Patents by Inventor Dennis D. Gertenbach

Dennis D. Gertenbach has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10662502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20180298505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 10006133
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce a loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20160068977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 9187803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 9175366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and a leach medium comprising ammonia and ammonium carbonate, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20140260806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20140260807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and a leach medium comprising ammonia and ammonium carbonate, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 8506673
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for removing dissolved or colloidal silica from a pregnant leach solution (“PLS”). More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a, process which mixes PLS with an acid source, preferably lean electrolyte, to induce formation of colloidal silica that can then be collected and removed. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one silica seeding agent is added to induce formation of colloidal silica, at least one flocculant is added to induce aggregation of the colloidal silica, and a solid-liquid separation process is utilized to remove advantageous amounts or substantially all of the colloidal silica, thereby providing relief from supersaturation of dissolved silica in the metal recovery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: James D Gillaspie, David R Baughman, Dennis D Gertenbach, Wayne W Hazen, George Owusu, John C Wilmot
  • Publication number: 20120125160
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for removing dissolved or colloidal silica from a pregnant leach solution (“PLS”). More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a, process which mixes PLS with an acid source, preferably lean electrolyte, to induce formation of colloidal silica that can then be collected and removed. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one silica seeding agent is added to induce formation of colloidal silica, at least one flocculant is added to induce aggregation of the colloidal silica, and a solid-liquid separation process is utilized to remove advantageous amounts or substantially all of the colloidal silica, thereby providing relief from supersaturation of dissolved silica in the metal recovery processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D Gillaspie, David R. Baughman, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Wayne W. Hazen, George Owusu, John C Wilmot
  • Patent number: 8114365
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for removing dissolved or colloidal silica from a pregnant leach solution (“PLS”). More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a process which mixes PLS with an acid source, preferably lean electrolyte, to induce formation of colloidal silica that can then be collected and removed. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one silica seeding agent is added to induce formation of colloidal silica, at least one flocculant is added to induce aggregation of the colloidal silica, and a solid-liquid separation process is utilized to remove advantageous amounts or substantially all of the colloidal silica, thereby providing relief from supersaturation of dissolved silica in the metal recovery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Freepoint-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Gillaspie, David R. Baughman, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Wayne W. Hazen, George Owusu, John C. Wilmot
  • Publication number: 20110000337
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for removing dissolved or colloidal silica from a pregnant leach solution (“PLS”). More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a process which mixes PLS with an acid source, preferably lean electrolyte, to induce formation of colloidal silica that can then be collected and removed. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one silica seeding agent is added to induce formation of colloidal silica, at least one flocculant is added to induce aggregation of the colloidal silica, and a solid-liquid separation process is utilized to remove advantageous amounts or substantially all of the colloidal silica, thereby providing relief from supersaturation of dissolved silica in the metal recovery processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Gillaspie, David R. Baughman, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Wayne W. Hazen, George Owusu, John C. Wilmot
  • Patent number: 7691347
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for removing dissolved or colloidal silica from a pregnant leach solution (“PLS”). More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a process which mixes PLS with an acid source, preferably lean electrolyte, to induce formation of colloidal silica that can then be collected and removed. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one silica seeding agent is added to induce formation of colloidal silica, at least one flocculant is added to induce aggregation of the colloidal silica, and a solid-liquid separation process is utilized to remove advantageous amounts or substantially all of the colloidal silica, thereby providing relief from supersaturation of dissolved silica in the metal recovery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Gillaspie, David R. Baughman, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Wayne W. Hazen, George Owusu, John C. Wilmot
  • Publication number: 20090074640
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for removing dissolved or colloidal silica from a pregnant leach solution (“PLS”). More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a process which mixes PLS with an acid source, preferably lean electrolyte, to induce formation of colloidal silica that can then be collected and removed. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one silica seeding agent is added to induce formation of colloidal silica, at least one flocculant is added to induce aggregation of the colloidal silica, and a solid-liquid separation process is utilized to remove advantageous amounts or substantially all of the colloidal silica, thereby providing relief from supersaturation of dissolved silica in the metal recovery processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Gillaspie, David R. Baughman, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Wayne W. Hazen, George Owusu, John C. Wilmot
  • Patent number: 6132726
    Abstract: In general the present invention relates to a process for the removal of undesireable compounds or residues from an extract which are more polar or less polar than the desired target compound. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a three step process and is described in detail below. The first step includes contacting a plant material that contains the desired target compound(s) with a solvent, thus producing a crude extract containing a mixture of compounds that includes, in addition to the undesireable residues, the desired target compound(s). The second step involves passing the crude extract through a series of columns containing an absorbent that retards the movement of the undesireable compounds, while allowing the desired compounds to pass. The third and final step involves drying the eluant product to achieve a final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Hauser, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Daughenbaugh, David T. Bailey, William R. Gamble, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 4778586
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the transportability of a hydrocarbon composition by passing an influent feed stream of composition into a downcomer to provide a hydrostatic column of fluid. The influent stream is heated by heat exchange with an effluent product stream wherein at least one of the streams is in turbulent flow. The feed stream is pressurized by the hydrostatic pressure head to a reaction pressure of at least about 1000 psi. The heated and pressurized feed stream is contacted with an active heat source in a reaction zone to increase the temperature of the feed stream to a reaction temperature of between about 300.degree. C. and the coking temperature of the hydrocarbon composition. The temperature differential between the active heat source and the feed stream in the reaction zone is maintained at less than about 30.degree. C. to provide a treated effluent stream which is brought into heat exchange contact with the influent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Resource Technology Associates
    Inventors: Richard L. Bain, John R. Larson, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Daniel W. Gillespie, Joseph J. Leto
  • Patent number: 4648964
    Abstract: A process suitable for separating the hydrocarbon fraction from a tar sands froth is provided. The process comprises heating a fluid stream comprising the froth to above about 300.degree. C., pressurizing the stream to above about 1000 psig and separating the hydrocarbon fraction, having less than 1 percent solids and less than 5 percent water, from the treated stream. Separation is preferably by gravitational settling in a settler and occurs substantially instantaneously. The heat/pressure treatment can be optionally followed by addition of a diluent, such as naphtha. The pressure is preferably produced by the hydrostatic head of a column of froth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Resource Technology Associates
    Inventors: Joseph J. Leto, Dennis D. Gertenbach, Daniel W. Gillespie