Patents by Inventor Jan D. Miller
Jan D. Miller 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).
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Patent number: 4894407Abstract: An extraction composition useful for extracting gold or silver values from aqueous systems containing gold or silver cyanide anions. Useful extractions include organic oxides of phosphrous and sulfur attached to an inert resinous substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1988Date of Patent: January 16, 1990Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Spiro D. Alexandratos
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Patent number: 4838434Abstract: The present invention is directed to air sparged hydrocyclone flotation apparatus and methods for separating particles from particulate suspensions (such as coal and mineral ore slurries), wherein fluid discharge is removed annularly from a flotation vessel. Preferably, the flotation apparatus includes a vertically oriented cylindrical flotation vessel having a tangential inlet at its upper end and an annular outlet at its lower end. The annular outlet allows for the smooth exit of fluid discharge from the flotation vessel so as to avoid disturbance of the fluid flow within the flotation vessel. Air is sparged into the vessel and a froth which contains the recovery products exits through a vortex finder positioned in the upper end of the vessel. The apparatus includes a froth pedestal positioned within the vessel which forms the annular outlet with the wall of the vessel. The froth pedestal may take a generally cylindrical or a generally conical configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1988Date of Patent: June 13, 1989Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Ye Yi
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Patent number: 4828686Abstract: A method for enhancing hydrophobicity of high volatile bituminous coal and coals of a lower grade and for separating ash and sulfur (including pyritic sulfur) contaminants from coal in a floatation process. The method comprises the steps of grinding the coal to small particulate size, forming a slurry of the ground coal and mixing the slurry with at least one compound selected from the group comprising inorganic peroxy compounds, the preferred compound being oxone which is a mixture of potassium monopersulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate. This slurry is allowed to react to condition the particulate coal and develop increased hydrophobicity for the coal while depressing the sulfur contaminants and ash during froth flotation.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1987Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Yi Ye
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Patent number: 4774003Abstract: Amine extractants useful in extracting metallic anions are modified with Lewis bases, having substantial organic solubility, such as tributyl phosphate, to improve the extraction capability of such amines. Generally, addition of Lewis bases to weakly basic amines increases the basicity of such amines.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1987Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Michael B. Mooiman
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Patent number: 4744890Abstract: Flotation apparatus and methods for separating particles from particulate suspensions such as coal and mineral ore slurries, wherein fluid discharge is removed annularly from a flotation vessel. Preferably, the flotation apparatus includes a vertically oriented, cylindrical flotation vessel having a tangential inlet at its upper end and an annular outlet at its lower end. The annular outlet allows for the smooth exit of fluid discharge from the flotation vessel so as to avoid disturbance of the fluid flow within the flotation vessel. The apparatus includes a froth pedestal positioned within the lower end of the vessel which forms the annular outlet with the wall of the vessel. The froth pedestal further serves to support a froth column formed within the flotation vessel and isolates the froth column from the fluid discharge so as to minimize mixing therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1986Date of Patent: May 17, 1988Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, David J. Kinneberg
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Patent number: 4724071Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating resin from reduced size resin-bearing coal particles by treating the particles with ozone. Particles of reduced size resin-bearing coal are preferably mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then treated with ozone for a short length of time. The slurry is then subjected to froth flotation. The ozone selectively oxidizes the coal, decreasing its hydrophobicity causing the relatively more hydrophobic resin to attach to the bubbles formed during the flotation process. A much improved separation efficiency for resin flotation from coal is observed.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1986Date of Patent: February 9, 1988Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Ye Yi
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Patent number: 4676804Abstract: A process for froth flotation of coal using gaseous carbon dioxide includes a preconditioning treatment of the coal with gaseous carbon dioxide followed by froth flotation, preferably also using gaseous carbon dioxide. The pretreatment causes the coal to show improved results in that less reagent promoter and frother are required, and the flotation time is reduced. The process is particularly useful for producing "super" clean coal.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1985Date of Patent: June 30, 1987Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Manoranjan Misra
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Patent number: 4657642Abstract: A technique for extracting gold or silver values from an organic liquid having phosphorus or sulfur oxide groups which contains silver or gold cyanide ions by direct electrolytic deposition from the organic phase onto a cathode is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1985Date of Patent: April 14, 1987Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Rong-yu Wan
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Patent number: 4540435Abstract: A technique for extracting gold values from an aqueous system containing gold cyanide anions by contact with a strong solvating extractant under basic conditions is disclosed. Useful extractants include organic phosphorus oxides and sulfur oxides.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1983Date of Patent: September 10, 1985Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Michael B. Mooiman
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Patent number: 4486294Abstract: A novel process for separating high viscosity bitumen from tar sand. The process includes grinding the tar sand to obtain phase disengagement of the bitumen phase from the sand phase and thereafter using flotation techniques to obtain phase separation of the bitumen phase from the sand phase. Phase disengagement is assisted by using a suitable wetting agent such as sodium carbonate or sodium silicate during the grinding step, while the phase separation step is assisted by the inclusion of a promoter oil for the flotation step.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1983Date of Patent: December 4, 1984Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Manoranjan Misra
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Patent number: 4470899Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from tar sands wherein the tar sands are pretreated with a diluent, such as kerosene in the preferred embodiment, to lower the viscosity of the bitumen such that it is in the range of about 5 to about 20 poise at the digestion temperature. The tar sands are then digested at a temperature in the range of about 45.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. and at a pH of about 7.8 to about 8.6. The tar sands are then transferred to a flotation cell where the bitumen-rich concentrate is separated from the sand.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1983Date of Patent: September 11, 1984Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Jan Hupka
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Patent number: 4410417Abstract: A novel process for separating high viscosity bitumen from tar sand. The process includes grinding the tar sand to obtain phase disengagement of the bitumen phase from the sand phase and thereafter using flotation techniques to obtain phase separation of the bitumen phase from the sand phase. Phase disengagement is assisted by using a suitable wetting agent during the crushing step while the phase separation step is assisted by the inclusion of a promoter oil for the flotation step.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1980Date of Patent: October 18, 1983Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, Manoranjan Misra
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Patent number: 4409090Abstract: A combination physical separation process and thermal fluidized bed process for recovering products from tar sands. The process includes initially separating a portion of the sand from the tar sand through a physical separation process, yielding a bitumen-rich concentrate. The bitumen-rich concentrate is introduced into a heated fluidized bed and products are recovered and distilled into their respective fractions. A coked sand is removed from the fluidized bed and placed into a combustor where the carbonaceous residue on the sand is burned to produce a hot burnt sand, a portion of which may be recycled to provide heat to the bitumen-rich concentrate in the fluidized bed. The coked sand and a certain fraction of the distilled products may be recycled to the physical separation process to improve the separation efficiency thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1982Date of Patent: October 11, 1983Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Francis V. Hanson, Jan D. Miller, Alex G. Oblad
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Patent number: 4399027Abstract: A gas-sparged hydrocyclone apparatus and method for achieving separation by flotation in a centrifugal field. The hydrocyclone apparatus is suitably modified so that a gas phase may be dispersed into the liquid vortex created in the hydrocyclone.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1980Date of Patent: August 16, 1983Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventor: Jan D. Miller
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Patent number: 4397741Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particles from a fluid, particulate suspension by flotation in a centrifugal field. The apparatus includes a vertically oriented, cylindrical vessel having a tangential inlet and a tangential outlet. The particulate suspension is introduced into the vessel through the inlet and swirls around the inner surface of the vessel in a thin fluid layer. Air is sparged through a porous wall formed in the vessel and into the thin fluid layer of the particulate suspension. Small bubbles are generated at the surface of the porous wall. The directed motion of the particles in the thin layer of particulate fluid suspension results in a high probability for collision and a rapid flotation. The air bubbles and particles form bubble/particle aggregates which migrate towards the axial center of the apparatus and into a froth phase in the core of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1981Date of Patent: August 9, 1983Assignee: University of UtahInventor: Jan D. Miller
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Patent number: 4343773Abstract: A novel process for enhancing the leaching rate of a mineral wherein the mineral is characterized by the tendency to form a reaction product layer during leaching. A suitable particulate modifier such as carbon is mixed with the mineral prior to leaching and selectively alters the characteristics of the reaction product layer. The process is particularly useful for leaching chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1981Date of Patent: August 10, 1982Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Jan D. Miller, George Simkovich
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Patent number: 4337143Abstract: A novel thermal process for recovering hydrocarbon and other products from tar sand. The process includes blending tar sand with a bitumen-rich concentrate while heating the same with a hot, burnt sand. The products are recovered by passing the combined feed through a fluidized bed and selectively controlling the temperature and residence times to obtain predetermined ratios of products. Coked sand residue from the fluidized bed is burned to produce the hot, burnt sand, a portion of which may be recycled to provide heat to the fluidized bed. Coked sand may also be recycled into a known, hot-water, caustic separation process where it synergistically improves the separation efficiency of the hot-water, caustic separation process.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1980Date of Patent: June 29, 1982Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Francis V. Hanson, Jan D. Miller, Alex G. Oblad
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Patent number: 4279743Abstract: An air-sparged hydrocyclone apparatus and method, the apparatus including a substantially hollow, cyclone body having a cylindrical section and a downwardly oriented conical section. An inlet, an overflow and an underflow are also provided in the cyclone body. At least a portion of the wall of the cyclone body is modified to include an air-sparging section wherein air, under pressure, is forced into the interior of the cyclone body as a plurality of bubbles. The bubbles disrupt the boundary layer, freeing entrapped fine particles and also assist in carrying hydrophobic particles to the overflow. The introduction of discrete, small, air bubbles is enhanced by forming a portion of the wall of the cyclone body from a porous material.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1979Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: University of UtahInventor: Jan D. Miller
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Patent number: 4120776Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of bitumen from dry tar sands or sands with negligible quantities of connate water. The process includes comminuting the tar sands to an average particle size of approximately one centimeter in diameter and digesting the comminuted tar sand in a hot, aqueous solution having a pH within the range of pH 10 to pH 14. Optimal digestion is obtained by assuring that the tar sand in the digester is within the range of 50 to 80% solids so as to provide the necessary high shear environment. The digested tar sand is thereafter subjected to a flotation process wherein additional water is introduced to lower the temperature and the solids concentration. Preferably, the pH of the separation cell is maintained above about pH 10. Air is bubbled into the mixture to carry the separated bitumen particles to the top of the separation cell for subsequent recovery.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1977Date of Patent: October 17, 1978Assignee: University of UtahInventors: Jan D. Miller, Jaime E. Sepulveda
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Patent number: 4115221Abstract: A process for hydrometallurgically recovering copper from concentrates of chalcopyrite and other sulfide and mixed sulfide ores utilizes the pretreatment step of fine grinding of the concentrates coupled with subsequent leaching steps. As a pretreatment for the copper-containing concentrates, the concentrates are ground, preferrably with an attritor-type grinding device, to reduce the particle size of the copper bearing concentrate to one micron or less in size. The finely ground copper concentrate is then leached in an acidified ferric sulfate solution to recover the copper contained therein. Following the leching step, a solid-liquid separation is effected. Elemental sulfur may be recovered, and iron removal is achieved by crystallization of iron salts. Ferrous ion is then oxidized to ferric ion for recycling to the leaching step.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1977Date of Patent: September 19, 1978Inventors: Milton E. Wadsworth, Jan D. Miller, John A. Herbst, John L. Kolbe, Howard Wayne Hayden