Means For Treating Ores Or For Extracting Metals Patents (Class 266/168)
  • Patent number: 4974816
    Abstract: A method and attendant apparatus for use in bioleach processing of metal-bearing solids is disclosed. The method includes the placement into a tank of metal-bearing solids, a predetermined quantity of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and a species of microorganisms capable of oxidizing some portion of the metal-bearing solids and obtaining energy for growth from that oxidation. The slurry formed by this placement is continuously filtered to remove process delimiting metabolic end products products by the oxidation reaction. The ratios of the various slurry components are monitored and controlled to effectuate an optimized environment for oxidation to occur. The attendant apparatus includes a means of introducing oxygen into the bottom of the reactor vessel in the form of small widely dispersed bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Emmett, Jr., Lawrence T. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 4968008
    Abstract: A reactor for use in processing metal bearing solids by means of a bioleaching technique is disclosed. The reactor includes an open topped basin, a gantry adapted for displacement along the length of that basin and an agitation means mounted on that gantry for use in agitating a slurry retained within the basin. An air injection system having a plurality of membrane diffusers is positioned within the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Emmett, Jr., Lawrence T. O'Connor, Gunter H. Brox
  • Patent number: 4964622
    Abstract: A leaching vessel comprises a central outlet in which is situated a multi-bladed pump for pumping slurry from the vessel. An inclined wall adjacent the bottom wall of the vessel surrounds the outlet and has a plurality of apertures. The inclined wall defines with the bottom wall of the vessel a chamber into which cyanide solution is pumped for passage through the apertures into the slurry. The chamber may be sub-divided into radially or circumferentially spaced chambers, or both, with each chamber having a discrete inlet and flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael I. Sherman
  • Patent number: 4960584
    Abstract: A system for heap leach mining comprises supply and header pipes for conducting a leaching solution alongside a bed or "heap" of crushed metal-laden ore deposited on an impervious pad. A series of spaced tubes are connected to the supply and header pipes to extend transversely thereof, over the pad, to receive the leaching solution therefrom. A plurality of emitters are connected in spaced relationship along each of the tubes for emitting the leaching solution at a controlled and substantially uniform rate over the pad and into the ore bed. At least some of the emitters are adjustable whereby different sets of flow passages can be utilized. The adjustable emitter comprises a sleeve slip-fit and rotatably mounted in a housing for rotative adjustment between at least two positions to alternately communicate the sets of flow passages with an inlet to the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Wade Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Sidney L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4933078
    Abstract: A sorption vessel including a tank for retaining a pulp of an aqueous slurry and a sorbent at a predetermined liquid pulp level therein; and an interstage screening system disposed within the tank and at least partially submerged beneath the predetermined pulp level. The interstage screening system includes a housing for isolating the system from the pulp, thereby providing a hydraulic differential between the predetermined pulp level and the screening system; a conduit for selectively introducing the pulp onto the screen member, the pulp being urged through the conduit by the hydraulic differential; and at least one screen member disposed within the housing for selectively and continuously separating the sorbent from the pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Newmont Gold Company
    Inventor: James J. Komadina
  • Patent number: 4923333
    Abstract: A lysimeter comprises a longitudinally extending circumferentially perforated duct having a vacuum application connection at one end thereof. A fluid permeable fabric is superposed over the duct perforations. A longitudinally extending circumferentially perforated shell extends about the duct and therewith defines a bounded volume therebetween. A granular filler substantially fills the bounded volume and the filler is sized so not to be drawn through the fluid permeable fabric so that a vacuum applied to the duct is transmitted through the shell.A ground protection system for a heap leaching site incorporating the lysimeter of the present invention is also disclosed as well as a method of assembling the lysimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Robert D. Timmons
  • Patent number: 4893790
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of metal Zr by means of molten Mg in a reactor 1 having a hearth plate 3, comprising separating the magnesium chloride formed in the reduction reaction from the metal Zr formed. The process is characterized by separating the magnesium chloride formed by tapping off towards the bottom of the reactor 1 by means of a chimney 6 whose bottom end portion 5 is fixed to an orifice 4 in the hearth plate 3 and whose transverse open top end 7 is above the portion of the metallic mass Zr, Mg which borders the chimney 6 at the end of the reduction reaction. The invention also concerns the corresponding apparatus for the production of metal zirconium. The invention provides a simplification in the operation of separating the MgCl.sub.2 formed and possibly, by virtue of a particular structure of the chimney according to the invention, gives an improvement in the operation of extracting the sponge cake produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne du Zirconium Cezus
    Inventors: Jean Boutin, Pierre Brun, Airy-Pierre Lamaze
  • Patent number: 4887799
    Abstract: A high-velocity jet of solvent is introduced through a nozzle into one end of a passage. A slurry of ore particles is feed into the passage through a narrow inlet port extending across the width of the passage in front of the nozzle of the jet. The resulting high-energy impact of the solvent jet on the ore particles causes a rapid, turbulent flow of the mixture of solvent and ore particles through the remaining length of the passage and into a mixing chamber. This flow impinges on the back wall of the mixing chamber further increasing abrasion and mixing between the solvent and ore particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Richard J. Moser
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Parrent
  • Patent number: 4807854
    Abstract: A rotatable leaching solution distribution arm is carried on a central chamber member and disposed in a tank at an elevation above another rotatable arm also carried by the member for distribution of a washing solution into the tank. The leaching solution distribution arm has discrete conduits terminating in corresponding outlets along the arm together with flow control devices accessible externally of the tank for each conduit so that the flow from each outlet into the tank can be monitored and adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4780138
    Abstract: An elastic bar member is clamped to an orbiting mass oscillator and the entire assembly is suspended from a cable or the like such that the bar member has freedom of lateral motion and is nakedly immersed in a leachant having a material contained therein such as a mineral ore from which metal is to be extracted. The rotor of the orbiting mass oscillator is driven at a speed such as to generate cycloidal sonic energy in the bar preferably at a frequency such as to set up resonant standing wave vibration of the bar in a cycloidal nutating pattern. The cycloidal vibrational energy tends to set the surrounding fluid material into a whirling rotation or rotary traveling wave which facilitates the mixing of the ore and leachant and enhances the leaching operation to make for more complete separation of the mineral from the ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Albert G. Bodine
  • Patent number: 4754953
    Abstract: In gold and/or silver cyanide leaching-adsorption processes employing solid adsorbents such as activated charcoal, the overall efficiency in the recovery of gold and/or silver from ores or the like is greatly increased by contacting the cyanide slurry containing the gold and/or silver, with oxygen gas instead of normal air. A generally pure oxygen gas can be bubbled into a vessel containing the slurry, and a cover (e.g. a floating cover) may be provided on the vessel to reduce the oxygen transfer out of the solution and to facilitate pressurization of the system with an oxygen atmosphere. The procedures of the invention are applicable to carbon-in-pulp (CIP), and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes and related processes using resins. Deaeration of the ore slurry can be practiced prior to the introduction of the oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Brison, Carl L. Elmore, Phillip Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4739973
    Abstract: A novel system for chemically leaching ore that decreases pollution to the environment and that enhances reaction kinetics and economic considerations. An impervious covering (18) blankets a distribution network of drip lines (17) laid over the ore heap (14). A lixiviate containing solution is forced by means of a pump (11) through a venturi eductor (19) into the distribution network of drip lines (17) for application to the ore heap (14). After percolating through the ore heap (14), the leach solution is recycled through a recovery system (16) to the venturi eductor (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: J. Marvin Herndon
  • Patent number: 4732608
    Abstract: A method and attendant apparatus for use in bioleach processing of metal-bearing solids is disclosed. The method includes the placement into a tank of metal-bearing solids, a predetermined quantity of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and a species of microorganisms capable of oxidizing some portion of the metal-bearing solids and obtaining energy for growth from that oxidation. The slurry formed by this placement is continuously filtered to remove process delimiting metabolic end products produced by the oxidation reaction. The ratios of the various slurry components are monitored and controlled to effectuate an optimized environment for oxidation to occur. The attendant apparatus includes a means of introducing oxygen into the bottom of the reactor vessel in the form of small widely dispersed bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Emmett, Jr., Lawrence T. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 4728082
    Abstract: A method and attendant apparatus for use in bioleach processing of metal-bearing solids is disclosed. The method includes the placement into a tank of metal-bearing solids, a predetermined quantity of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and a species of microorganisms capable of oxidizing some portion of the metal-bearing solids and obtaining energy for growth from that oxidation. The slurry formed by this placement is continuously filtered to remove process delimiting metabolic end products produced by the oxidation reaction. The ratios of the various slurry components are monitored and controlled to effectuate an optimized environment for oxidation to occur. The attendant apparatus includes a means of introducing oxygen into the bottom of the reactor vessel in the form of small widely dispersed bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Envirotech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Emmett, Jr., Lawrence T. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 4724132
    Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of a metal salt solution is described which provides more economical products with higher quality than current processes. The process is safer, both to operating personnel and to the environment, than currently used processes. The process comprises feeding an aqueous metal compound slurry, e.g., a metal oxide/hydroxide slurry and a mineral acid, e.g., nitric acid, and water to a reactor which includes a zone of extreme mixing and agitation, most preferably a cross-pipe reactor provided with an optional static in-line mixer. A cross-pipe reactor provides complete and efficient reaction by providing greater surface area, high agitation and a long reaction time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: Carl J. Fabry
  • Patent number: 4721526
    Abstract: A method and system for the percolation leaching of gold and silver ores applies a cyanide leaching liquid to a pile of gold and silver ore. Heap leaching, vat leaching, or the like may specifically be practiced. The cyanide leaching liquid is applied to the pile by spraying, flooding, or via a foam of oxygen gas and cyanide liquid on top of the pile. Gold and silver are recovered from the pregnant liquor. The leach rate is increased and/or the recovery of gold and silver from the ore is increased by supplying to the pile a gas containing oxygen at a significantly higher percentage than in ambient air (e.g. pure oxygen gas). The oxygen gas may be supplied to the leaching liquid, and/or into the pile itself (as with a plurality of perforated pipes adjacent the bottom of the pile).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Elmore, Phillip Mitchell, Robert J. Brison
  • Patent number: 4606763
    Abstract: A process for the pressure oxidation leaching of non-ferrous metal sulphidic material which comprises providing an autoclave assembly which has a series of successive compartments, the first compartment of which being substantially larger in size than each of the remaining compartments. An oxygen partial pressure is provided in the autoclave assembly in the range of from about 50 to about 2000 kPa. An aqueous slurry of the material is fed into the relatively large first compartment with resultant flow of the material through the successive smaller compartments causing the temperature in the first and successive compartments to be sufficient to produce autogeneous oxidation of the sulphidic material. The oxidized slurry from the last compartment of the series is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited
    Inventor: Donald R. Weir
  • Patent number: 4555385
    Abstract: An introduction process and apparatus is described concerning the continuous elution of a value, i.e. a metal value such as gold, from a particulate carrier by a counterflow of stripping liquid through the pressurized vessel in which the loaded particulate carrier is introduced to the vessel as a low velocity plug in a liquid carrier. The extraction process is also used with the continuous elution process in which the particulate material is extracted from the bottom part of a pressure vessel through a discharge pipe extending therefrom and in which a discharge liquid is introduced into the discharge pipe upstream of the discharge end under such pressure as to maintain a head of the discharge liquid upstream of that location and a flow of the liquid downstream from the location to transport the particulate material through the discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Ok Tedi Mining Limited
    Inventor: Alan M. Stone
  • Patent number: 4541991
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a gravel type solid material with a liquid in a bath are described. The apparatus comprises means for supplying the solid material, means for transporting it through the bath and means for removing the processed solid material from the bath. The apparatus comprises further means for supply of liquid and tapping off of the liquor. The method comprises introduction of the gravel type solid material into the bath at its lower end and removal of the processed solid material at the upper end, the gravel type solid material being gradually transported upwards through the bath by means of rotating lifting members while liquid is introduced into the bath at its upper half while liquor is drained off at the lower half. The lifting member comprises at least one inclined plate which is rigidly fixed to a vertical tube through which the solid material is introduced into the bath or the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Elkem a/s
    Inventor: Harald Krogsrud
  • Patent number: 4527778
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for production of refractory metal from a chloride thereof, comprising a conversion assembly and a purification assembly, the former in turn comprising: an elongated vertical cylindrical member with an open top and a closed bottom, another cylindrical member open at each end but having a grid plate detachably supported at a bottom thereof, said cylindrical members consisting of axially arranged outer and inner vessels, respectively, an annular top cover joined on respective upper ends of said outer and inner vessels, a closure joined over a central bore of said top cover, a furnace means surrounding said outer vessel, a tube means which extends through the closure into the inner vessel for feeding raw chloride, another tube means which opens in the outer vessel at a bottom thereof and extends along a wall thereof outwards for discharging fluids, and a means for evacuation and introduction of inert gas; while the purification assembly comprising: an elongated vertical cylindrical retort
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 4473532
    Abstract: Ore leaching structure including a base portion, a shelter portion, a transfer portion and a treatment portion; the base portion including a peripheral concrete foundation, concrete wall sections extending upwardly therefrom, a concrete floor section extending between the wall sections, the floor section including at least one drain opening adjacent one wall section, the floor section being sloped from the other of the wall sections toward the drain opening; the shelter portion including vertical sections extending upwardly from the wall sections, the vertical sections and the wall sections together forming the sidewalls of the structure, a roof section extending between and joining the upper edges of the sidewalls; the transfer portion including a first group of doorways in a sidewall adjoining the sidewall along which the drain opening is located, the doorways being spaced along the length of the sidewall, a second group of doorways along a sidewall opposite to the first group of doorways, the doorways of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Inventors: Shirley M. Rose, William R. Rector
  • Patent number: 4465264
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting ferromagnetic particles distributed in metal or metal alloy material is disclosed. A tank containing an electrolyte is provided to electrochemically dissolve the metal or metal alloy material without substantial dissolving of the particles. A support surface is provided within the electrolyte for supporting the dissolving metal material and collecting undissolved particles. The support surface further comprises the working electrode in conjunction with the metal material. A magnetic field forming device is associated with the support surface for magnetically adhering undissolved particles to the support surface so as to maximize recovery of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Lifun Lin
  • Patent number: 4454051
    Abstract: A batch process including a circulating reactor and an agitated reactor for the production of dialkyl xanthogen formates, including means to increase yields of products, inhibiting chloroformate hydrolysis, suppress production of xanthic anhydride as a byproduct, and generally control product/byproduct yields based on intended use. Certain product mixtures are particularly useful as flotation reagents, specifically collectors in the flotation of molybdenum-bearing copper ores, where molybdenum recovery has been increased by more than 10% without adverse effects on copper recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: Ronald D. G. Crozier
  • Patent number: 4441925
    Abstract: In a method for producing titanium metal from tetrachloride which comprises holding magnesium as fused in a space which is provided within an elongated vessel means and is heatable with a furnace means to surround, introducing titanium tetrachloride onto said magnesium to cause a reaction therebetween to form titanium metal product and magnesium chloride byproduct, continuing such reaction until the vessel means is deposited with a substantial volume of titanium metal and recovering the metallic product and chloride byproduct, an improvement which comprises a pressure-regulatable air tight interspace between the vessel means and the furnace means, and keeping said interspace at a pressure, with an inert gas, close to that inside the vessel means while the vessel is heated in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 4382073
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a gravel type solid material with a liquid in a bath are described. The apparatus comprises means for supplying the solid material, means for transporting it through the bath and means for removing the processed solid material from the bath. The apparatus comprises further means for supply of liquid and tapping off of the liquor. The method comprises introduction of the gravel type solid material into the bath at its lower end and removal of the processed solid material at the upper end, the gravel type solid material being gradually transported upwards through the bath by means of rotating lifting members while liquid is introduced into the bath at its upper half while liquor is drained off at the lower half. The lifting member comprises at least one inclined plate which is rigidly fixed to a vertical tube through which the solid material is introduced into the bath or the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Elkem a/s
    Inventor: Harald Krogsrud
  • Patent number: 4380469
    Abstract: For continuously reducing and melting metal oxides and, respectively, metallic materials pre-reduced to a large extent, fuels are completely burned within a melting receptacle. The melting receptacle (8) is tightly passing at its upper side into at least one supply space (7) essentially extending in horizontal direction. The effluent gases of the complete combustion within the melting receptacle (8), are emerging via the supply space (7), coal dust being supplied via a coal dust nozzle (15) to the hot combustion gases immediately prior to entering the supply space (7). The hot combustion gases essentially consisting of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O are at least partially converted to CO and H.sub.2 and cooled and are passed with a temperature exceeding 800.degree. C. within the supply space (7) in countercurrent to the charge material (10) to be supplied into the melting receptacle (8). While passing through the charge material (10), the combustion gases supplied with a temperature exceeding 800.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Sulzbacher
  • Patent number: 4360500
    Abstract: Uranium ore is crushed and formed into a slurry. The slurry is pumped into a leaching tank and classified by a sparge tube projecting water at teeter velocity at the bottom of the ore bed. Thereafter, a second ore bed is pumped by the slurry into the tank and the second bed classified. This is repeated until there are four or five ore beds in the tank.Thereafter, the ore is leached by passing liquid up from the bottom of the tank at velocities less than teeter velocities so that the bed remains classified.After leaching, the ore is formed into a slurry and the slurry pumped from the tanks to disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventor: Anderson B. Fly
  • Patent number: 4290801
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling hot reduced material output from a reduction furnace without exposing the material to oxygen in the air. A fluid-bed-cooler which receives the heated, reduced, material from the reduction furnace contains cooling pipes through which a cooling liquid is passed for indirectly cooling the reduced material. Additionally, the cooler is connected to a positive pressure reduction gas recirculating distribution system which continually passes cooled and cleaned oxygen-free reduction gases over the heated, reduced, material to be cooled. Any losses due to leaks in the recirculating reduction system, are replaced by oxygen-free reduction gas supplied from an exhaust gas port of the reduction furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventors: Alfred Kryczun, Theodor Manshausen
  • Patent number: 4251352
    Abstract: An improvement in the screen circumscribing or partially circumscribing the rim of an agitation tank is disclosed. A screen substantially impermeable to the charcoal is provided which is inclined inwardly at an angle between about 35.degree. and 55.degree. from vertical. The metal-bearing charcoal adhering to the screen is readily washed from the screen by the rolling motion of the mixture in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Bechtel International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 4220320
    Abstract: A silver recovery method and apparatus performing highly specific separation of silver from source material containing organic and inorganic materials, including transition metals, comprising the steps of digesting source material with nitric acid solution to form an acidic reaction mixture; thereafter adding increments of sodium or potassium cyanide solution to the separated liquid phase of the reaction mixture; discontinuing addition of cyanide solution when silver(I) cyanide precipitate ceases to form after incremental additions of cyanide solution; and separating silver(I) cyanide precipitate of high purity from the liquid phase of the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Inventor: John E. LeGrange