Patents by Inventor Noelene Ahern

Noelene Ahern 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: 10077487
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the oxidation and immobilization of trivalent arsenic from arsenic-containing solutions. The process includes oxidation of trivalent arsenic (As3+) species to the pentavalent state (As5+). A carbon additive (e.g., activated carbon) and oxygen are used to promote the arsenic oxidation processes. After oxidation of arsenic to the pentavalent state, the arsenic can be removed by precipitation to ferric arsenate or calcium arsenate or other arsenic containing compounds known in the art. The oxidation of arsenic can also occur simultaneously with the production and precipitation of ferric arsenate (e.g., scorodite). Ferrous iron can be oxidized to ferric iron in the presence of activated carbon and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventors: Yeonuk Choi, Ahmad Ghahremaninezhad Gharelar, Noelene Ahern
  • Publication number: 20140356261
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the oxidation and immobilization of trivalent arsenic from arsenic-containing solutions. The process includes oxidation of trivalent arsenic (As3+) species to the pentavalent state (As5+). A carbon additive (e.g., activated carbon) and oxygen are used to promote the arsenic oxidation processes. After oxidation of arsenic to the pentavalent state, the arsenic can be removed by precipitation to ferric arsenate or calcium arsenate or other arsenic containing compounds known in the art. The oxidation of arsenic can also occur simultaneously with the production and precipitation of ferric arsenate (e.g., scorodite). Ferrous iron can be oxidized to ferric iron in the presence of activated carbon and oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Yeonuk Choi, Ahmad Ghahremaninezhad Gharelar, Noelene Ahern
  • Patent number: 8262770
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to flotation of refractory gold sulfide ores and to pressure oxidized residue neutralization using flotation tailings that have been contacted with an off gas of pressure oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Hillier, Yeonuk Choi, Noelene Ahern
  • Patent number: 7918919
    Abstract: A method for suppressing mercury dissolution during pressure oxidation of precious metal-containing materials in the presence of halogens and halides is provided. Pressure oxidation is performed under controlled oxidative conditions to maintain the mercury predominantly in the solid residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Hillier, Noelene Ahern, Yeonuk Choi
  • Publication number: 20090071296
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to flotation of refractory gold sulfide ores and to pressure oxidized residue neutralization using flotation tailings that have been contacted with an off gas of pressure oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Hillier, Yeonuk Choi, Noelene Ahern
  • Publication number: 20090074608
    Abstract: A method for suppressing mercury dissolution during pressure oxidation of precious metal-containing materials in the presence of halogens and halides is provided. Pressure oxidation is performed under controlled oxidative conditions to maintain the mercury predominantly in the solid residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Hillier, Noelene Ahern, Yeonuk Choi
  • Patent number: 7037357
    Abstract: A method to dissolve at least one metal from jarosite or other iron hydroxyl sulphate containing-material which includes the steps of subjecting the material to alkaline treatment in a brine solution to facilitate jarosite decomposition, and acidification of the brine slurry to solubilise the liberated metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: BHP Billiton SA Limited
    Inventors: Noelene Ahern, Jozef Maria Schaekers
  • Publication number: 20040118248
    Abstract: A method to dissolve at least one metal from jarosite or other iron hydroxyl sulphate containing-material which includes the steps of subjecting the material to alkaline treatment in a brine solution to facilitate jarosite decomposition, and acidification of the brine slurry to solubilise the liberated metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Noelene Ahern, Jozef Maria Schaekers