Patents by Inventor Hilke VERBRUGGEN

Hilke VERBRUGGEN 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).

  • Method for the recovery of platinum group metals from catalysts comprising silicon carbide
    Patent number: 11879164
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process suitable for the recovery of platinum group metals (PGM) present in PGM-bearing catalysts comprising silicon carbide (SiC). More particularly, the process for the recovery of PGM present in PGM-bearing catalysts comprising SiC, comprises the steps of preparing a metallurgical charge by mixing the PGM-bearing catalysts with an Fe-oxide compound in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least 65% of the SiC, and feeding the metallurgical charge and slag formers to a smelting furnace operating in conditions susceptible to form a liquid Fe-based bullion, which contains PGM, and a liquid slag. Good to excellent PGM yields are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: UMICORE
    Inventors: Dirk Crauwels, Tim Van Rompaey, Hilke Verbruggen
  • METHOD FOR THE RECOVERY OF PLATINUM GROUP METALS FROM CATALYSTS COMPRISING SILICON CARBIDE
    Publication number: 20230034873
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process suitable for the recovery of platinum group metals (PGM) present in PGM-bearing catalysts comprising silicon carbide (SiC). More particularly, the process for the recovery of PGM present in PGM-bearing catalysts comprising SiC, comprises the steps of preparing a metallurgical charge by mixing the PGM-bearing catalysts with an Fe-oxide compound in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least 65% of the SiC, and feeding the metallurgical charge and slag formers to a smelting furnace operating in conditions susceptible to form a liquid Fe-based bullion, which contains PGM, and a liquid slag. Good to excellent PGM yields are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Dirk CRAUWELS, Tim VAN ROMPAEY, Hilke VERBRUGGEN