Patents Assigned to Molycorp Minerals, LLC
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Publication number: 20120138529Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
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Publication number: 20120138530Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
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Publication number: 20120103909Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John Burba, Carl Hassler, Robert Cable
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Publication number: 20120074071Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Carl Hassler, John Burba, Robert Cable
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Publication number: 20120031827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, Carl R. Hassler, Charles F. Whitehead, Joseph A. Lupo, John Lahlouh, Chris Vogdes, Brandt Wright
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Publication number: 20110309017Abstract: Embodiments are provided for removing a variety of contaminants using both rare earth and non-rare earth-containing treatment elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Carl R. Hassler, John L. Burba, III, Charles F. Whitehead, Joseph Lupo, Timothy L. Oriard
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Publication number: 20110303871Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler, Robert Cable
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Patent number: 8066874Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Joseph A. Lupo, Joseph R. Pascoe
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Publication number: 20110272273Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Robert Cable, Anthony J. Perrotta
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Publication number: 20110182786Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventor: John L. Burba, III
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Publication number: 20110110817Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Lupo, Joseph R. Pascoe
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Publication number: 20110033337Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
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Publication number: 20110002971Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Carl R. Hassler, John L. Burba, Charles Whitehead, Joe Pascoe
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Publication number: 20100258448Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Charles F. Whitehead, Carl R. Hassler
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Publication number: 20100255559Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
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Publication number: 20100243542Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
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Publication number: 20100230359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: Charles F. Whitehead, Timothy L. Oriard
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Publication number: 20100187178Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: Molycorp Minerals, LLCInventors: John Leslie Burba, Richard Donald Witham, Edward Bayer McNew
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Publication number: 20100168498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John L. Burba, III, Richard D. Witham
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Publication number: 20100155330Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLCInventors: John Burba, Carl Hassler, Joseph Pascoe, Brandt Wright, Charles Whitehead, Joseph Lupo, Conrad Brock O'Kelley, Robert Cable