Patents by Inventor Paul George West-Sells

Paul George West-Sells 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: 8821613
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Publication number: 20140047954
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: PLACER DOME TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 8597399
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 8097227
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Hackl, Jinxing Ji, Paul George West-Sells
  • Publication number: 20110132147
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: PLACER DOME TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Publication number: 20100132509
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PLACER DOME TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 7722840
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Hackl, Jinxing Ji, Paul George West-Sells
  • Publication number: 20100111751
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: PLACER DOME TECHNICAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Hackl, Jinxing Ji, Paul George West-Sells
  • Patent number: 7704298
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 7559974
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 7544232
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Hackl, Jinxing Ji, Paul George West-Sells
  • Patent number: 7066983
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Publication number: 20040206207
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Publication number: 20040115108
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Hackl, Jinxing Ji, Paul George West-Sells
  • Publication number: 20040035252
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 6660059
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Publication number: 20020092377
    Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Jinxing Ji, Christopher Andrew Fleming, Paul George West-Sells, Ralph Peter Hackl
  • Patent number: 6375923
    Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process is provided for producing pigment grade TiO2 from titaniferous mineral ores, and in particular from ilmenite ore. The ore is leached with a hydrochloric acid, preferably a recycled solution at high hydrochloric acid concentration, to form a leachate containing titanium and iron chloride and a residue. The leachate may be filtered to separate the leachate from the residue. The leachate is cooled to a temperature sufficient to form crystals of FeCl2, which are separated from the leachate. The leachate may be subjected to a reduction step to reduce Fe+3 to Fe+2, before crystallizing. The leachate is subjected to a first solvent extraction to form a pregnant strip solution containing titanium and ferric ions and a raffinate containing ferrous ions. This strip solution is subjected to a second solvent extraction to form a second strip solution containing ferric ions and a raffinate containing titanium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
    Inventors: Willem P. C. Duyvesteyn, Bruce James Sabacky, Dirk Edmund Victor Verhulst, Paul George West-Sells, Timothy Malcome Spitler, Andrew Vince, James R. Burkholder, Bernardus Josephus Paulus Maria Huls