Patents Assigned to OUTOTEC OYJ
  • Patent number: 7871504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming an electrocatalytic surface on an electrode in a simple way, in particular on a lead anode used in the electrolytic recovery of metals. The catalytic coating is formed by a spraying method which does not essentially alter the characteristics of the coating powder during spraying. Transition metal oxides are used as the coating material. After the spray coating the electrode is ready for use without further treatment. The invention also relates to an electrode onto which an electrocatalytic surface is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Michael Harold Barker, Olli Hyvärinen, Karri Osara
  • Publication number: 20100329300
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for measuring at least one physical magnitude, such as temperature, flow or pressure of the cooling fluid flowing in an individual cooling element cycle (3) of a cooling element (1) in a metallurgical furnace. The arrangement includes a supply header (2) for distributing the cooling fluid and for feeding it to the cooling element cycles (3) of the cooling elements (1), and a collection header (4) for collecting and receiving cooling fluid from the cooling element cycles (3) of the cooling elements (1). The arrangement includes a survey line (5) that is by intermediation of a valve arrangement (6) in fluid connection with at least one cooling element cycle (3), so that the cooling fluid is conducted alternatively through the survey line (5) to the collection header (4) or past the survey line (5) to the collection header (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Lauri Pesonen
  • Publication number: 20100319253
    Abstract: A process for refining raw materials containing oil and/or bitumen includes supplying water and the raw materials to an expulsion stage and/or an expulsion stage and a downstream gasification stage to obtain solids containing non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons and to expel hydrocarbonaceous vapour. The expelled hydrocarbonaceous vapour is supplied to a processing stage and is further processed to expel hydrocarbonaceous vapour to obtain processing stage products which are separated and withdrawn. The solids from the expulsion stage and/or the expulsion stage and the downstream gasification stage are introduced into a combustion stage. The non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons are burned in the combustion stage to obtain hot solids which are recirculated from the combustion stage into the expulsion stage and/or the downstream gasification stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventor: Erwin Schmidbauer
  • Patent number: 7854608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of fine-grained solids, in particular gypsum, in which the solids are heated to a temperature of 50 to 1000° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (1), and to a corresponding plant. To improve the energy utilization, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a preferably central gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (21) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (2) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas, and to adjust the gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (2) such that the particle Froude numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (2) between 0.02 and 2 and in the mixing chamber (21) between 0.3 and 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Dirk Nuber, Werner Stockhausen, Michael Ströder
  • Publication number: 20100313475
    Abstract: A process for refining raw materials containing oil and/or bitumen includes supplying the raw materials to a reactor. The reactor is operated under a pressure of from 0.001 to 1 bar and at a reactor temperature of from 300 to 1000° C. so as to volatize fuel gases and obtain solids and non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons. The solids and non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons are introduced into a furnace. The non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons are burned in the furnace at a furnace temperature of from 600 to 1500° C. so as to obtain hot solids in the furnace. The hot solids are recirculated from the furnace into the reactor. An oxidizing atmosphere of the furnace is separated from an atmosphere of the reactor by a sealing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Nikola Anastasijevic, Michael Missalla, Guenter Schneider, Andreas Orth
  • Publication number: 20100314475
    Abstract: A pulp lifter for installation in a rotary grinding mill has a leading edge wall and a trailing edge wall with respect to rotation of the mill. The leading edge wall and the trailing edge wall define a pulp lifter chamber, and a grate allows slurry to pass to a radially outward collecting region of the pulp lifter chamber for removal from the mill by way of a radially inward discharge region of the pulp lifter chamber. In one embodiment, a gate is positioned between the collecting region and the discharge region, the gate being movable between an open position, in which the gate permits solid material to pass from the collecting region to the discharge region, and a closed position, in which the gate prevents return movement of solid material from the discharge region to the collecting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Hans Allenius, Sami Hindström, Markku Virtanen, Kari Saloheimo
  • Patent number: 7841474
    Abstract: A material separator system and method for magnetically separating components of feedstock by directing the feedstock onto a thin rotating shell enclosing one or more rotating magnetic rolls capable of riding upon the interior of the shell. In one embodiment, a cam-and-bearing arrangement is used to permit the magnetic roll and shell each to rotate on its own independent axis. This provides the ability to adjust clearance, the line of contact, and the degree of contact between the magnetic roll and the shell. In another embodiment, a different arrangement provides the same capabilities. The system can be configured to drive a magnetic roll, which then drives the shell, or it can be configured to drive the shell, which then drives the magnetic roll. The system can also be configured as a retreater for retreating feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Thomas J. Grey, Shivakumar S. Orekondy
  • Publication number: 20100294715
    Abstract: Equipment to be placed in the settler (6) of liquid-liquid extraction. The equipment comprises an overflow chute (10) for receiving a first solution as an overflow from the settler; a first outlet box (15) that is placed on a lower level than the overflow chute and arranged to receive the first solution from the overflow chute; a collecting chute (12) that is positioned adjacently with the overflow chute for receiving the second solution as an underflow from the settler; rising pipes (13) that extend from the collecting chute to the settler for conducting the second solution to the collecting chute; level control valves (14) arranged in the rising pipes for adjusting the level of the second solution; and a second outlet box (15) that is placed on a lower level than the collecting chute and arranged to receive the second solution from the collecting chute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Rami Saario, Jussi Pajala
  • Patent number: 7837970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and plant for producing sulphuric acid by catalytic oxidation of SO2 to form SO3 in a converter with at least one contact stage, the SO3-containing process gas, after it has passed through at least one contact stage, being withdrawn from the converter and fed to an apparatus for recovering heat, in which steam is generated from feedwater by means of the heat of the process gas, and the process gas then being fed to an absorber, in which the SO3 is absorbed in sulphuric acid. To improve the utilization of heat during the production of sulphuric acid, the feedwater is fed to the heat recovery apparatus at a higher temperature than the process gas fed to the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Daum
  • Patent number: 7824603
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a metalliferous material in a fluidized bed includes a vessel for containing the fluidized bed, a mechanism for supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into the vessel for forming the fluidized bed in the vessel. The oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism includes one or more than one oxygen-containing gas injection lance having a lance tip with an outlet that is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas in a downward flow into the vessel within a range of plus or minus 40° to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Andreas Orth, Heinz Eichberger, Donald Keith Philp, Jeantine Van Gemund, legal representative, Rod Dry
  • Publication number: 20100269636
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a metalliferous material in a fluidized bed includes a vessel for containing the fluidized bed, a mechanism for supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into the vessel for forming the fluidized bed in the vessel. The oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism includes one or more than one oxygen-containing gas injection lance having a lance tip with an outlet that is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas in a downward flow into the vessel within a range of plus or minus 40° to the vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Andreas Orth, Heinz Eichberger, Donald Keith Philp, Jeantine Van Gemund, Rod Dry
  • Patent number: 7820046
    Abstract: A filter assembly is provided for obtaining a filtered liquid sample from slurry, such as a liquid process stream that contains liquid, dissolved matter and solids. A housing defines a cavity. A rod is arranged in the cavity and supports a filter. A cartridge comprises the filter, and is arranged between the housing and the rod. Furthermore, there is a helicoidal passage for a slurry defined by the housing and the cartridge. There is also a cavity defined by the rod and the cartridge. The slurry has velocity that generates scouring and cleaning action on the filter media thus preventing cake formation on the filter. The filtering apparatus of the present invention provides reliable and continuous on-line sample delivery for an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Voitto Saarinen
  • Patent number: 7820134
    Abstract: There are described a process and a plant for producing sulfuric acid by catalytic oxidation of SO2 to SO3 and subsequent absorption of SO3 in sulfuric acid, wherein the SO3 is introduced into a first absorption stage and absorbed there in concentrated sulfuric acid, wherein the sulfuric acid having a higher concentration due to the absorption is passed through a heat exchanger and cooled, and wherein the non-absorbed SO3 is supplied to a second absorption stage for the further absorption in sulfuric acid. Before the first absorption stage a partial stream of SO3 is branched off and supplied directly to the second absorption stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Daum, Wolf-Christoph Rauser
  • Publication number: 20100263487
    Abstract: A method for producing char and fuel gas includes degasifying a carbonaceous material with oxygen-containing gases in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of more than about 1000° C. and at a pressure of from about 1 bar to about 40 bar. A supply of oxygen within the fluidized bed reactor is adjusted so as to recover more than 60% of fixed carbon in the carbonaceous material in a char product, and an oxygen availability in a lower or bottom region of the fluidized bed reactor is less than 80% of an oxygen availability in an upper region of the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventor: Andreas Orth
  • Patent number: 7811357
    Abstract: Sulphidic zinc concentrate usually also includes small amounts of rare metals such as indium and gallium. If the content of these metals in the raw material is sufficiently high, their recovery may be economically worthwhile. In the method according to the invention the recovery of indium and other desirable rare metals takes place in a zinc leaching process, in which at least part of the sulphidic concentrate is leached directly without roasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Marko Lahtinen, Mikko Ruonala, Kurt Svens, Stig-Göran Huldén, Sigmund Fugleberg
  • Patent number: 7811534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of copper-bearing materials, such as copper concentrates, so that the impurities and gangue minerals in the materials, such as silicates, are in effect removed completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Stig-Erik Hultholm, Seppo Heimala, Teemu Ritasalo, Mikko Ruonala
  • Patent number: 7803268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a plant for producing low 15 temperature coke, in which granular coal and possibly further solids are heated to a temperature of 700 to 1050° C. in a fluidized-bed reactor (2) by means of an oxygen-containing gas. To improve the utilization of energy it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through at least one gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber region (8) of the reactor (2), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (6) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (6) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (6) between 0.02 and 2 and in the 25 mixing chamber (8) between 0.3 and 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Andreas Orth, Martin Hirsch, Peter Weber
  • Publication number: 20100236636
    Abstract: A system for distributing a fluid via a packing disposed in a container, the packing configured to have the fluid trickle from a top to a bottom thereof, includes at least one distributor member including a pressure conduit having at least one nozzle configured to discharge the fluid therethrough and a distributor channel adjoining the distributor member. A width of the distributor channel does not substantially exceed a diameter of the distributor member. The distributor channel defines at least one outlet slot disposed at a lower end of the distributor channel. The at least one outlet slot has a specified width and is configured to discharge the fluid from the distributor channel to the packing via a guide member. The distributor channel is configured to receive the fluid discharged from the at least one nozzle so as to provide a specified level of the fluid in the distributor channel. The distributor channel forms a ventable chamber above the specified fluid level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Daum, Wolf-Christoph Rauser, Wolfram Schalk
  • Patent number: 7799114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering gold in connection with the hydrometallurgical production of copper from a waste or intermediate product containing sulphur and iron that is generated in the leaching of the copper raw material. The recovery of both copper and gold occurs in a chloride environment. The gold contained in the waste or intermediate is leached by means of divalent copper, oxygen and alkali bromide in a solution of copper (II) chloride and alkali chloride, in conditions where the oxygen-reduction potential is a maximum of 650 mV and the pH a minimum of 0.5. The bromide accelerates the dissolution of the gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Liisa Haavanlammi, Olli Hyvärinen, Marika Tiihonen, Reijo Tontti
  • Publication number: 20100229687
    Abstract: The mixer apparatus accordant with the invention includes a closed reactor, at least two mixers at different heights, which are on the same shaft, a gas feed pipe below the lower mixer and baffles. The blades of the mixers are mostly rectangular in shape and a minimum of six in number. The angle of inclination of the blades of the lower mixer is around 50-70° and that of the upper mixer around 25-35°. The number of baffles is at least six and their range around 20% of the reactor diameter. The invention is focused also the corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Stig-Erik Hultholm, Launo Lilja, Bror Nyman