: Soda, C + Na2COs, g / L ; (iv) C / S: caustic I soda ratio: higher results in more effective extraction 1 = pure NaOH; and (v) causticsation extent: proportion of carbonate that is converted, expressed as a percentage. The results are seen in the Table 1 .Table 1

[0089] The use of an AEC-SOP led to higher extraction efficiency via changing the caustic vs. soda ratio (C / S ratio) used in common Bayer bauxite production processes. As seen in Table 1 , the use of AEC-SOP (GOGA - mixture of gluconic, glucaric acid and its sodium salts, SG100 - sodium gluconate, GO50 - gluconic acid) led to a higher C / S ratio and higher causticization efficiency (CE) versus a blank.

[0090] While aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the subject matter. The aspects described herein are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the subject matter disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated,such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11 , 0.12, 0.13, etc.). Use of the term "optionally" with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.

[0091] Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an aspect of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter. The discussion of a reference herein is not an admission that it is prior art to the presently disclosed subject matter, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A method of alkaline extraction, comprising: contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition comprising one or more sugar oxidation products to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for separation of one or more target compounds from the source material where the percent recovery of the one or more target compounds is increased by from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the amount recovered in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycoaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, or combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 100 wt.% based on the total weight of the alkaline extraction composition.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconic acid and glucaric acid present at a ratio of gluconic acid to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate and glucaric acid present in a ratio of gluconate to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 : 10 to about 10:1.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a chelating agent.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the chelating agent comprises trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), trans-\, 2-cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the carbonyl-containing compound comprises methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol or combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source material comprises bauxite, leonardite, bitumen oil sands or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target compounds comprise alumina, humic acid, fulvic acid, crude oil or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkaline extraction composition is contacted with the source material in amounts sufficient to provide an amount of alkaline extraction composition ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the mixture.

14. A method of bleaching a material, comprising:contacting the material with (1 ) a peroxide and (2) an alkaline extraction composition comprising (i) one or more sugar oxidation products and (ii) a chelating agent to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to conditions suitable for a reduction in a rate of peroxide degradation of from about 10% to about 100% when compared to the rate of peroxide degradation in the absence of the alkaline extraction composition.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the peroxide comprises hydrogen peroxide, diacyl peroxides, peroxydicarbonates, monoperoxycarbonates, peroxyketals, peroxyesters, dialkyl peroxides, hydroperoxides or combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, or combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the chelating agent comprises trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), frans-l,2-cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) or combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the carbonyl-containing compound comprises methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol or combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the alkaline extraction composition is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the mixture.21 . A method of alkaline extraction, comprising: contacting a source material with an alkaline extraction composition to form a mixture, wherein the source material comprises a metal, and wherein the alkaline extraction composition comprises one or more sugar oxidation products; and removing at least a portion of the metal from the source material using the alkaline extraction composition; and separating the source material having at least the portion of the metal removed from the alkaline extraction composition.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycoaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof or combinations thereof.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, or combinations thereof.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 100 wt.% based on the total weight of the alkaline extraction composition.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconic acid and glucaric acid present at a ratio of gluconic acid to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate and glucaric acid present in a ratio of gluconate to glucaric acid ranging from about 1 : 10 to about 10:1.

27. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a chelating agent.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the chelating agent comprises trisodium phosphate, phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid (HEIDA), 1 ,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1 ,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), ethanoldiglycine (EDG), trans-\, 2-cyclohexylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) or combinations thereof.

29. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alkaline extraction composition further comprises a carbonyl-containing compound.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the carbonyl-containing compound comprises methanonic acid, ethanoic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, propanoic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, mannitol or combinations thereof.

31. The method of claim 21 , wherein the source material comprises bauxite, leonardite, oil sands or combinations thereof.

32. The method of claim 21 , wherein the target compounds comprise alumina, humic acid, fulvic acid, bitumen or combinations thereof.

33. The method of claim 21 , wherein the alkaline extraction composition is contacted with the source material in amounts sufficient to provide an amount of alkaline extraction composition ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the mixture.

34. The method of claim 21 , wherein the source material comprises a polyolefin.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the metal comprises a residual catalyst component.

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