Patents by Inventor Erkki Paatero

Erkki Paatero 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: 10689728
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrometallurgical technologies wherein liquid-liquid extraction, also called solvent extraction, is used to separate and concentrate metal ions. Exemplary embodiments relate to solvent extraction of copper and a diluent useful in copper solvent extraction. A bio-based composition can fulfil physico-chemical properties that are desired for solvent extraction. Moreover, a composition is disclosed, which in addition to providing more environmental friendly alternative, can also improve the solvent extraction process of copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY, NESTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Rami Saario, Jukka Kortelainen, Maija Rouhiainen, Virpi Rämö
  • Patent number: 10662499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regenerating the extractive potential of an organic hydroxyoxime-based extraction solution used in the recovery of metals by liquid-liquid extraction. The method is two-stage, in which a solid hydroxylamine is used in the reaction stage, and the removal of the undesirable compounds generated in the reaction occurs in the second stage by adsorption purification. The method of the invention is suitable for treatment of degraded oxime metal extractants in various process organic solutions both in aldehyde and ketoxime extractant solutions. The method can also be used to treat a mixture of degraded oxime extractants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: James Kabugo, Erkki Paatero
  • Publication number: 20190249273
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrometallurgical technologies wherein liquid-liquid extraction, also called solvent extraction, is used to separate and concentrate metal ions. Exemplary embodiments relate to solvent extraction of copper and a diluent useful in copper solvent extraction. A bio-based composition can fulfil physico-chemical properties that are desired for solvent extraction. Moreover, a composition is disclosed, which in addition to providing more environmental friendly alternative, can also improve the solvent extraction process of copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicants: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY, NESTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Rami Saario, Jukka Kortelainen, Maija Rouhiainen, Virpi Rämö
  • Patent number: 10221493
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering copper and zinc from an aqueous sulfate and chloride containing solution. In the first process step zinc and copper are simultaneous extracting with an extraction solution comprising a liquid chelating cation exchanger and a liquid anion exchanger. The extraction is followed by consecutive stripping stages. First the anionic species are washed from the organic phase with one or more aqueous solutions and finally the copper is stripped with an aqueous acidic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Kari Hietala, Mika Haapalainen
  • Patent number: 10060007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a gold-containing solution by chloride leaching from gold-bearing raw materials. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for recovering gold and optionally silver from the prepared gold-containing solution. The invention relates also to a process arrangement for recovering gold and optionally silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Ville Miettinen, Riina Ahtiainen, Kari Valkama, Erkki Paatero, Kari Hietala, Mika Haapalainen
  • Publication number: 20180073099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regenerating the extractive potential of an organic hydroxyoxime-based extraction solution used in the recovery of metals by liquid-liquid extraction. The method is two-stage, in which a solid hydroxylamine is used in the reaction stage, and the removal of the undesirable compounds generated in the reaction occurs in the second stage by adsorption purification. The method of the invention is suitable for treatment of degraded oxime metal extractants in various process organic solutions both in aldehyde and ketoxime extractant solutions. The method can also be used to treat a mixture of degraded oxime extractants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: James KABUGO, Erkki PAATERO
  • Publication number: 20160369417
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering copper and zinc from an aqueous sulfate and chloride containing solution. In the first process step zinc and copper are simultaneous extracting with an extraction solution comprising a liquid chelating cation exchanger and a liquid anion exchanger. The extraction is followed by consecutive stripping stages. First the anionic species are washed from the organic phase with one or more aqueous solutions and finally the copper is stripped with an aqueous acidic solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Erkki PAATERO, Kari HIETALA, Mika HAAPALAINEN
  • Publication number: 20160068927
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a gold-containing solution by chloride leaching from gold-bearing raw materials. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for recovering gold and optionally silver from the prepared gold-containing solution. The invention relates also to a process arrangement for recovering gold and optionally silver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Ville MIETTINEN, Riina AHTIAINEN, Kari VALKAMA, Erkki PAATERO, Kari HIETALA, Mika HAAPALAINEN
  • Publication number: 20150144540
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring the extractive potential of organic hydroxyoxime-based extraction solution used in the recovery of metals by liquid-liquid extraction are provided. The method is two-stage, in which an aqueous solution of hydroxylamine or some hydroxylamine compound is used in the reaction stage, and the removal of the undesirable compounds generated in the reaction occurs in the second stage by adsorption purification. The reaction stage and the adsorptive stage are carried out in a mixing tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Kai Jyrkkä, Sami Virolainen
  • Patent number: 8974673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for restoring the extractive potential of organic hydroxyoxime-based extraction solution used in the recovery of metals by liquid-liquid extraction. The method is two-stage, in which an aqueous solution of hydroxylamine or some hydroxylamine compound is used in the reaction stage, and the removal of the undesirable compounds generated in the reaction occurs in the second stage by adsorption purification. The reaction stage and the adsorptive stage are carried out in a mixing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Kai Jyrkkä, Sami Virolainen
  • Patent number: 8961795
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing molybdenum and other possible impurities from an organic copper-containing extraction solution in connection with the liquid-liquid extraction related to copper recovery. The removal of impurities occurs in one or several removal units built into the organic extraction solution storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Hannu Laitala, Erkki Paatero, Bror Nyman, Eero Ekman
  • Patent number: 8926924
    Abstract: A method for the selective recovery of uranium from a sulphate-based acidic aqueous solution of uranium containing iron and other metals by means of solvent extraction, in which the extractant used in the organic extraction solution is bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and a liquid branched trialkyl phosphine oxide is the modifying agent. It is typical of the method that the uranium concentration in the feed solution is less than 50 mg/l and a reducing agent is introduced into the aqueous and/or extraction solution to prevent the permanent oxidation of iron to trivalent. In the method the majority of the extraction solution is circulated in a circuit consisting of the extraction stage and the storage tank and only a small part of the uranium-loaded extraction solution is routed to scrubbing and stripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Bror Nyman, Erkki Paatero, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Eero Ekman
  • Patent number: 8926730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering gold by solvent extraction from an acidic chloride-containing aqueous solution or from slurry containing gold-bearing solids using a diester-based reagent that is poorly soluble in water as organic extraction solution. In accordance with the method, gold is extracted extremely effectively, but other precious metals and many other metals quite sparingly. Gold is stripped from the extraction phase with pure water, from which the gold can be reduced either chemically or electrochemically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Mika Haapalainen
  • Publication number: 20130104701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering gold by solvent extraction from an acidic chloride-containing aqueous solution or from slurry containing gold-bearing solids using a diester-based reagent that is poorly soluble in water as organic extraction solution. In accordance with the method, gold is extracted extremely effectively, but other precious metals and many other metals quite sparingly. Gold is stripped from the extraction phase with pure water, from which the gold can be reduced either chemically or electrochemically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Mika Haapalainen
  • Publication number: 20120297929
    Abstract: A method for the selective recovery of uranium from a sulphate-based acidic aqueous solution of uranium containing iron and other metals by means of solvent extraction, in which the extractant used in the organic extraction solution is bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and a liquid branched trialkyl phosphine oxide is the modifying agent. It is typical of the method that the uranium concentration in the feed solution is less than 50 mg/l and a reducing agent is introduced into the aqueous and/or extraction solution to prevent the permanent oxidation of iron to trivalent. In the method the majority of the extraction solution is circulated in a circuit consisting of the extraction stage and the storage tank and only a small part of the uranium-loaded extraction solution is routed to scrubbing and stripping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Bror Nyman, Erkki Paatero, Stig-Erik Hultholm, Eero Ekman
  • Publication number: 20120080382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for restoring the extractive potential of organic hydroxyoxime-based extraction solution used in the recovery of metals by liquid-liquid extraction. The method is two-stage, in which an aqueous solution of hydroxylamine or some hydroxylamine compound is used in the reaction stage, and the removal of the undesirable compounds generated in the reaction occurs in the second stage by adsorption purification. The reaction stage and the adsorptive stage are carried out in a mixing tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Kai Jyrkkä, Sami Virolainen
  • Publication number: 20120018376
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing molybdenum and other possible impurities from an organic copper-containing extraction solution in connection with the liquid-liquid extraction related to copper recovery. The removal of impurities occurs in one or several removal units built into the organic extraction solution storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Hannu Laitala, Erkki Paatero, Bror Nyman, Eero Ekman
  • Patent number: 6924371
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin for chromatographic separation of carbohydrates. In the invention the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction of carbohydrates, sugars and sugar alcohols with the weakly acid cation exchange resin is utilized. The weakly acid cation exchange resin is used for separation of hydrophobic saccharides, such as deoxy, methyl and anhydrosugars and anhydrosugaralcohols from more hydrophilic saccharides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Ari Kärki, Heikki Heikkilä, Juho Jumppanen, Jari Tiihonen, Tiina Tervala, Nina Mäyrä, Vili Ravanko, Hannu Paananen, Erkki Paatero
  • Publication number: 20040006223
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin for chromatographic separation of carbohydrates. In the invention the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction of carbohydrates, sugars and sugar alcohols with the weakly acid cation exchange resin is utilised. The weakly acid cation exchange resin is used for separation of hydrophobic saccharides, such as deoxy, methyl and anhydrosugars and anhydrosugaralcohols from more hydrophilic saccharides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Ari Karki, Heikki Heikkila, Juho Jumppanen, Jari Tiihonen, Tiina Tervala, Nina Mayra, Vili Ravanko, Hannu Paananen, Erkki Paatero
  • Patent number: 6664340
    Abstract: The invention relates to sulphonated polymer resins, particularly polymer resins with a sulphonated shell layer, and the preparation thereof. Resins according to the invention are prepared by sulphonating a polymer in a non-swollen state with substantially pure gaseous sulphur trioxide substantially in the shell layer of the polymer particles. The polymer to be sulphonated can be for example a styrene-DVB copolymer. The resins according to the invention can be used for example as chromatographic resins, ion-exchange resins and catalyst resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Danisco Finland Oy
    Inventors: Ari Kärki, Erkki Paatero, Heikki Heikkilä, Heikki Mononen, Hannu Paananen, Jari Tiihonen