Patents Assigned to U.S. Vanadium Corporation
  • Separation and recovery of metal values from natural bitumen ash
    Patent number: 6306356
    Abstract: High yields of vanadium containing virtually no nickel or magnesium are obtained from natural bitumen ash consisting of up to 5% carbon, more than 95% of water-soluble compounds of vanadium, nickel and magnesium by mixing the ash with water to produce a 20% solids slurry of pH below 6.5 and temperature of 80-85° C. oxidizing any reduced vanadium in the slurry and then separating and removing the resulting polyvanadate precipitate from the liquid phase containing substantially all the nickel and magnesium values of the ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Vanadium Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Woolery, Ledell Rigsby
  • Recovery of vanadium and nickel from petroleum residues
    Patent number: 4816236
    Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of vanadium and nickel values from petroleum residues and, in particular, from Flexicoke. In the process, Flexicoke is blended with an alkali metal source, such as sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate, and then roasted in an oxygen-containing gas until carbon is removed and a fused mixture is obtained. Thereafter, the vanadium is leached from the mixture with an aqueous solution, and nickel is contained in solids remaining from the leaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: U.S. Vanadium Corporation
    Inventor: Harry E. Gardner
  • Alkaline leaching of vanadium bearing residues
    Patent number: 4640823
    Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of vanadium values from vanadium-bearing residues, such as fly ash, boiler ash and scrubber residues from the combustion of crude oil fractions. The process employs a combination of alkaline metal bases, such as sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Vanadium Corporation
    Inventor: John B. Goddard