Patents Examined by Tima A McGuthry Banks
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Patent number: 6106589Abstract: An agent for treating metal ions in an aqueous solution, which comprises an anthrahydroquinone compound and a metal supported on a carbonaceous carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignees: Kawasaki Kasei Chemicals Ltd., N.E. Chemcat CorporationInventors: Suehide Hirata, Koji Kusabe, Hiroshi Nakamura, Kikuo Fujiwara
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Patent number: 6102983Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant for the manufacture of cast iron with lamellar, compacted or spheroidal graphite. The inoculant comprises between 40 and 80% by weight of silicon, between 0.5 and 10% by weight of calcium and/or strontium and/or barium, between 0 and 10% by weight of cerium and/or lanthanum, between 0 and 5% by weight of magnesium, less than 5% by weight of aluminium, between 0 and 10% by weight of manganese and/or titanium and/or zirconium, between 0.5 and 10% by weight of oxygen in the form of one or more metal oxides, the balance being iron, said inoculant further comprising between 0,1 and 10% by weight of sulphur in the form of one or more metal sulphides. The invention further relates to a method for the production of the inoculant.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Elkem ASAInventor: Torbj.o slashed.rn Skaland
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Patent number: 6096112Abstract: A process for preparing high carbon content briquettes includes providing a particulate material which includes iron particles including iron oxide in an amount of at least about 4% based on weight of the material, and carbon particles in an amount greater than about 2% based on weight of the material; and subjecting the material to briquetting temperature and pressure so as to provide stable agglomerate briquettes of the material.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Orinoco Iron, C.A.Inventors: Emilio Quero Masso, David Carrasquero
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Patent number: 6096110Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning slag, created in metallurgical processes of non-ferrous metals, in an electric furnace, and particularly the method is related to a semi-continuous cleaning process. According to the novel method, the electric furnace is provided with at least two slag tapping holes, the lower of which is arranged on the same level as the tap hole in a conventional, batchwise operated furnace, and the second tap hole is located higher up, either at the height of the feed inlet or only slightly underneath it.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Outokumpu OYJInventor: Tarmo Mantymaki
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Patent number: 6093235Abstract: A process for decarburizing a steel melt for the production of high-chromium steels by blowing in oxygen in which the decarburization rate is continuously measured and the amount of oxygen to be injected is adjusted depending on the measured values. The following controlled quantities are calculated:a) the duration of the Al--Si oxidation phase at the start of the decarburization process,b) the duration of a principle decarburization phase immediately following the Al--Si oxidation phase until the transition point from the decarburization reaction to the metal oxidation is reached, andc) the decarburization rate in the principal decarburization phase. The injected oxygen quantity is increased at an accelerated rate immediately following the Al--Si oxidation phase to the oxygen quantity of the principal decarburization phase until the decarburization rate calculated in c) is reached.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Mannesmann AGInventor: Johann Reichel
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Patent number: 6086690Abstract: A process of producing an aluminum alloy sheet article of high yield strength and ductility suitable, in particular, for use in manufacturing automotive panels. The process comprises casting a non heat-treatable aluminum alloy to form a cast slab, and subjecting said cast slab to a series of rolling steps to produce a sheet article of final gauge, preferably followed by annealing to cause recrystallization. The rolling steps involve hot and warm rolling the slab to form an intermediate sheet article of intermediate gauge, cooling the intermediate sheet article, and then warm and cold rolling the cooled intermediate sheet to final gauge at a temperature in the range of ambient temperature to 340.degree. C. to form said sheet article. The series of rolling steps is carried out continuously without intermediate coiling or full annealing of the intermediate sheet article. The invention also relates to the alloy sheet article produced by the process.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Paul Wycliffe, Edward Stanley Luce
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Patent number: 6083294Abstract: A method of treating dust exhausted from a melting furnace in melting an iron-contained material, comprising the steps of: melting the iron-contained material, with air inside the melting furnace shut out from outside air and collecting the dust from the melting furnace into which a gas exhausted from the melting furnace and containing the dust is introduced; performing a lead-collecting process of collecting water, chloride, fluorine, and lead by heating the exhausted dust in vacuum; and performing a zinc-collecting process of collecting metallic zinc contained in the dust by heating a residue of the exhausted dust in vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignees: Aichi Steel Works, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyokin Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshikatsu Hara, Hirohiko Sasamoto, Yuji Okada, Kazuhiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 6083296Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides in a metallurgical vessel containing a molten bath having a metal layer and a slag layer is disclosed. The method is characterized by injecting a carrier gas and a solid carbonaceous material and/or metal oxides into the molten bath from a side of the vessel that is in contact with the molten bath or from above the molten bath so that the solids penetrate the molten bath and cause molten metal to be projected into the gas space above the molten bath to form a transition zone. The method is also characterized by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the gas space to post-combust reaction gases released from the molten bath into the transition zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. LimitedInventors: John Alexander Innes, Robin John Batterham, Rod James Dry
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Patent number: 6080224Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing waste that contains contaminants. The contaminants may be metals modified by carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, or sulfur. The waste in the form of a powder is mixed with an ionic reducing agent in an inert liquid medium. The mixture is melted to give a first liquid phase and a second metal phase. The two phases are separated and solidified to enable disposal or temporary storage of the first liquid phase and to enable recycling of the second metal phase. The method is useful for inerting or reclaiming waste containing metal contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: CernixInventors: Jean-Michel Turmel, Jean Rocherulle, Paul Grange, John Razafindrakoto, Patrick Verdier, Yves Laurent
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Patent number: 6077329Abstract: Fine aluminum powders are prepared by decomposing alane-adducts in organic olvents under an inert atmosphere to provide highly uniform particles and believed particularly effective as fuels and additives, in pyrotechnics, and in energetic materials. Effective adduct species are trialkyl amines and tetramethylethylenediamine, ethers and other aromatic amines. Effective production is obtained at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures as low as 50.degree. C. with xylene solvent. Toluene, dioxane, and tetramethylethylenediamine were also effective solvents. Aliphatic solvents and other aromatic and polar solvents are believed effective. Titanium catalyst was provided as a halide, amide, and alkoxide; and it is believed that the corresponding compounds of zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and tantalum are effective as catalysts. Particle size was controlled by varying catalyst concentration and by varying the concentration of an adducting species.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kelvin T. Higa, Curtis E. Johnson, Richard A. Hollins
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Patent number: 6068676Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing steels with predominantly high Cr content and/or ferro-alloys, wherein the metal charge is melted in a melting crucible, is alloyed, refined and reduced, and wherein process gases are simultaneously supplied through bottom nozzles. A melting crucible is used with a specific reaction volume of 0.4 to 1.5 m.sup.3 /t steel and the injection rates of the process gases are controlled in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 N m.sup.3 /t/min. The solid charge material is melted by an electric arc and air/nitrogen are injected simultaneously and, after forming a liquid sump, a gas mixture of oxygen and inert gas is injected. After adding slag-forming constituents and alloying agents, the oxygen throughput is increased and the power of the electric arc is reduced accordingly. The oxygen throughput is reduced in relation to the inert gas during refining and decarburization takes place as a result of increasing the electric arc with low chromium slag formation.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: SMS Schloeman-Siemag AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wei-Ping Wu, Karl-Heinz Deppner, Karl-Josef Schneider
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Patent number: 6063155Abstract: A process for conversion of iron oxide to iron carbide, including the steps of: providing a fluidized bed reactor having a metallizing zone and a carburizing zone; feeding iron oxide to the reactor; feeding a reducing gas to the reactor so as to provide reduced iron in the metallizing zone; and feeding a carburizing gas to the carburizing zone so as to provide a final iron carbide product in the carburizing zone having between about 2.2% wt. and about 6.5 wt. % carbon and at least about 80% wt. iron.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Orinoco Iron, C.A.Inventors: Emilio Quero Masso, David Carrasquero
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Patent number: 6063156Abstract: A method for producing a molten iron from a compact containing a carbonaceous reductant and an iron oxide is carried out extremely efficiently with a simple operation. The compact is supplied to a molten iron bath or a molten slag on the molten iron bath so as to float on the molten iron bath and/or the molten slag such that a part or most of the compact surface is substantially exposed to a high temperature gas atmosphere in the furnace for taking in a reduced iron generated by the reduction of the iron oxide in the compact.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko ShoInventors: Takuya Negami, Akira Uragami
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Patent number: 6063158Abstract: The subject invention provides a novel process and bioreactor for enhancing the bioleaching of metals from sulfide mineral concentrations.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: MBX Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Sharp, deceased, Kevin L. Stuffle, Kelly L. Karlage, Tom L. Young
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Patent number: 6059894Abstract: A fluxing composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a high molecular weight carboxylic acid that forms a combination of carboxylate salts and unreacted acid anhydrides when applied to a solder alloy and exposed to temperatures in the range of about 150 to 350.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere and a carrier fluid comprising a mixture of organic solvents that is heat stable and non-reactive with the solder alloy and has a high viscosity at room temperature. Also disclosed is an integrated circuit assembly comprising an integrated circuit comprising a chip attached to a substrate by a plurality of solder joints and a thin layer of a residue comprising the carboxylate salts and acid anhydride. The film of residue is formed concomitantly with the formation of the solder joints during the reflow cycle. Since the residue is reactive with an epoxy used in bonding the chip to the substrate, the usual process step of cleaning the flux residue prior to dispensing the epoxy is obviated.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Rajendra D. Pendse
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Patent number: 6053964Abstract: An apparatus for applying a leaching solution to a mass of ore includes a plurality of first tubes which are connected to a supply of leaching solution. Each of the first tubes is fitted with emitters which are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of each first tube. The first tubes are connected with a manifold on their distal ends. A second tube is connected to the manifold. The second tube is fitted with a sprinkler which is positioned to distribute leaching solution over the surface area of the ore mass which is positioned intermediate adjacent emitters.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Inventor: Gary W. Harrell
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Patent number: 6053963Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating rotary slag containing iron and sodium compounds. The method involves treating the slag in a sulfuric acid solution to convert the iron and sodium within the slag to iron sulfate and sodium sulfate. The iron sulfate (along with substantially all of the heavy metal contaminants) forms a precipitate, while the sodium sulfate remains in solution. The precipitate can then be separated from the solution.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Graves, Jr.
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Patent number: 6053961Abstract: Method and apparatus for smelting iron ore in which iron ore is preheated and partly reduced within a first reaction zone and then further reduced in a second reaction zone. The first reaction zone can be a shaft reduction furnace and the second reaction zone can be a melter gasifier. An auxiliary third reaction zone partially oxidizes a carbonaceous material to produce char for the third reaction zone. A reducing gas produced by partial oxidation of the char is used to effect the partial reduction conducted within the first reaction zone. Volatile substances contained within a heating gas produced by the partial oxidation within the auxiliary third reaction zone is further oxidized and used to preheat the iron ore within the first reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.Inventor: Donald Prentice Satchell, Jr.
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Patent number: 6051048Abstract: A first, solid, carbon-containing fuel is gasified and iron is melted in a gasifier-melter. A first flow of resulting fuel gas is employed to form the iron in a vertical shaft furnace by direct reduction of iron ore. A second flow of resulting fuel gas is mixed with fuel gas produced by separately gasifying a second carbon-containing fuel in a second gasifier, in which no iron is melted and which supplies essentially no carbonaceous solid fuel to the first gasification stage. This mixing helps to dampen fluctuations in the flow rate of the second flow of the resulting fuel gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: The BOC Group plcInventor: Brian Anthony Keenan
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Patent number: 6051182Abstract: A separator for use in a direct reduction reactor comprises an elongated tubular housing having a cooling chamber for receiving a cooling medium for cooling the internal wall surface of the separator contacted by metallized iron fines.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Brifer International Ltd.Inventors: Wolfgang A. Albarran, Adersido De Jesus Gomez, Oscar G. Dam