Patents Assigned to OUTOTEC (FILTERS) OY
  • Process and plant for refining raw materials containing organic constituents
    Patent number: 9764300
    Abstract: A plant for refining raw materials containing organic constituents includes a reactor configured to receive raw materials; a furnace configured to receive solids and fuel from the reactor; a return conduit configured to recirculate hot solids generated in the furnace to the reactor; and a sealing device configured to separate an oxidizing atmosphere of the furnace from an atmosphere of the reactor. The sealing device includes: a downpipe disposed between the furnace and the reactor, the downpipe being configured to withdraw a stream of solids from the furnace; a rising pipe disposed near a bottom of the downpipe and branching off there from to a top, the rising pipe being configured to transport a fluidized stream of solids to the reactor; and a conveying gas supply disposed below the rising pipe, the conveying gas supply being configured to fluidize a stream of solids withdrawn from the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Nikola Anastasijevic, Michael Missalla, Guenter Schneider, Andreas Orth
  • Demister, method of modifying an existing wet-type gas scrubber and wet-type gas scrubber
    Patent number: 9751037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a demister (1) configured for installation to a wet-type gas scrubber (2). The wet-type gas scrubber (2) comprises a wet-scrubbing phase (3) and a liquid separation phase (4). The liquid separation phase (4) includes a liquid collecting tank (5) and a cyclonic droplet separation tower (6) attached on the liquid collecting tank for receiving a gas stream therefrom. The demister (1) comprises a mist eliminator unit (A) for removal of liquid droplets in a gas stream. The invention also relates to a method of modifying an existing wet-type gas scrubber (2) by including the demister (1). The invention further relates to a wet-type gas scrubber (2) comprising the demister (1). The demister (1) is a separate integral unit adapted to be removably attachable between the liquid collecting tank (5) and the cyclonic droplet separation tower (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Janne Ollila, Tom Rönnberg
  • PROCESS FOR RECOVERING GOLD
    Publication number: 20170247777
    Abstract: Provided is a process for recovery of gold from gold-bearing raw materials comprising (a) leaching said gold-bearing raw material in a chloride containing leaching solution containing a total concentration of less than 120 g/L of halide ions, whereby the total concentration of chloride ions is less than 120 g/L of to dissolve gold and to obtain a leach solution comprising gold in solution; and simultaneously contacting the leach solution comprising gold in solution with a re-sorptive material to obtain a leach solution comprising gold-bearing re-sorptive material; and (b) recovering gold and optionally silver from the said gold-bearing re-sorptive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Mari LUNDSTRÖM, John O'CALLAGHAN, Timo HAAKANA, Riina AHTIAINEN, Janne KARONEN
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SUSPENSION IN A SUSPENSION SMELTING FURNACE, A SUSPENSION SMELTING FURNACE, AND A CONCENTRATE BURNER
    Publication number: 20170248368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling suspension in a suspension smelting furnace, to a suspension smelting furnace, and to a concentrate burner. The method comprises feeding additionally to pulverous solid matter and additionally to reaction gas reducing agent into the suspension smelting furnace, wherein reducing agent is fed in the form of a concentrated stream of reducing agent through the suspension in the reaction shaft onto the surface of the melt to form a reducing zone containing reducing agent within the collection zone of the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Bjorklund
  • Method for smelting non-ferrous metal sulfides in a suspension smelting furnace and suspension smelting furnace
    Patent number: 9739535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for smelting non-ferrous metal sulfides (13) in a suspension smelting furnace and to a suspension smelting furnace. The suspension smelting furnace comprises at least one injection means (18) for injecting at least one of fluid (19) and pulverous matter (20) into a settler (2) of the suspension smelting furnace from at least one of a first side wall structure (8) and a second side wall structure (9) of the settler (2) so that fluid (19) and/or pulverous matter (20) is injected into the settler (2) above a top surface (16) of a layer of melt (15) in the settler (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Lauri Pesonen, Peter Björklund
  • Solvent extraction settler arrangement
    Patent number: 9731222
    Abstract: A solvent extraction settler arrangement comprises a settler (1) having a feed end (2) and a discharge end (3), said settler being arranged to separate solution phases from a dispersion fed from the feed end while the dispersion flows to the discharge end. Elongated discharge launders (4, 5) are arranged at the discharge end (3) of the settler for each solution phase to be separated from the dispersion, each discharge launder (4, 5) including a first end (6), an outlet (7, 8) arranged at the first end, and a closed second end (9). At least one of the discharge launders (4, 5) has a form of a conical tube with a cross-section converging from the first end (6) towards the second end (9) and an inclined bottom (10, 11) descending from the second end (9) towards the first end (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Jussi Vaarno, Rami Saario, Henri Fredriksson
  • Method and arrangement for collecting and removal of acid mist from an electrolytic cell
    Patent number: 9732432
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for collecting and removal of acid mist from an electrolytic cell. The arrangement includes a cover for covering an open top of a container of the electrolytic cell so that a space is formed between a surface of electrolyte contained in the container and the cover, a decontamination system provided with an acid mist suction channel terminating in an upwards facing inlet opening in the space, and a cleaning arrangement for spraying the upwards facing inlet opening with washing fluid. The cleaning arrangement has a fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle is in the acid mist suction channel. The fluid nozzle is arranged to spray washing fluid at least downwards into the acid mist suction channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Tuomas Hirsi, Timo Hautaniemi
  • Process and equipment for producing pure lithium-containing solution
    Patent number: 9725787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a lithium-containing solution from a lithium-containing raw-material solution, by: a) precipitating a first part of magnesium and calcium from the lithium-containing raw-material solution, b) extracting a second part of calcium and magnesium from the lithium-containing solution by liquid-liquid extraction, a resultant product being a lithium-containing solution. The invention also relates to equipment for producing a lithium-containing solution from a lithium-containing raw-material solution, including a precipitation unit to remove a first part of magnesium and calcium and an extraction unit to receive the lithium-containing raw-material solution and to remove therefrom a second part of calcium and magnesium by liquid-liquid extraction, and control unit to control the operation of the precipitation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Laitala, Janne Karonen, Liisa Haavanlammi
  • Method for maintenance of used permanent cathode plates
    Patent number: 9708725
    Abstract: A method for maintenance of used permanent cathode plates, said used cathode plate having scratches, crud formations and oversize grain boundaries on a surface of the cathode plate. The method comprises removing of scratches and accumulated crud from the surface of the cathode plate. The method further comprises removing substantially completely the oversize grain boundaries from the surface, and thereafter regenerating the grain boundaries of the surface of the cathode plate to an average grain boundary width of 1 to 3 ?m and an average grain boundary depth less than 1 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Mari Lindgren, Henri K. Virtanen
  • ENHANCED METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR GAS REGULATION IN MINERAL FLOTATION
    Publication number: 20170197221
    Abstract: A method for controlling gas circulation in a mineral flotation process in a system including one or more flotation cell unit(s) with an apparatus including a gas recirculation loop, a flushing system including an expulsion line for connecting pressure side of the gas recirculation loop to atmosphere and a suction line including a water lock, or means, other than a water lock, for restricting the gas flow and preventing back flow of unpurified gas to the atmosphere, for connecting suction side of the gas recirculation loop to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Jukka LAKANEN, Rodrigo GRAU, Kaisa MIINALAINEN
  • HYDROMETALLURGICAL TREATMENT OF ANODE SLUDGE
    Publication number: 20170198370
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating precious metals from anode sludge obtained from copper electrolysis, comprising (a) leaching the anode sludge in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution to remove leachable chlorides and to obtain a first leaching residue depleted of chlorides; (b) pressure leaching the first leaching residue to dissolve Ag and Se and to obtain a first filtrate comprising Ag and Se and a second leaching residue depleted of Ag and Se; and (c) leaching the second leaching residue with an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution to dissolve Au and PGMs to obtain a second filtrate comprising Au and PGMs and a final leaching residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Henri VIRTANEN, Sönke SCHMACHTEL
  • METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PROCESS APPARATUS AND A PROCESS APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20170191166
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for manufacturing a process apparatus for moving liquid in high temperature liquid immersion under aggressive chemical environment and dynamic stress, wherein the method comprises the step of lining the process apparatus formed of stainless steel with rubber, wherein the method further comprises the step of forming a passivation layer on a surface of the process apparatus in an acid bath prior to lining the process apparatus comprising the passivation layer with rubber. The invention also concerns a process apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Mari LINDGREN, Paavo LAIHONEN
  • METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF A BURNER OF A SUSPENSION SMELTING FURNACE
    Publication number: 20170191760
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an arrangement for monitoring performance of a burner of a suspension smelting furnace. The burner is arranged at the top structure of a reaction shaft of the suspension smelting furnace. The burner has a solids feeding channel that has a solids outlet opening up into the reaction shaft, and a reaction gas channel comprising a reaction gas channel a that has a reaction gas outlet opening up into the reaction shaft. The arrangement comprises at least one imaging means for producing images representing the cross-section of the reaction gas channel, and a processing means for receiving images of the cross-section of the reaction gas channel from the imaging means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Aki LAANINEN, Elli MIETTINEN, Peter BJÖRKLUND, Lauri P. PESONEN
  • Arrangement for measuring electric current in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system
    Patent number: 9695520
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and current measuring arrangement for measuring electric current flowing in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system. The electrolysis system comprises a plurality of interleaved electrodes (1, 2), cathodes (1) and anodes (2), arranged in an electrolysis cell (3) and immersed in electrolyte, said electrolysis system having a busbar (4) disposed on a separating cell wall (5) between each of the two adjacent cells to conduct electric current to the electrodes via a contact point (6) between the busbar and a hanger bar (7) of the electrode, and the current sensing arrangement comprises a magnetic field sensing means (8; 81, 82; 10) for measuring the magnetic field induced by said current. The magnetic field sensing means (8; 81, 82; 10) are arranged to sense the magnetic field substantially at the level of the contact point (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Duncan Grant, Michael H. Barker, Lauri Nordlund, Ari Rantala, Henri K. Virtanen
  • PROCESS AND PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LIQUID ACID
    Publication number: 20170182457
    Abstract: A process for the production of liquid acid, comprising the steps of: feeding liquid acid with a first concentration into a gas purification; passing a gas through the gas purification such that a second concentration of the liquid acid is reached; withdrawing the liquid acid from the sump of the gas purification, where in the gas purification sump is divided by a partition wall into a first and a second section. The concentration of the liquid acid collected in the first section is adjusted to the first concentration. The liquid acid with the first concentration from the first section is at least partially fed back into step and the liquid acid with the second concentration collected in the second section is at least partially withdrawn as product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz DAUM, Hannes STORCH, Wolfram SCHALK
  • SILVER RECOVERY BY ION EXCHANGE
    Publication number: 20170175224
    Abstract: The present invention according provides a method of recovering silver from silver containing halide solutions, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an ion exchange column comprising a weak anion exchange resin; (b) introducing the silver containing halide solution to the ion exchange column to absorb silver in the weak anion exchange resin; (c) washing the loaded ion exchange resin with a first washing solution to rinse off absorbed zinc and optionally at least part of copper; (d) washing the loaded ion exchange resin with a second washing solution to rinse off remaining copper; and (e) optionally washing the loaded ion exchange resin with a third washing solution to rinse off absorbed lead; and (f) eluting the loaded ion exchange resin with an eluent to remove silver from the resin and to obtain a silver containing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Kari VALKAMA, Mika HAAPALAINEN, Mikko TYSTER, Sami VIROLAINEN
  • Method and apparatus for online analysis by laser-induced spectroscopy
    Patent number: 9683941
    Abstract: A presentation module is provided for presenting a fluid sample to a Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis. The presentation module comprises an inlet for admitting a fluid sample flow from a process flow, a measurement opening for co-operating with measurement optics, and a stabilizer surface facing towards the measurement opening. The stabilizer surface is adapted to form a stabilized sample flow along the stabilizer surface such that the depth and the outer surface of the sample flow are stabilized, and the surface fluctuation and depth variation of the stabilized sample slurry flow are reduced. As laser pulses are focused on the outer surface of the planar sample flow to transform at least a part of the sample into a state of a plasma, the accuracy and repeatability of the LIBS measurement are significantly improved due to the stabilized sample flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Arto Ollikainen, Kari Saloheimo, Christian Von Alfthan
  • Measurement of electric current in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system
    Patent number: 9677184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and current measuring arrangement for measuring electric current flowing in an individual electrode in an electrolysis system. The electrolysis system comprises a plurality of interleaved electrodes (1, 2), cathodes (1) and anodes (2), arranged in an electrolysis cell (3) and immersed in electrolyte, said electrolysis system having a busbar arrangement (4) disposed on a separating cell wall (5) between each of the two adjacent cells. The busbar arrangement comprises an equalizer busbar (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) to electrically connect anodes in one cell to cathodes in a next cell providing the current with multiple electrical pathways between electrodes, said electrical connection being formed by contact points (12) between the equalizer busbar (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) and hanger bars (13) of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Duncan Grant, Michael H. Barker, Lauri Nordlund, Ari Rantala, Henri K. Virtanen
  • Method for controlling the suspension in a suspension smelting furnace, a suspension smelting furnace, and a concentrate burner
    Patent number: 9677815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling suspension (8) in a suspension smelting furnace (1), to a suspension smelting furnace, and to a concentrate burner (2). The method comprises feeding additionally to pulverous solid matter (6) and additionally to reaction gas (7) reducing agent (13) into the suspension smelting furnace (1), wherein reducing agent (13) is fed in the form of a concentrated stream of reducing agent (13) through the suspension (8) in the reaction shaft (2) onto the surface (9) of the melt (10) to form a reducing zone (15) containing reducing agent (13) within the collection zone (14) of the melt (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Markku Lahtinen, Lauri P. Pesonen, Tapio Ahokainen, Peter Bjorklund
  • Flotation tank
    Patent number: D794745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Tähkiö, Jukka Lakanen, Matti Luukkonen, Valtteri Vaarna