Abstract: Iron is removed from concentrated aluminum nitrate solution by solvent extraction with tri-n-butyl phosphate.

Abstract: New chelate exchange resins capable of selective recovery of copper, nickel, and other valuable metals from an acidic aqueous leach liquor are prepared by reacting a crosslinked haloalkyl polymer matrix resin (I) with certain aminopyridines (II) to give a resin (III) ##STR1## with pendent methyleneaminopyridine groups attached to the matrix resin. Particularly useful resins are obtained by reacting chloromethylated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer beads with an aminomethylpyridine, such as 2-picolylamine, N-methyl-2-picolylamine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-picolylamine, N-(2-methylaminoethyl)-2-picolylamine, or bis-(2-picolyl)amine. At a typical copper ore leach liquor pH of about 2, the picolylamine resins will absorb 15-30 mg copper/ml resin with a 5-10 fold selectivity for copper over ferric iron.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of crushing of the ore, neutralization by a mixture of water and sulphuric acid, introduction of a controlled quantity of sulphur dioxide gas at a pH value between 1.5 and 4 for promoting dissolution of nickel, copper and a desired quantity of manganese, leaching of the ore with sulphuric acid at a pH value between 1 and 3 for selectively dissolving the nickel and copper, separation of the solid and liquid phases, and separation of the metals contained in the liquid phase.

Abstract: Molybdenum is selectively extracted from an aqueous solution containing various other metal values, e.g. copper, arsenic, iron, bismuth, antimony, tin, and lead in addition to molybdenum. The molybdenum-bearing solution is adjusted to a pH of about 2.0 or less, and, then, intimately contacted with an organic extracting solution containing an alpha-hydroxy oxime. The loaded organic phase, containing extracted molybdenum values, is separated from the aqueous raffinate, and the molybdenum values contained in the organic phase are stripped therefrom using an aqueous stripping solution containing ammonium hydroxide. The efficiency with which the molybdenum is stripped from the loaded organic solution is poor unless nonylphenol is present in the organic solution as it is being stripped. The nonylphenol can be added to the system anytime prior to the ammonium hydroxide stripping step, e.g.

Abstract: Metal values are extracted from manganiferous ocean floor nodule ore by treating the ore with hydrochloric acid, thereby producing chlorine and a starting pulp containing a solution of the metal chlorides and a solid residue. The starting pulp is subjected to at least two subsequent acidifications with HCl, each acidification being followed by addition of fresh ore, thereby producing chlorine and a final pulp containing a concentrated solution of metal chlorides and a solid residue. The solid residue is separated from the concentrated solution and substantially all the metal values, except manganese and alkali and alkaline earth metals, are separated from the solution. The manganese is separated from the solution by treatment with chlorine, at least the major portion of which was produced in the preceding leaching steps, while maintaining the solution at a pH of between about 3 and 7 by addition of a neutralizing agent such as MgO or Mg(OH).sub.2 whereby the manganese is precipitated in the form of MnO.sub.

Abstract: Benzoxazoles having the structure ##STR1## where R is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R' is hydrogen, chlorine or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X is H or Chlorine and the total number of carbon atoms in R and R' is 6 to 40 with the proviso that one of R and R' must be an alkyl group of at least 6 carbon atoms. The benzoxazoles are useful in a process of recovering metal values, particularly copper and nickel, from aqueous solutions thereof.

Abstract: 5-Heptyl-2-hydroxybenzaldoximes in which the heptyl group is attached to the benzene ring through a tertiary carbon atom and particularly mixtures of such aldoximes are effective as extractants for metals such as copper from aqueous solutions. These aldoximes have a more rapid rate of metal transfer from aqueous to organic phase, and vice versa, than other alkylhydroxybenzaldoximes. The benzaldoximes may be prepared from the corresponding aldehydes by reaction with hydroxylamine.

Abstract: Salicylaldoximes having a total of at least three alkyl carbon atoms contained in one or more nuclear substituents are used to extract metals from aqueous solutions of their salts as complex compounds soluble in water-immiscible organic solvents. The salicylaldoximes are prepared from the corresponding salicylaldehydes by reaction with hydroxylamine.

Abstract: The metal value separation efficiencies of aliphatic .alpha.-hydroxy oximes in solvent-extraction processes are enhanced by the addition to the solvent-extractant of an alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid having a molecular weight of at least about 400, the mole % of the sulfonic acid in the combined sulfonic acid and hydroxy oxime being in the range of 10 to 80. Especially important applications for the improved solvent-extractant are in the separation and recovery of copper from iron, nickel from iron, nickel from cobalt, copper from cobalt, copper from nickel, copper from zinc, zinc from nickel, nickel from zinc, zinc from iron and cobalt from zinc in acidic aqueous media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrometallurgical treatment process for extracting, in a pure (elemental) or other valuable (i.e. commercially usable) form, constituent metals from ferro-nickel, that is nickel, cobalt, iron and sometimes chromium.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for selectively extracting cobalt value from an aqueous ammoniacal solution containing dissolved nickel and cobalt. The solution is contacted, at a pH of at least about 8.5, with an organic solution of a hydrocarbon-substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline while maintaining the pH of the aqueous solution at least at about 8.5. by adding ammonia or ammonium hydroxide. There are also dissolved in the aqueous solution ammonium ion and halide ion. The cobalt value is selectively extracted into the organic solution which is then separated from the aqueous solution; the cobalt can be stripped from the organic solution.

Abstract: A process for scrubbing extracted ammonia from oximes. The process is particularly adaptable as a secondary scrub, prior to acid stripping, in a process in which metals are recovered from ammoniacal leach liquors by solvent extraction. The present process eliminates the pH rise of the aqueous scrub liquor associated with acid scrubbing of ammonia from oximes into which ammonia has been extracted. Extractable metal sulfates are utilized in an aqueous scrub solution at a pH <7. The net result is an exchange of ammonia on the oxime for copper or nickel in the scrub solution with resulting loading of copper or nickel by the oxime and the formation of ammonium sulfate in the aqueous scrub solution with no change in the pH of the aqueous scrub solution.

Abstract: An improved liquid-liquid extraction process for separating metals from each other in which an aqueous solution containing metals is mixed with an organic solution containing an extraction agent that releases hydrogen ions. A mixture of aqueous dispersed phase and an organic continuous phase is formed and the pH of the aqueous dispersed phase is controlled by the addition of a neutralizing agent to the mixture of the aqueous dispersed phase and the organic continuous phase on the basis of pH measurements made with pH electrodes immersed in the mixture of the phases. These direct measurements permit accurate adaptation of the rate of addition of the neutralizing agent to the rate at which hydrogen ions are being released so that the pH of the aqueous dispersed phase is kept substantially constant. The phases are separated from each other after transfer of metal ions from the aqueous to the organic phase, and the separated metal values are recovered.

Abstract: A method for the recycle treatment of nickel plating waste water, in order to efficiently recover the nickel components from waste water which has been used for the washing of nickel plated products in a form re-usable as a nickel plating solution as such, wherein the nickel plating waste water is mixed with an aqueous alkaline component so as to remove, by precipitation in the form of hydroxides, contaminating metal ions other than nickel; the filtrate so obtained is treated through an ion exchange process so as to obtain an aqueous solution of nickel salts containing excess free sulfuric acid, a portion of which is then treated with alkali so as to precipitate nickel hydroxide which is separated in the form of nickel hydroxide through filtration by means of a centrifuge; the nickel hydroxide so obtained is then added to the rest of the aqueous nickel salt solution for neutralization with the free sulfuric acid contained therein to form nickel sulfate; and the free sulfuric acid is then removed so as to obta

Abstract: Process for extraction and separation of metals utilizing the advantages of liquid-liquid extraction with cation exchangers without requiring the equivalent addition of alkali. The process is based on a combination of leaching the metal-containing raw materials with an organic acid (cation exchanger) and a subsequent use of the formed metal cationic complex in a liquid-liquid extraction process. In the said extraction process, the organic solution of metal complexes is used to recover and separate metal ions from an aqueous solution of metal salts.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing raw manganese nodules for the selective recovery of metal values of nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc contained therein by hydrometallurgical means. The raw nodules are suspended in water or dilute wash solution to form a suspension. The suspension and sulfuric acid are charged to a pressure vessel to provide a solid-liquid suspension of nodules and leach solution. The solid-liquid suspension of nodules and leach solution is heated in the pressure vessel to a temperature between about 150.degree. C and about 300.degree. C to cause the nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc to be selectively leached from the nodules into the leach solution to form a metal rich leach solution containing these metals and a residue, with the solid-liquid suspension having a sulfuric acid content of less than 35 g/l upon completion of the leaching. The metal rich leach solution containing nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc is separated from the residue.

Abstract: The separation of cobalt from nickel is enhanced by extracting aqueous solutions of the respective thiocyanates with a cyclic ketone, preferably isophorone.

Abstract: Organic acids are added to ammoniacal leach liquors containing base metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt. Ammonia and carbon dioxide are then stripped from the leach liquor by heating the leach liquor sufficiently to drive off the ammonia and carbon dioxide. The resulting loss of ammonia and carbon dioxide causes the pH of the leach liquor to drop and enables the metal values to load onto the organic acid. Metal values are selectively stripped from the loaded organic acid.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering nickel and cobalt is provided wherein a sulfide material containing cobalt and nickel is first oxidation-roasted to remove volatiles and to convert the metallic values into their oxides. These oxides are then dissolved in an aqueous solution of HCl. The solution of chloride salts thus produced is contacted with an extraction solvent comprising an admixture of trinormaloctylamine and xylene whereby the bulk of the cobalt along with the iron, copper and zinc impurities and a portion of the manganese impurities present in the original material are stripped by the extraction solvent while the bulk of the nickel and the remainder of the manganese impurities remain in the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase containing the nickel and manganese impurities is treated with chlorine gas and nickelous carbonate whereby the manganese is precipitated as manganese dioxide. The nickelous chloride solution is then subjected to electrolysis to produce metallic nickel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating manganese oxide ores in an aqueous medium, with hydrogen halide or sulfuric acid, and a hydrogen sulfide or a metal sulfide, e.g. an ore. A leach liquor containing the desirable metal halides is then separated from the solid, insoluble residue. Any iron value in either the manganese oxide ore or in any metal sulfide ore present is not dissolved or is converted to an insoluble iron oxide. Elemental sulfur is also obtained.The metal values in the leach liquor are recovered by crystallization of the manganese halide and liquid ion exchange extraction of the other metal values present.

Abstract: The recovery of non-ferrous transition metals such as copper and nickel from acidic hydrometallurgical leach liquors with a 2-picolylamine chelate exchange resin is improved by the in situ reduction of Fe.sup.+.sup.3 present in the leach liquor with a water soluble reducing agent during the resin loading cycle. The chelate resin functions not only as a selective sorbent for the desired metal values, but also as a catalyst for the in situ reduction of Fe.sup.+.sup.3 to Fe.sup.+.sup.2. A suitable reducing agent such as SO.sub.2 or HCHO is fed into the chelate resin column with the leach liquor. When the loading cycle is completed, regeneration with sulfuric acid gives an enriched eluent with a high non-ferrous metal:Fe ratio. For example, using SO.sub.2 with a copper leach liquor feed, subsequent regeneration at about 70.degree. C gives better than 90 percent recovery of the copper as a highly enriched copper sulfate solution with a Cu:Fe ratio of about 10,000.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering metals which are present in aqueous solution as complex metal ammine ions having an ammonia co-ordination of at least two. According to the process, the complex metal ammine bearing solution is contacted with a cationic ion exchange resin in the ammonium form to effect loading of the complex metal ammine ions from the solution onto the resin. The loaded resin is then stripped by contacting it with a controlled volume of aqueous ammonium salt stripping solution having an ammonium ion concentration of at least two molar. The free ammonia and ammonium salt concentrations in the stripping solution are controlled such that the controlled volume of stripping solution is effective to substantially completely strip the free ammonia and metal values from the resin.

Abstract: This invention provides a halidation process for obtaining a high purity manganese oxide from a manganiferous ore, while reclaiming a substantial portion of the hydrogen halide reagent. The process comprises halidating the ore with a hydrogen halide and leaching to form the corresponding halogen and an aqueous solution comprising dissolved manganese halide and ferric halide. The hydrogen halide can be in the gaseous state and/or dissolved in the aqueous leach solution.The manganese halide and the ferric halide are preferably individually separated from the leach solution by crystallization and by selective extraction, respectively. The crystallized manganese halide is reacted with water at a temperature of from about 400.degree. C to about 700.degree. C to yield the corresponding hydrogen halide, which is recycled, and manganese oxide.In one embodiment, a concentrated leach solution is formed at a temperature of at least about 90.degree.

Abstract: A hydrochloric acid leach solution is subjected to a first cycle of extraction by an organic solvent, solvent washing and stripping so that the stripping liquor contains iron, zinc, cadmium and gallium while the liquor constituted by the first raffinate at the outlet of the extraction unit mainly contains nickel, cobalt and copper. In a second extraction cycle, the stripping liquor contains copper while the second raffinate mainly contains cobalt and nickel. In a third extraction cycle, the stripping liquor contains cobalt while the third raffinate mainly contains nickel.

Abstract: Ammoniacal leach solutions containing nickel and copper (and possibly other base metal values) are treated by first extracting copper leaving nickel in the raffinate. The nickel in the raffinate is subsequently extracted with an organic extractant. The nickel loaded organic extractant is subsequently stripped with a highly concentrated ammonium salt solution to yield a strip concentrate from which nickel or nickel oxide is recoverable without electrolytic treatment. To prevent build up of copper in the nickel extraction circuit, part or all of the organic from the nickel strip circuit is recycled back to the copper extraction circuit where copper on the organic is eventually stripped. In the copper extraction circuit, the nickel on the recycled organic is replaced by copper from the aqueous, preventing build up of nickel on the organic leaving the copper extraction circuit.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for separating the halide of cobalt, and optionally nickel, from a pregnant aqueous solution, the aqueous solution also containing a manganese halide. The process comprises initially extracting the cobalt halide and a portion of any manganese halide which is present into an organic extract. The nickel halide is then separately extracted from the solution. The manganese halide is preliminarily preferentially stripped from the organic extract containing cobalt and manganese utilizing an aqueous solution comprising halide ions. The cobalt halide in the extract can then be stripped into an aqueous solution together with the remaining manganese to form a strip solution. The manganese is then preferentially extracted from the strip solution, leaving a manganese-free, substantially pure cobalt solution. Any nickel can be selectively extracted from the manganese remaining in the pregnant solution.

Abstract: A process in which copper, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum are recovered by direct leaching of comminuted raw manganese nodules with an aqueous ammoniacal leach solution containing cuprous ions. During the process cuprous ions reduce the nodules, are consumed, and are oxidized to cupric ions. The cuprous ions are regenerated by reducing the cupric ions with a reducing gas.

Abstract: An ammoniacal solution containing nickel and cobalt is contacted with an extractant comprising an oxime or oxine compound dissolved in an organic diluent to selectively extract the nickel into the organic phase while leaving most of the cobalt in the aqueous ammoniacal phase from which it is subsequently recovered. The nickel-loaded organic extract is washed with water and aqueous carbon dioxide to remove and recover ammonia which undesirably transfers to the organic phase during the extraction. The ammonia-free, nickel-loaded extract is then stripped with aqueous sulfuric acid at low temperature to remove the nickel. The ammonia-free nickel sulfate solution produced in the stripping operation is particularly suitable for recovering the nickel by electrolytic deposition.

Abstract: Nickel values are recovered from ammoniacal solutions in a continuous solvent extraction process utilizing a plurality of elongated columns containing a multiplicity of spaced-apart, perforated trays, or decks. The organic solvent constitutes an oxime and at least one species of hydrocarbon diluent having from three to seven carbon atoms per molecule. Elevated pressures in the range of about 100 to 1,000 psig. (7.03 to 70.3 kg/sq.cm.) are utilized.

Abstract: An improvement in the process of extracting metal from aqueous acidic solution using a quaternary ammonium thiocyanate extractant wherein a special amount of thiocyanate ion is introduced into the aqueous solution prior to or contemporaneously with the extraction. Results achieved are better extractions with little or no additional loss of thiocyanate ion in the aqueous raffinate.

Abstract: Metal can be recovered from metal-containing waste by means of liquid extraction processes. The waste is leached with sulphuric acid. The resulting metal sulphate solution is contacted with an organic solution of a reagent, so as to extract iron and zinc to the organic solution. The organic solution is washed with sulphuric acid in two steps, viz. with weaker acid in the first step, so as to transfer zinc to the washing solution, and with stronger acid in the second step, so as to transfer iron to the washing solution. Zinc and iron have now been separated, and are recovered from the washing solutions in known ways, for example by crystallization. If the waste contains other metals, in addition to iron and zinc, additional selective liquid extraction processes are added, before or after the iron-zinc-extraction.

Abstract: The ore is subjected to nitric acid leaching and the leach solution is heated to a temperature at which one of the additional sulfur and iron values is selectively insolubilized with respect to the solution, while the other is maintained in solution for subsequent separation from the liquor after the insolubles have been removed and the liquor has been neutralized. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention the heating and acid neutralization steps are controlled within certain prescribed limits to make it possible to remove the metals from the liquor by solvent extraction without the problem of lasting precipitates forming in the liquor and fouling the extraction process. Where there is a sizable amount of dissolved iron in the liquor, the liquor may be subjected to autoclaving at a temperature above about 149.degree.C (300.degree.F) to precipitate the iron as the oxide thereof. This effect is possible even where the liquor is high in sulfate concentration.

Abstract: O-Nitrosophenols adapted for the liquid-liquid extraction of metals, e.g., copper, from aqueous solutions and a nitrosation process for the preparation of the phenols.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously obtaining separate enriched fractions of heavier and lighter isotopes from mixtures thereof with the use of an ion exchange resin column by passing a ligand body containing this isotope mixture through the column. The isotopes, as they are passed through the column, are present in the forms of ligand-containing coordination compounds having different valence states and are followed by an eluant and form a band which travels through the column, the front and rear portions of which are respectively enriched in one of the isotopes and depleted in the other.

Abstract: Ocean floor nodules are treated with aqueous hydrogen halide to produce a pregnant leach solution which is subjected to selective solvent extraction to isolate metal values contained in the ore.

Abstract: Quinoline-2-carboxylic acids having in the 4-position a halogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group attached through an oxygen atom, optionally substituted by a hydrocarbyl group in the 3 position and optionally substituted in any of the 5, 6, 7 and 8 positions by halogen atoms, nitro or cyano groups, or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl groups each attained directly or through an oxygen atom, and containing in the substituents in the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 positions a total of at least 3 carbon atoms form complexes with metals, especially copper. These complexes may be extracted by organic solvents from aqueous solutions of metal salts treated with the quinoline-2-carboxylic acids.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for separating metal values from an anhydrous mixture of metal halides in a fluid state, i.e. vapor or liquid; the separation is made by contacting a fluid mixture containing a halide of at least one less-noble metal selected from the group consisting of iron and manganese, and a halide of at least one more-noble metal selected from the group consisting of copper, cobalt and nickel, with an elemental metal. This procedure is especially effective in the refining of ocean floor nodule ores.

Abstract: In conventional processes for separating metals by selective precipitation, the precipitate is frequently in an amorphous form, eg a slime, which is difficult to filter, wash and handle generally. In the present process mixed solutions and/or sols of the metals are mixed with a suitable soluble organic polymer to form a viscous mixture. The latter is formed into discrete entities, e.g. drops, which are contacted with a reagent which converts each drop to a gelled entity containing at least one of the metals as a precipitate.In one form of the process, the same chemical reagent also serves to dissolve the other metal present in the initial drops. The metals are then easily separated by separating the gelled drops from the reagent. In another form, the reagent includes two different chemical reagents which contact the drop simultaneously, one to precipitate one metal in the gelled drops and the other to dissolve the other metal.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating nickel and cobalt from a cobalt-nickel precipitate, the cobalt being in the cobaltic state. The method comprises dissolving the precipitate in an ammonium sulfate solution containing NH.sub.3, acidifying the solution to a pH of about 1.5 to 3.0 and then cooling the solution to produce a nickel-ammonium sulfate precipitate highly enriched in nickel. The precipitate is separated from the solution and the solution passed through an ion exchange column selective to the removal of nickel, the solution remaining containing said cobalt substantially free of nickel, the cobalt solution being then sent to cobalt recovery.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of metal values, principally molybdenum, by contacting an acidic aqueous solution containing iron, copper and sulfate ions in addition to the metal values to be recovered with an alkyl amine dissolved in a water-insoluble liquid hydrocarbon and subsequently contacting the resultant organic phase in multiple stages at controlled pH.

Abstract: Rhenium is recovered in a substantially pure form from a hydrochloric acid solution thereof contaminated with molybdenum and iron by adding sulfuric acid to establish a sulfate/chloride anion ratio of at least 20:1 and mixing the solution with a liquid trialkyl phosphate to extract rhenium in the phosphate phase. The trialkyl phosphate phase is seaprated and washed with sulfuric acid to remove any residual iron and molybdenum and thereafter with hydrochloric acid to remove entrained sulfuric acid. Rhenium is recovered by back extracting with nitric acid.

Abstract: A compound having the general formula ##SPC1##In which R.sup.1 , R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be the same or different and represent hydrogen, a straight or branched chain alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkyl radical having 7 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted by one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or may be of the type: ##SPC2##Wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and each R represents the others of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A method of separating cobalt (II) and nickel (II) by extraction with an organic extraction solution from an aqueous solution containing these metal ions is disclosed, in which a water soluble magnesium compound is added to the aqueous solution prior to the extraction and after the extraction the extraction agent is regenerated to recover the cobalt.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for selectively removing metal values from ocean floor nodule ore by a two-stage procedure. In the first stage, the ore is leached with an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid or a hydrogen halide to preferentially remove nickel and copper. In the second stage, the ore is leached with a reducing agent to preferentially remove cobalt and manganese. The two leach solutions can then be further treated to separate the individual metal values, e.g., by liquid ion exchange procedures.