Patents Examined by Melvyn Andrews
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Patent number: 6939391Abstract: A molten bath-based direct smelting process for producing ferrous metal from a ferrous feed material is disclosed. The process is characterised by injecting pro-heated air downwardly into metallurgical vessel at an angle of 20 to 90° C. relative to a horizontal axis and at a temperature of 800-1400 ° C. and at a velocity of 200-600 m/s via at least one lance (27) . This step forces molten material in the region of a lower end of the lance away from the lance and forming a “free”space around the lower end of the lance that has a concentration of molten material that is lower than the molten material concentration in the raised bath. The process is further characterised in that the lance is located so that: (i) the lance extends into the vessel a distance that is at least the outer diameter of he lover end of the lance; and (ii) the lower end of the lance is at least 3 times the outer diameter of the lower end of the lance above a quiescent surface of the molt bath.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Technological Resources Pty LtdInventors: Rodney J. Dry, Peter Burke
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Patent number: 6936090Abstract: A process for elution of rhenium adsorbed on strongly basic ion-exchange resins by means of highly concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid solution is described, in which the ion-exchange resin is treated with aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: H. C. Starck GmbHInventors: Juliane Meese-Marktscheffel, Viktor Stoller, Armin Olbrich, Wolfgang Mathy, Michael Erb
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Patent number: 6936089Abstract: A molten aluminum alloy processing method is intended use sludge produced by the zinc phosphate treatment of structures including those of aluminum alloys effectively as a flux for molten aluminum alloy processing. The flux contains 3 to 30% by mass fluorine-equivalent metal fluorides, 40 to 90% by mass metal phosphates (8 to 18% by mass P) and 50% by mass or below inorganic salts. The sum of contents of the inorganic salts and metal phosphates is 90% by mass or below.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventors: Hideo Fujimoto, Kazuharu Masada, Toshiko Ogawa, Tadashi Mantani, Tadao Meguro
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Patent number: 6932853Abstract: A method of operating mechanical separation devices at high temperatures to separate various volatile metals, metal halides and metal oxides to produce high purity materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Heritage Environmental Services LLCInventors: James E. Bratina, Fred M. Fehsenfeld
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Patent number: 6932855Abstract: A method for recycling metals from swarf includes steps of removing oil in swarf by means of surfactant having a feature of strong hydrophilicity. The steps involves repeated stirring and washing, separating solid from liquid, and separating oil from water so as to force oil separate from the surface of solid, finishing all the steps in 10–30 minutes. Metals after finished the treatment may have only 1% of oil remained thereon, possible to be reused in metalworking. Oil and washing solution are also reusable after treated, so the method is effective both for treating waste and for recycling resources.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: National Kaohsiung First University of Science and TechnologyInventors: James I. Chang, Neng-Hsin Chiu, You-Ming Jang, Chun-Chi Lin
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Patent number: 6932854Abstract: A method for producing low carbon steel wherein molten steel is decarburized in a three stage refining procedure comprising a first stage wherein oxygen is provided for decarburization enveloped in a gas shroud, a second stage wherein oxygen is provided for decarburization enveloped in a flame shroud, and a third stage wherein inert gas or oxygen and inert gas is provided enveloped in a flame shroud.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Francis Riley, William John Mahoney
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Patent number: 6929674Abstract: A cover gas composition for protecting molten magnesium/magnesium alloy includes a fluorine containing inhibiting agent and a carrier gas. Each component of the composition has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) (referenced to the absolute GWP for carbon dioxide at a time horizon of 100 years) of less than 5000.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Cast Centre Pty LtdInventors: Nigel Jeffrie Ricketts, Malcolm Timothy Frost, Simon Paul Cashion, Craig John Korn, Phillip Wilmott Baker
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Patent number: 6929677Abstract: This invention relates to a method where sulfidic iron-bearing copper concentrate is leached on the countercurrent principle, in a chloride environment. The leaching takes place with the aid of bivalent copper and an oxygen-bearing gas as a multi-stage continuous process, under normal pressure, at a temperature, which as highest corresponds to the boiling point of the solution. Part of the insoluble solid matter is returned, counter to the main flow of solid matter, to one of the previous leaching stages or reactors where, as a result of the extended leaching time, the leach waste iron is recovered mostly as hematite.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Outokumpu Technology OyInventor: Matti Hämäläinen
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Patent number: 6926752Abstract: This invention relates to a method for stabilizing a fluidized bed used in roasting by adjusting the oxygen content of the roasting gas in the bed. The fine-grained material for roasting is fed into the furnace above the fluidized bed and the roasting gas, which causes the fluidizing, is fed into the bottom of the furnace through a grate. In this method, the total amount of oxygen in the roasting gas to be fed and the average total oxygen requirement of the material to be roasted are calculated and the ratio between them regulated so that the oxygen coefficient in the bed is over 1.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Outokumpu OyjInventors: Pekka Taskinen, Maija-Leena Metsärinta, Jens Nyberg, Aija Rytioja
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Patent number: 6926755Abstract: An article of aluminum base-metal alloyed with an alloying element is prepared by mixing a chemically reducible nonmetallic base-metal precursor compound of the aluminum base-metal and a chemically reducible nonmetallic alloying-element precursor compound of an alloying element to form a precursor compound mixture. The alloying element may be, but is not necessarily, thermophysically melt incompatible with the aluminum base metal. The method further includes chemically reducing the precursor compound mixture to a metallic alloy, without melting the metallic alloy, and thereafter consolidating the metallic alloy to produce a consolidated metallic article, without melting the metallic alloy and without melting the consolidated metallic article.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Clifford Earl Shamblen, Andrew Philip Woodfield, Eric Allen Ott, Michael Francis Xavier Gigliotti
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Patent number: 6926754Abstract: An article of a base metal alloyed with an alloying element is prepared by mixing a chemically reducible nonmetallic base-metal precursor compound of a base metal and a chemically reducible nonmetallic alloying-element precursor compound of an alloying element to form a compound mixture. The base metal is nickel, cobalt, iron, iron-nickel, or iron-nickel-cobalt. One or more of the alloying elements are thermophysically melt incompatible with the base metal. The method further includes chemically reducing the compound mixture to a metallic superalloy, without melting the metallic superalloy, and thereafter consolidating the metallic superalloy to produce a consolidated metallic article, without melting the metallic superalloy and without melting the consolidated metallic article.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Clifford Earl Shamblen, Andrew Philip Woodfield, Eric Allen Ott, Michael Francis Xavier Gigliotti
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Patent number: 6926753Abstract: A procedure to agglutinate ore concentrations, which can be of copper, on a gravel heap, to be leached on a non-flooded bed which comprises: artificially adhering the concentrate to the surface of a solid material base, which can be an artificial material, or a stony substance; the agglutinated material is stockpiled, forming a leaching pile; and is irrigated with a leaching solution containing at least Cl, Cu, and Fe ions.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Minera Michilla S.A.Inventors: Jaime Rauld Faine, Freddy Aroca Alfaro, Raul Montealegre Jullian, Abraham Backit Gutierrez
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Patent number: 6923843Abstract: A method of processing molten metal by the injection of oxygen through a water cooled supersonic oxygen injection lance. In the first step of the process, oxygen is injected through the injection lance at an initial flowrate to the process which is the optimal flowrate for the lance tip design. Thereafter, at least one process variable relating to the required oxygen flowrate is continuously measured, and oxygen flowrate may be reduced. A second gas flowrate is admixed to the injection lance to maintain the optimal overall gas flowrate to the process while reducing the oxygen flowrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Nupro CorporationInventors: Frank L. Kemeny, Michael J. Strelbisky
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Patent number: 6923875Abstract: According to present invention, there is provided a lead-free solder precipitating composition comprising a tin powder, and a complex of silver ions and/or copper ions and aryl phosphines, alkyl phosphine, phosphines or azoles. The solder precipitating composition can form proper lead-free solder on lands of a circuit board, without forming silver and/or copper film on the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Harima Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Kazuki Ikeda, Hiroshi Tanaka, Hisao Irie, Keigo Obata, Takao Takeuchi, Naoya Inoue
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Patent number: 6921427Abstract: The present invention provides a process for cold briquetting and pelletization of ferrous or non-ferrous or mineral fines using iron bearing hydraulic mineral binders for metallurgical applications, said process consisting the steps of: mixing 80-95% by Wt. of a metallurgical/mineral/carbonaceous/oil contaminated dust/fines/sludge with 3-10% by Wt. of an iron bearing hydraulic mineral binder and optionally with 2-6% by Wt. water and 0.05 to 0.20% by Wt. of a surface active agent to form a homogenized dry mix/slurry, pelletizing/compacting the dry mix/slurry to form an agglomerated mass, and curing the agglomerated mass for 3-20 days by exposing the agglomerated mass to atmospheric air for 10-14 hours followed by moisture treatment.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial ResearchInventors: Bansidhar Nayak, Vibhuki N. Mishra
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Patent number: 6921426Abstract: A copper concentrate obtained by flotation of a high grade copper ore containing chalcopyrite as a main mineral constituent is leached at a temperature of 100° C. or higher, and under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure yielding a copper leachate containing ferric ions of at least 5 g/L and sulfuric acid, and this copper leachate is used in heap leaching or vat leaching of a low grade copper ore, whereby a method of recovering copper economically from a material containing copper is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Imamura, Hideyuki Okamoto, Iichi Nakamura
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Patent number: 6918942Abstract: Titanium-aluminum alloy is prepared as a master alloy, and the aluminum master alloy and a pure titanium material are melted by an electron beam to yield titanium alloy.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Toho Titanium Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Hatta, Toshihiko Sakai, Takeshi Shiraki, Takeshi Sannohe, Osamu Tada
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Patent number: 6918944Abstract: A nonfired agglomerated ore which is satisfactory in reduction property in the shaft of a blast furnace and excellent in rapid heating bursting property and a production method thereof are provided. A carbon containing nonfired agglomerated ore for blast furnace which is prepared in such a way that iron oxide and a carbonaceous material are blended with each other to prepare a mixture, a binder is added to the mixture, and the mixture is kneaded, formed, and cured, wherein the agglomerated ore contains carbon in the content of 80 to 120% of the theoretical carbon quantity required to reduce the reducible oxygen in the iron ores to form metallic iron, and the binder is selected so that the crushing strength may be 7,850 kN/m2 or more at room temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignees: Tetsugen Corporation, Nippon Steel CorporationInventors: Hideo Kanoshima, Seita Uekawa, Koji Morimoto, Shinichi Matsunaga, Masaaki Naito
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Patent number: 6918947Abstract: A method for making reduced iron using blast-furnace sludge is provided. The method includes a mixing step of mixing the blast-furnace sludge and an iron-oxide-containing powder to prepare a mixed material, an agglomerating step of agglomerating the mixed material to form agglomerates, a feeding step of feeding the agglomerates onto a continuously moving hearth, and a reducing step of heating the agglomerates to remove zinc and reduce the agglomerates.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Maki, Yoshiyuki Matsui, Takeshi Sugiyama, Takao Harada, Masahiko Tetsumoto, Hiroshi Tamazawa, Tadashi Ueda, Koichi Morioka, Nobuyuki Iwasaki, Hidetoshi Tanaka, Kojiro Fuji, Hiroshi Sugitatsu
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Patent number: 6916357Abstract: Granular ore or ore concentrate is charged into a furnace for calcining the ore at temperatures of 400 to 1050° C., the ore forming a stationary fluidized bed in the furnace. The ore is thrown onto the fluidized bed through an opening in the furnace housing disposed above the fluidized bed, the ore being accelerated by blades of a rotating impeller. The impeller is disposed outside the furnace in the vicinity of the opening of the housing. Preferably, the rotational speed of the impeller is variable, and the impeller is movable and/or pivotable with respect to the furnace.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Inventors: Michael Ströder, Horst Zingrebe, Hubert Vollmer