Patents by Inventor Robert E. Brewer

Robert E. Brewer 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: 8012318
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O Marsden, Robert E Brewer, Susan R Brewer, Joanna M Robertson, David R Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans
  • Publication number: 20100206741
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Susan R. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M.A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 7736488
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and/or other metal values from a metal-bearing ore, concentrate, or other metal-bearing material using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substantially acid-autogenous process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite-containing ore using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning in combination with a leaching, solvent/solution extraction and electrowinning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O Marsden, Robert E Brewer, Susan R Brewer, Joanna M Robertson, David R Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 7722756
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O Marsden, Joanna M Robertson, Robert E Brewer, Susan R. Brewer, legal representative, David R Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 7666371
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, metal-containing pregnant leach solutions from pressure leaching operations need not be significantly diluted to facilitate effective metal recovery using solvent extraction and electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O Marsden, Robert E Brewer, Joanna M Robertson, Wayne W Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R Baughman
  • Publication number: 20090101518
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and/or other metal values from a metal-bearing ore, concentrate, or other metal-bearing material using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substantially acid-autogenous process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite-containing ore using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning in combination with a leaching, solvent/solution extraction and electrowinning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Susan R. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M.A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 7517384
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Roland Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090071839
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Susan R Brewer, Robert E Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M.A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 7485216
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and/or other metal values from a metal-bearing ore, concentrate, or other metal-bearing material using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a substantially acid-autogenous process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite-containing ore using pressure leaching and direct electrowinning in combination with a leaching, solvent/solution extraction and electrowinning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Susan R. Brewer, legal representative, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans, Robert E. Brewer
  • Patent number: 7476308
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Phillip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 7473413
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, metal-containing pregnant leach solutions from pressure leaching operations need not be significantly diluted to facilitate effective metal recovery using solvent extraction and electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, Wayne W. Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 7462272
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Susan R. Brewer, legal representative, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans, Robert E. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20080216606
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials using controlled, super-fine grinding and medium temperature pressure leaching. Processes embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, rhenium, zinc, uranium, and platinum group metals, from metal-bearing materials, and find particular utility in connection with the extraction of copper from copper sulfide ores and concentrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, Wayne W. Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R. Baughman, Roland Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080156656
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with the various aspects of the present invention, metal-containing pregnant leach solutions from pressure leaching operations need not be significantly diluted to facilitate effective metal recovery using solvent extraction and electrowinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: PHELPS DODGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, Wayne W. Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 7341700
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials using controlled, super-fine grinding and medium temperature pressure leaching. Processes embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, rhenium, zinc, uranium, and platinum group metals, from metal-bearing materials, and find particular utility in connection with the extraction of copper from copper sulfide ores and concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, Wayne W. Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R. Baughman, Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7125436
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7041152
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for the production of sulfuric acid and liberation of precious metal values from materials containing sulfur through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the sulfur-bearing materials may comprise residues from pressure leaching operations, such as those carried out at medium temperatures. The process of the present invention can be advantageously used to convert such sulfur-bearing materials to sulfuric acid by means of pressure leaching. The sulfuric acid so produced can be used beneficially in other mineral processing operations, for example those at the site where it is produced. Metals, such as precious metals, that are contained within the sulfur-bearing materials advantageously may be recovered from processing products by established precious metals recovery technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, Wayne W. Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 6972107
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans
  • Patent number: 6893482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, David R. Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W. Hazen, Roland Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6890371
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for the production of sulfuric acid and liberation of precious metal values from materials containing sulfur through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the sulfur-bearing materials may comprise residues from pressure leaching operations, such as those carried out at medium temperatures. The process of the present invention can be advantageously used to convert such sulfur-bearing materials to sulfuric acid by means of pressure leaching. The sulfuric acid so produced can be used beneficially in other mineral processing operations, for example those at the site where it is produced. Metals, such as precious metals, that are contained within the sulfur-bearing materials advantageously may be recovered from processing products by established precious metals recovery technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Phelps Dodge Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Marsden, Robert E. Brewer, Joanna M. Robertson, Wayne W. Hazen, Philip Thompson, David R. Baughman