Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Bolles

Thomas R. Bolles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220119917
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of recovering copper, molybdenum, and a precious metal value from a metal-bearing material, the method comprising bulk flotation of the metal-bearing material to form a flotation product, wherein the metal-bearing material comprises a copper compound, a molybdenum compound, at least one precious metal value, and a silicate, pressure oxidizing the flotation product to form a pressure oxidized discharge, separating the pressure oxidized discharge to form a separated liquid and separated solid, extracting molybdenum, via a molybdenum solution extraction, from the separated liquid to form a molybdenum-containing stream and a copper-containing stream, extracting copper, via a copper solution extraction, from the copper-containing stream, and extracting the precious metal value, via a cyanide leaching process, from the separated solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brenda Lizzet Mota, Thomas R. Bolles, Christine Rae Green, Santosh Srivatsa Gunturi, Manuel G. Villalba, JR.
  • Patent number: 11187113
    Abstract: An electric power generating system includes an autoclave coupled to a natural gas source, an oxygen source, and having a pressure reducing outlet valve. A high-pressure pump provides a solution of ammonium hydroxide and ammonium carbonate solution under pressure to the autoclave. An exothermic reaction generates high-pressure steam for electrical power generation. A crystallizer receives ammonium carbonate from the reaction for the formation of crystallized ammonium carbonate fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas R Bolles
  • Publication number: 20210131311
    Abstract: An electric power generating system includes an autoclave coupled to a natural gas source, an oxygen source, and having a pressure reducing outlet valve. A high-pressure pump provides a solution of ammonium hydroxide and ammonium carbonate solution under pressure to the autoclave. An exothermic reaction generates high-pressure steam for electrical power generation. A crystallizer receives ammonium carbonate from the reaction for the formation of crystallized ammonium carbonate fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas R. Bolles
  • Patent number: 10662502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20190177864
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Wayne W. Hazen, Lawrence D. May, Jay C. Smith, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 10246789
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Wayne W Hazen, Lawrence D May, Jay C Smith, David R Baughman
  • Publication number: 20180298505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 10006133
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce a loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20160230296
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Wayne W. Hazen, Lawrence D. May, Jay C. Smith, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 9340849
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Wayne W Hazen, Lawrence D May, Jay C Smith, David R Baughman
  • Publication number: 20160068977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 9187803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 9175366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and a leach medium comprising ammonia and ammonium carbonate, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 8920773
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, leaching the roasted metal hearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution, conditioning the pregnant leach solution to thrill a preprocessed metal bearing material; and leaching the preprocessed metal bearing material in acid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Freeport Minerals Corporation
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Wayne W. Hazen, Lawrence D. May, Jay C. Smith, David R. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20140260806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20140260807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and a leach medium comprising ammonia and ammonium carbonate, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 4526763
    Abstract: In a process for the production of alumina from aluminous raw material, an ammonoalunite intermediate is formed. The raw material is preferably a clay which is leached with sulfuric acid to form an aluminous solution which is separated from the solid materials. After any required extraction of iron, such as by liquid ion exchange, the solution is subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of ammonium ions to form ammonoalunite which is recovered as a precipitate. The liquor is recycled to leach the clay, while the ammonoalunite is thermally decomposed to alumina. Gases liberated during decomposition are scrubbed with recycled liquor to form clay leach liquor. The alumina may be purified by washing with sulfuric acid to obtain a purity suitable for aluminum electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Bartlett, Thomas R. Bolles