Abstract: A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Abstract: Reagent compositions, methods and systems for reducing concentrations of impurity metals during metallurgic processes. Certain methods and systems in particular pertain to control of iron concentration in copper electrowinning electrolyte solutions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce a loaded aqueous stream.

Abstract: An electrowinning method of metals through electrolysis of a metal chloride solution uses an anode comprising a substrate comprising titanium or titanium alloy, and a coating layer comprising a plurality of a unit layer, provided on the surface of the substrate. The unit layer comprises the first coating layer comprising a mixture of iridium oxide, ruthenium oxide and titanium oxide and the second coating layer comprising a mixture of platinum and iridium oxide. The first coating layer contacts with the surface of said substrate and an outer coating layer of the unit layer formed on the outermost layer of said coating layer is the second coating layer. The coating layer is formed by thermal decomposition baking, which followed by post-baking at a higher baking temperature.

Abstract: Processes for metal leaching/solvent extraction are described which comprise: (a) providing a first aqueous leach pulp which comprises a mixture of leached solids and an aqueous leach solution comprising a metal, a leaching agent and water; (b) subjecting the first aqueous leach pulp to a first solid-liquid separation to provide a first clarified aqueous leach solution and a second aqueous leach pulp, wherein the second aqueous leach pulp comprises the leached solids at a % solids level greater than the first pulp; (c) subjecting the first clarified aqueous leach solution to a first solvent extraction prior to any significant dilution, whereby a first aqueous raffinate is obtained; (d) subjecting the second aqueous leach pulp to a second solid-liquid separation with dilution via an aqueous stream to obtain a second clarified aqueous leach solution; and (e) subjecting the second clarified aqueous leach solution to a second solvent extraction whereby a second is aqueous raffinate is obtained.

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. In accordance with one aspect of the process, at least a portion of the residue from the pressure leaching operation is directed to a heap, stockpile or other leaching operation.

Abstract: A method for the production of metallic copper in a substantially dendrite-free crystalline form is described, comprising an electrowinning from a cuprous and/or cupric chloride solution carried out in a spouted bed cell comprising a cathode consisting of a descending bed of metallic beads.

Abstract: In a metal-winning method, copper ore or copper-ore concentrates is effectively hydraulically leached in a chloride leach liquor and the resultant leached liquor is diaphragm-electrolyzed. A chloride electrolyte containing Br? ions and the leached metals is subjected to a diaphragm-electrolysis in an electrolytic cell comprising an anode compartment (4) and a cathode compartment (3). A portion of the electrolyte in the anode compartment (4) is withdrawn from below an anode (2) of the anode compartment (4) and is returned to the leaching step so as to increase the oxidation potential of the chloride leach liquor.

Abstract: A method for selective dissolution of tin and/or lead- or tin-containing alloys from printed circuit boards is provided comprising contacting a printed circuit board with a solution comprising Ti(IV) and an acid which forms stable and soluble salt of Ti(III), Ti(IV), Sn(II) and Pb(II), under conditions to effect dissolution of substantially all of the Sn and/or Pb- or Sn-containing alloy therefrom, as Sn(II) and/or Pb(II) and recovering from the solution by electrolytic reduction substantially all of the Sn(II) and/or PB(II) species as Sn and/or Pb. After the electrolytic reduction step, the oxidant metal species is regenerated by oxidation and recycled to the first stage of the process.

Abstract: A computer implemented gambling chip recognition system having the ability to capture an image of a stack of gambling chips and automatically processing the image to determine the number of chips within the stack and the value of each. The system processor determines the classification for each chip in a stack by way of processing performed in real time on the image of the stack of gambling chips. The system further includes the ability to communicate the information derived from the stack of gambling chips to a video monitor and the ability to communicate the information to a main database where information is being compiled and stored about an individual gambler.

Abstract: A process of recovering metals from waste lithium ion batteries, wherein the waste batteries are calcined and sieved to generate an ash containing metals and metal oxides. The invented process includes subjecting the ash to a dissolution etching treatment, and a filtration treatment, and separately using a membrane electrolysis method to separate out metal copper and cobalt, wherein the acid generated on the cathode side in the electrolysis process can be recovered through a diffusion dialysis treatment. After electrolysis, the solution rich in lithium ion, after precipitating the metal impurities by adjusting the pH value, can be added with a carbonate ion to form a lithium carbonate.

Abstract: Process for improving recovery of copper and reducing raw material costs, from a copper-containing source by SX-EW. The process comprises the steps of mixing an acidic copper-containing PLS obtained by leaching a copper-containing source with an acidic leachant, usually sulfuric acid, with an aqueous acidic cupric chloride solution spent printed wire board etchant, to produce an acidic cupric chloride/copper sulfate-containing mixture. This mixture is subjected to SX-EW to recover the copper as copper cathode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making wire, comprising: (A) forming a circular disk of electrodeposited copper, (B) rotating said disk about its center axis; (C) feeding a cutting tool into the peripheral edge of said disk to cause a strip of copper to peel from said disk; and (D) slitting said strip of copper to form a plurality of strands of copper wire.

Abstract: This process treats copper concentrates, either in the form of a primary sulfide, such as chalcopyrite, or a secondary sulfide, such as chalcocite and covellite, to obtain high purity copper metal having not less than 99.99% purity. In the case of a primary sulfide, the copper concentrate is subjected to leaching and is transformed into cement or a precipitated sulfide. In the case of the secondary sulfide, the copper concentrates are subjected to leaching with ferric fluoborate and fluoboric acid. Subsequent to leaching, the solution is subjected to copper electrowinning in a diaphragm cell to deposit copper on the cathode of the diaphragm cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for removing various contaminants (e.g., organic collectors, contaminant metals or spectator ions, and/or suspended and colloidal solids) from process streams in leaching processes. The contaminant removal is performed by one or more membrane filtration systems (e.g., nanofilters, ultrafilters, and/or microfilters) treating process streams including, the pregnant leaching solution, the barren raffinate, and the lean and rich electrolytes.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of precious metals from a copper sulphide ore or concentrate, by treating a leach residue of the ore or concentrate, includes the steps of removing elemental sulphur from the leach residue to obtain a low sulphur residue and subjecting the low sulphur residue to an oxidative leach at elevated temperature and pressure to oxidize sulphur and precious metal compounds present in the low sulphur residue to produce a residue for the extraction of the precious metals therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of a metal from an ore or concentrate comprises subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic solution containing halogen ions and a source of bisulphate or sulphate ions, such as H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. The metals which can be extracted by the process comprises copper, as well as non-cuprous metals, such as zinc, and precious metals, such as gold and silver.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of zinc from a sulphide ore or concentrate containing copper and zinc includes subjecting the concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic halide solution to obtain a resulting pressure oxidation slurry and subjecting the slurry to a liquid/solid separation step to produce a liquor containing copper and zinc in solution. The liquor containing the copper and zinc is subjected to a first solvent extraction with a copper extractant to remove copper from the solution and to produce a copper depleted raffinate. The copper depleted raffinate is subjected to a second solid extraction with a zinc extractant to produce a zinc depleted raffinate and the zinc depleted raffinate is recycled to the pressure oxidation step.

Abstract: A method to prevent corrosion of a stainless steel cathode in a copper electrowinning system uses compounds added to the electrowinning solution which reduce the level of free chlorine. Examples of such compounds are thiourea, alkyl sulphonate surfactants and protein glues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for regenerating a used etchant solution, which solution contains a metal in divalent form. The apparatus includes a tank which is originally supplied with the etchant solution; a first electrolytic cell for converting solution from the tank to a solution containing a high fraction of a monovalent form of the metal; and a second electrolytic tank for plating metal from the solution containing a high fraction of the monovalent form of the metal. The details of the process of the present invention are set forth in the disclosure.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making copper metal powder from copper-bearing material, comprising: (A) contacting said copper-bearing material with an effective mount of at least one aqueous leaching solution to dissolve copper ions in said leaching solution and form a copper-rich aqueous leaching solution; (B) contacting said copper-rich aqueous leaching solution with an effective amount of at least one water-insoluble extractant to transfer copper ions from said copper-rich aqueous leaching solution to said extractant to form a copper-rich extractant and a copper-depleted aqueous leaching solution; (C) separating said copper-rich extractant from said copper-depleted aqueous leaching solution; (D) contacting said copper-rich extractant with an effective amount of at least one aqueous stripping solution to transfer copper ions from said extractant to said stripping solution to form a copper-rich stripping solution and a copper-depleted extractant; (E) separating said copper-rich stripping soluti

Abstract: A process for the extraction of copper from a sulphide copper ore or concentrate comprises subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic chloride solution to obtain a resulting pressure oxidation filtrate and an insoluble basic copper sulphate salt. The pressure oxidation is conducted in the presence of a source of bisulphate or sulphate ions, such as sulphuric acid. The amount of the sulphate source added contains at least the stoichiometric amount of sulphate ions required to produce the basic copper sulphate salt less the amount of sulphate generated in situ in the pressure oxidation. In a particular embodiment, the pressure oxidation is carried out at a predetermined H.sup.+ /Cu ratio so that the pressure oxidation filtrate contains a major portion of the copper in the ore or concentrate and the basic copper salt contains a minor portion of the copper in the concentrate. The invention further provides for the selection of the H.sup.

Abstract: A sulfur dioxide free process for the production of high purity metallic copper from copper-matte wherein copper-matte is leached under oxidizing conditions in a ferric-containing acid copper sulfate electrolyte leach assembly including one or more leach reactors to yield a copper-rich electrolyte, and copper cathode is produced in an electrowinning assembly which is physically decoupled from the leaching assembly and may include one or more electrowinning cells. The process operates at ambient pressure and temperatures less than the boiling point.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making copper wire directly from a copper-bearing material, comprising: (A) contacting said copper-beating material with an effective amount of at least one aqueous leaching solution to dissolve copper ions into said leaching solution and form a copper-rich aqueous leaching solution; (B) contacting said copper-rich aqueous leaching solution with an effective amount of at least one water-insoluble extractant to transfer copper ions from said copper-rich aqueous leaching solution to said extractant to form a copper-rich extractant and a copper-depleted aqueous leaching solution; (C) separating said copper-rich extractant from said copper-depleted aqueous leaching solution; (D) contacting said copper-rich extractant with an effective amount of at least one aqueous stripping solution to transfer copper ions from said extractant to said stripping solution to form a copper-rich stripping solution and a copper-depleted extractant; (E) separating said copper-rich stripping solu

Abstract: A process for producing one or more metals from a mineral feedstock (12) is defined. The mineral is fed to a leaching apparatus (10) wherein it is contacted with electrolyte (14). The leaching apparatus has zones of decreasing oxidation potential (17, 18, 19, 20) respectively. A stream of electrolyte (14A) is removed from zone (20) and is treated to remove impurities and unwanted metals in treatment unit (25A), prior to metal recovery by electrolysis. The electrolyte after electrolysis is then returned to the leaching unit (10). A second electrolyte stream (14B) may be removed from zone (19) for recovery of additional metals. The electrolyte (14B) is treated to remove impurities and any unwanted metals in treatment unit (25B), prior to metal recovery by electrolysis. The electrolyte after electrolysis is returned to leaching unit (10). The process enables the leaching of difficult to leach minerals, including gold, and can produce one or more metals of high purity.