Patents Assigned to Molycorp Minerals, LLC
  • Publication number: 20120138529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a metal and separating arsenic from an arsenic-containing solution. The method includes contacting the arsenic-containing solution with a fixing agent that comprises a rare earth compound to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is separated from the arsenic-depleted solution and a recoverable metal is separated from one or more of the arsenic-containing solution and the arsenic-depleted solution. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals. The arsenic-containing solution can be formed by contacting an arsenic-containing material with a leaching agent. Arsenic-depleted solids formed during the leach can also be separated and recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120138528
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing arsenic from an arsenic-bearing material. The method includes the steps of contracting an arsenic-bearing material with an arsenic leaching agent to form an arsenic-containing solution and arsenic-depleted solids. The leaching agent can be an inorganic salt, an inorganic acid, an organic acid, and/or an alkaline agent. The arsenic-depleted solids are separated from the arsenic-containing solution, which is contacted with a fixing agent to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is then separated from the arsenic-depleted solution. A recoverable metal in the arsenic-depleted solids, arsenic-containing solution or arsenic-depleted solution can be separated and recovered. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120103909
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and compositions for removing contaminants from streams and is particularly concerned with methods and compositions for removing contaminants from municipal wastewaters, municipal drinking waters and recreational waters. The present disclosure is to particulate cerium, more particularly to particulate cerium (IV) formed by an in situ oxidative process and to a method for removing target materials from a target material-containing stream using particulate cerium formed in situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John Burba, Carl Hassler, Robert Cable
  • Publication number: 20120074071
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an embodiment to a method for treating water and/or a water handling system to decrease deposit formation and/or to remove a deposit. More particularly, to a method for treating water and/or a water handling system with one or more rare earths to decrease deposit formation and/or to remove a deposit. Struvite is an example of deposit material that can be removed and/or deposition inhibited by treating a water and/or water handling system with one or more earths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Hassler, John Burba, Robert Cable
  • Publication number: 20120031827
    Abstract: The subject invention relates generally to friable metal oxide agglomerates and specifically to agglomerates containing high surface area rare earth-containing materials and a polymeric binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Carl R. Hassler, Charles F. Whitehead, Joseph A. Lupo, John Lahlouh, Chris Vogdes, Brandt Wright
  • Publication number: 20110309017
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for removing a variety of contaminants using both rare earth and non-rare earth-containing treatment elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Carl R. Hassler, John L. Burba, III, Charles F. Whitehead, Joseph Lupo, Timothy L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20110303871
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials, in particular a physiologically active compound contaminant, from various streams using a rare earth fixing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler, Robert Cable
  • Patent number: 8066874
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The apparatus comprises a container that includes a housing, an inlet located at a first end of the housing and an outlet located at a second end opposite the first end. An outer wall extends between the first and second ends and enclosing a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet and an arsenic fixing agent is disposed in the fluid flow path. The arsenic fixing agent can include an insoluble rare earth-containing compound, more specifically, a compound comprising one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The inlet and the outlet are adapted to be closed during transport and storage. The container is adapted to be sealed for long term disposal after exposure to an aqueous solution containing arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Joseph A. Lupo, Joseph R. Pascoe
  • Publication number: 20110272273
    Abstract: The application generally relates to a process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water. More particularly, the application generally relates to a lanthanide-mediated photochemical process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cable, Anthony J. Perrotta
  • Publication number: 20110182786
    Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventor: John L. Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20110110817
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for contacting a colorant-contaminated aqueous solution with a rare earth-containing composition to form a treated solution substantially depleted of the colorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lupo, Joseph R. Pascoe
  • Publication number: 20110033337
    Abstract: Process, apparatus and article for treating an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants. The aggregate includes more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, a cerium oxalate or a cerium salt. The composition can consist essentially of cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder and/or flow aid. The aggregate includes no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate is to be sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20110002971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to protecting a human from an infection using a disinfecting agent as described herein and a method for use thereof, more particularly to a rare earth-containing device for protecting a wound and a method for use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Carl R. Hassler, John L. Burba, Charles Whitehead, Joe Pascoe
  • Publication number: 20100258448
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process for removing one or more contaminants from an electrolytic solution and more particularly to a process for removing the one or more contaminants contained in an electrorefining solution using rare earth metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler
  • Publication number: 20100255559
    Abstract: Process, apparatus and article for treating an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants. The aggregate includes more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, a cerium oxalate or a cerium salt. The composition can consist essentially of cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder and/or flow aid. The aggregate includes no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate is to be sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20100243542
    Abstract: Process, apparatus and article for treating an aqueous solution containing biological contaminants. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a biological contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of active biological contaminants. The aggregate includes more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, a cerium oxalate or a cerium salt. The composition can consist essentially of cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder and/or flow aid. The aggregate includes no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate is to be sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20100230359
    Abstract: The invention is directed generally to a porous and durable ceramic filter monolith coated with one or more rare earth-containing compositions for removing contaminants from a fluid, particularly for removing one or more contaminants from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Whitehead, Timothy L. Oriard
  • Publication number: 20100187178
    Abstract: Contaminants, including arsenic, are removed from water and other aqueous feeds preferably by (1) treating the feed with a compound containing a rare earth (e.g., cerium in the +4 oxidation state, preferably cerium dioxide), to oxidize contaminants in the +3 oxidation state to arsenic in the +5 oxidation state and (2) removing the contaminants in the +5 oxidation state from the aqueous phase, normally by contacting the treated feed with a rare earth-containing precipitating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: John Leslie Burba, Richard Donald Witham, Edward Bayer McNew
  • Publication number: 20100168498
    Abstract: Apparatus, process and article for treating an aqueous solution containing a chemical contaminant. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a chemical contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of chemical contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, cerium oxalate and/or a cerium salt. The aggregate composition can include more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound, and in a particular embodiment consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally a binder and/or flow aid. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include removing or detoxifying chemical contaminants in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Richard D. Witham
  • Publication number: 20100155330
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials from various streams using a rare earth metal-containing fixing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John Burba, Carl Hassler, Joseph Pascoe, Brandt Wright, Charles Whitehead, Joseph Lupo, Conrad Brock O'Kelley, Robert Cable