Ion Exchanging Or Liquid-liquid Extracting Patents (Class 423/139)
  • Patent number: 5262019
    Abstract: Technetium-contaminated nickel is decontaminated by electrolytically dissolving nickel having a gross beta activity of at least about 74 Bq in a sulfuric acid solution having a pH between about 0.5 and 2.0. The applied voltage is from 2.0 v/cell to 5.0 v/cell for dissolving the nickel and contaminants while cathodically producing hydrogen gas. Technetium (+4) species in the acid solution is oxidized to the technetium (+7) species. The pH of the technetium-containing acid solution is adjusted to between 2.5 to 4.5. Particulates in the acid solution are filtered from the solution for reducing the gross beta activity of the acid solution to less than about 50 Bq/gm. Radioactive ions (including technetium complexes) are sorbed in an anionic exchanger and a cationic exchanger for reducing the gross beta activity of the acid solution to less than about 20 Bq/gm. After verifying the gross beta activity of the acid solution, the acid solution is either recycled or charged to a electrowinning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Snyder, Laura J. Ayers, Chuck A. Cooney, Gregory F. Boris, Dwight F. Goad, Kevin D. Robbins, Darrell B. Watkins
  • Patent number: 5256187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the extraction and separation of low concentrations of precious group metals from acid chloride solutions, which are obtained by leaching catalytic converters, by utilizing a 8-hydroxyquinoline containing resin and a thiourea stripping process. The said process eliminates the phase separation problems and reagent losses which are normally associated with prior art methods. In addition to being used as a catalytic converter recycler, the present invention can be also employed by waste water treatment plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Sherex Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Gefvert
  • Patent number: 5246481
    Abstract: A process for the production of powdered metallic cobalt by reduction of cobaltous ammonium sulphate solutions. A soluble silver salt, preferably silver sulphate, is added in an amount to provide a soluble silver to cobalt weight ratio in the range of 1 to 10 g silver:1 kg cobalt, an organic dispersant such as bone glue or polyacrylic acid, or mixture thereof, is added in an amount of 0.01. to 2.5% of the weight of the cobalt, an ammonia to cobalt mole ratio of about 1.5:1 to 3.0:1 is established, and the solution is heated to a temperature in the range of 150 to 250.degree. C., preferably about 175.degree. C., with agitation under a hydrogen pressure of 2500 to 5000 kPa for a time sufficient to reduce the cobaltous sulphate to cobalt metal powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Sherritt Gordon Limited
    Inventor: Hugh C. Scheie
  • Patent number: 5238663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering nickel from industrial effluents, characterized in thata) the effluent loaded with nickel is allowed to settle in a corrugated-plate separator (1) for the removal of solid constituents contained therein,b) a flocculant is added and the mixture is neutralized with alkali or mineral acid,c) after flocculation, the mixture is again allowed to settle in a corrugated-plate separator (3) andd) filtered through a sand filter (4),e) the filtered effluent is passed through a sequestering cation exchanger system containing three exchanger columns, the first column (5) being loaded up to breakthrough of nickel, the second column (6) serving as a guard filter and the third column (7) being regenerated or standing by in the freshly regenerated state,f) the particular column loaded with nickel is regenerated with dilute mineral acid, andg) the regenerate is treated with sodium hypophosphite in the presence of catalytic quantities of sodium borohydride, and to equipment for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Werner Vikari, Ralf Steinstrasser, Heinrich Nikolaus, Gunther Feldmann-Schlohbohm, Klaus Behne
  • Patent number: 5223232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating iron and/or zirconium from the actinides and/or lanthanides present in an aqueous acid solution by means of a propane diamide.According to the invention, use is made of a pentasubstituted propane diamide of formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which can be the same or different, are alkyl radicals, which can have 1 or 2 oxygen atoms in their chain.To maintain the iron in aqueous solution, a choice is made of an appropriate propane diamide of formula (I) with R.sup.3 representing a C.sub.12 to C.sub.25 alkyl in order to have different extraction kinetics between Fe and the actinides or lanthanides, or an additive is added to the aqueous solution, e.g. oxalic acid or sodium nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Christine Cuillerdier, Pierre Hoel, Claude Musikas, Laurence Nigond
  • Patent number: 5190735
    Abstract: A process for selective separation of germanium-68 from proton irradiated molybdenum targets is provided and includes dissolving the molybdenum target in a hydrogen peroxide solution to form a first ion-containing solution, contacting the first ion-containing solution with a cationic resin whereby ions selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, niobium, technetium, selenium, vanadium, arsenic, germanium, zirconium and rubidium remain in a second ion-containing solution while ions selected from the group consisting of rubidium, zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, strontium, yttrium and zirconium are selectively adsorbed by the first resin, adjusting the pH of the second ion-containing solution to within a range of from about 0.7 to about 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dennis R. Phillips, David J. Jamriska, Sr., Virginia T. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 5182026
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel ion-exchange and chelate-exchange resins having improved exchange kinetics for separating chemical species from liquids. The resins are prepared from copolymer beads consisting of a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linking monomer. The copolymer beads are functionalized such that weak-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are most accessible to diffusion into the beads, while hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are least accessible to diffusion. The resins have improved exchange kinetics due to shortened diffusion path lengths for the chemical species being separated and improved diffusion into the resin beads due to the hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: William C. Pike
  • Patent number: 5174812
    Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of nickel from an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate liquor containing nickel II ions and cobalt III ions by liquid-liquid extraction where ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solutions are the only aqueous phases involved in the process. The process includes the successive steps of: (a) oxidizing the majority of any cobalt II ammines in the ammoniacal liquid to cobalt III; (b) extracting nickel from the ammoniacal liquor with an organic reagent, which reagent may also contain a suitable modifying reagent, to form a nickel loaded organic phase and an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate phase containing cobalt; (c) stripping the nickel loaded organic phase characterized by contacting the organic phase with an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solution to form a nickel loaded aqueous strip liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: MEQ Nickel Pty., Ltd.
    Inventors: Malcolm J. Price, John G. Reid
  • Patent number: 5167938
    Abstract: A process for selective separation of strontium-82 and strontium-85 from proton irradiated molybdenum targets comprises dissolving the molybdenum target in a hydrogen peroxide solution to form a first solution containing ions selected from a group consisting of molybdenum, niobium, technetium, selenium, vanadium, arsenic, germanium, zirconium, rubidium, zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, strontium, and yttrium; passing the solution through a first cationic resin whereby ions selected from a group consisting of zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, strontium, yttrium a portion of zirconium and a portion of rubidium are selectively absorbed by the first resin; contacting the first resin with an acid solution to strip and remove the absorbed ions from the first cationic exchange resin to form a second solution; evaporating the second solution for a time sufficient to remove substantially all of the acid and water from the solution whereby a residue remains; dissolving the residue i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Richard C. Heaton, David J. Jamriska, Sr., Wayne A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5158711
    Abstract: There is disclosed an insoluble tannin preparation process, in which a tannin is first dissolved in an aldehyde aqueous solution. Then, ammonia is added to the solution to produce a precipitate, and the resulting precipitate is subjected to aging. The insoluble tannin thus prepared is employed to treat a waste liquid. Furthermore, there is disclosed an adsorption process in which a tannin is first dissolved in a solution containing a material to be adsorbed. Thereafter, an aldehyde is added to the solution to produce a precipitate having tannin as a principal constituent. The material to be adsorbed is adsorbed to this precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co.
    Inventors: Wataru Shirato, Yoshinobu Kamei
  • Patent number: 5154757
    Abstract: A method for producing pure cobalt metal powder involves the removal of divalent cationic impurities from a trivalent hexamine cobalt chloride solution. This solution is then decomposed to an insoluble cobalt oxide-containing material, from which pure cobalt metal powder is obtained through a chemical reduction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Miller, Thomas A. Wolfe, Michael J. Cheresnowsky, Tai K. Kim
  • Patent number: 5141965
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel ion-exchange and chelate-exchange resins having improved exchange kinetics for separating chemical species from liquids. The resins are prepared from copolymer beads consisting of a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linking monomer. The copolymer beads are functionalized such that weak-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are most accessible to diffusion into the beads, while hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are least accessible to diffusion. The resins have improved exchange kinetics due to shortened diffusion path lengths for the chemical species being separated and improved diffusion into the resin beads due to the hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: William C. Pike
  • Patent number: 5112873
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel ion-exchange and chelate-exchange resins having improved exchange kinetics for separating chemical species from liquids. The resins are prepared from copolymer beads consisting of a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linking monomer. The copolymer beads are functionalized such that weak-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are most accessible to diffusion into the beads, while hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are least accessible to diffusion. The resins have improved exchange kinetics due to shortened diffusion path lengths for the chemical species being separated and improved diffusion into the resin beads due to the hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: William C. Pike
  • Patent number: 5108615
    Abstract: A new process for removal of a metal ion from an anionic complex, including a first chelating agent and a metal ion, such as copper, nickel or cobalt ion, in electroless plating bath rinse streams utilizes a cation exchange resin to extract the metal ion from the rinse stream after the metal ion has been removed from the anionic complex and complexed with a second chelating agent.In another embodiment, a competing chelating agent is not added to the electroless plating bath waste stream, but rather, another metal ion (B), which has a higher affinity for the chelating agent than the metal ion (A) of interest and which is nontoxic, is added to the waste stream. Metal ion B is selected so that under predetermined conditions, metal ion B forms a stronger complex with the chelating agent than does metal ion A. Also, the complex of the chelating agent and nontoxic metal ion B is anionic. A cation exchange resin is used to extract metal ion A from the treated waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Bio-Recovery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Hosea, Michael D. Mayne, Dennis W. Darnall
  • Patent number: 5102640
    Abstract: Dipicolylamine (DPA) is chemically bound to the surface of a silicate, forming a solid phase particle without substantially decreasing the affinity constant of the DPA for certain ions. Then, the solid phase particle is contacted with the solution, thereby binding an ion to the particle. Subsequently the ion can be stripped from the ligand by treatment with a complexing agent or acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Carl W. Schlapfer
  • Patent number: 5093091
    Abstract: Iron is removed from concentrated alum solutions by contacting said solutions with a polymer containing hydroxamic acid or salt groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: David L. Dauplaise, Wei S. Yen
  • Patent number: 5078978
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the quantitative removal and concentration of desired transition metal ions from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other metal and H.sup.+ ions. The method comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a compound comprising a pyridine containing ligand covalently bonded through an organic spacer silicon grouping to a solid inorganic support. The pyridine portion(s) of the compound has an affinity for the desired metal ions to form a complex thereby removing the desired metal ions from the source solution. The desired metal ions are removed from the compound by contacting the compound with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution having a greater affinity for the desired metal ions than does the pyridine ligand portion of the compound. The concentrated metal ions thus removed may be recovered by known methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Bryon J. Tarbet, Jerald S. Bradshaw, Krzysztof E. Krakowiak, Reed M. Izatt, Ronald L. Bruening
  • Patent number: 5057469
    Abstract: Iron nitrosyl carbonyl catalyst is prepared by dissolving impure iron nitrosyl carbonyl in a solvent solution, then adding sufficient miscible non-solvent to the solution to result in separation of the mixture into an upper layer and a lower layer containing iron nitrosyl carbonyl. Preferably, the solvent is used in preparation of the iron nitrosyl carbonyl, and the solution is, therefore, the product of the preparation. The miscible non-solvent is added to the product solution to effect separation of layers for isolation of purified iron nitrosyl carbonyl product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Duane E. Heaton
  • Patent number: 5051186
    Abstract: A method of processing acidic Fe-containing solutions, in particular spent (discarded) pickling solutions, by liquid/liquid extraction with organic ion exchangers wherein the solutions also contain Zn, the contents in Fe and Zn are jointly extracted in a first extraction step, the first organic extract obtained which is charged with Fe.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+ and Zn.sup.2+ is used for a renewed extraction of fresh solution wherein the Fe.sup.2+ -content of the first extract is exchanged for the Zn.sup.2+ -content of the fresh solution, and that the Zn.sup.2+ -content is separated from the second organic extract by stripping with acid. In particular, the renewed extraction is carried out at a pH value which is changed as compared to the pH value of the first extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Prior Engineering AG
    Inventor: Adalbert Prior
  • Patent number: 5028403
    Abstract: Metals selected from the group consisting of zinc (II), cadmium (II), nickel (II), cobalt (II), manganese (II), iron (III) and copper (II) from aqueous solutions containing the same are extracted therefrom by contacting said solution with an extractant having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are, individually, selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cyloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl and cycloalkylaryl radicals having 2-24 carbon atoms and X is hydrogen, ammonium or an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt-forming radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: William A. Rickelton, Allan J. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5017344
    Abstract: A process for separating iron +3 from uranium +6 is an organic solution of a neutral phosphine oxide and an acid organophosphorus compound. The uranium-containing organic solution is contacted with aqueous oxalic acid or an aqueous mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid so that most of the uranium remains in the organic solution and most of the iron passes into the aqueous acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires (Cogema)
    Inventors: Andre Textoris, Georges Lyaudet, Andre Bathelier
  • Patent number: 5011666
    Abstract: Process for purifying TiO.sub.2 ore consisting essentially of subjecting the ore to two or more leaching treatments, said leaching treatments alternating between use of an aqueous solution of a mineral acid and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting essentially of alkali metal carbonates, hydroxides or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Tze Chao, George H. Senkler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5009868
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for rejuvenation of strip acid employed in the reclamation of expended lead-acid battery acid through extraction and filtration for removing metallic impurities from the battery acid. In the process of removing impurities from battery acid through extraction, the extractant becomes loaded with impurities and loses its effectiveness. Extractant may be regenerated by contacting it with an strip acid. In the present invention, a reduction process is employed to regenerate the strip acid so that it may be used repeatedly. By recycling the extractant and the strip acid in the present invention, the present process further increases the effectiveness of battery acid regeneration--producing a reclaimed battery acid fluid which performs very well in new batteries and substantially reducing by-product waste in the regeneration of the battery acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Spitz, Mark Bricker
  • Patent number: 5006319
    Abstract: A process is provided for purifying phosphoric acid, such as wet process phosphoric acid by extracting the impure phosphoric acid with a nonaqueous solvent and contacting the nonaqueous solution of phosphoric acid with a strongly basic anion exchange resin and recovering the purified phosphoric acid by stripping the nonaqueous solution with an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Hall, Denise D. Goyden
  • Patent number: 4975253
    Abstract: Nickel and cobalt are reversibly extracted from nickel and cobalt bearing aqueous solutions using solvent extraction techniques by contacting the aqueous solution with a hydrocarbon solvent containing a N-alkylalkanohydroxamic acid having at least about 8 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Arthur R. Henn
  • Patent number: 4971780
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process of extraction and filtration for removing metallic impurities from the acid in used lead-acid batteries. Produced is a reclaimed battery acid fluid which performs very well in new batteries and which avoids the severe costs and environmental risks entailed in present methods of battery acid fluid disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 4965055
    Abstract: Metal halides are ultrapurified by selective complexation with a complexing gent to form a charged first complex. A ligand forms an oppositely charged second complex with metallic impurities in the metal halide to be purified. A solution containing these complexes is then passed through an ion exchange column and the desired purified metal halide collected. The present method is particularly useful in the production of ultrapure metal halides, such as zirconium fluorinate, for metallic glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul E. R. Nordquist, Jr., Arnold H. Singer
  • Patent number: 4957714
    Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in the solvent extraction process for recovering metal values, i.e. copper, from aqueous solutions, particularly aqueous solutions, containing copper and iron which may also include chloride, and more particularly to an improvement which provides for increased copper to iron ratios in the loaded organic extractant phase. The improvement comprises washing the loaded organic extractant phase prior to stripping of the copper values therefrom with an aqueous acidic scrub solution containing at least a portion of electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Olafson, Roy G. Lewis, Gary A. Kordosky
  • Patent number: 4956154
    Abstract: Aqueous effluent solutions containing metal cations may be treated with an extractant comprising an organophosphinic acid, a di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid and/or an aliphatic amine to selectively separate chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper and lead cations from the aqueous solution. Typical extraction techniques include liquid-liquid extraction employing either mixer settlers or columns, liquid membrane extraction and selective supported membrane extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: UNC Reclamation
    Inventors: Alex Magdics, Donald B. Stain
  • Patent number: 4954466
    Abstract: A process is provided for recovering cobalt values from a cobalt-N-acetyliminodiacetic acid complex by dissolving the complex in an aqueous solution of a strong acidic solution, extracting the acid solution with a hydrocarbon solvent containing a trialkylamine to transfer the cobalt from the aqueous solution into the hydrocarbon solvent, stripping the cobalt from the hydrocarbon solvent with water, and precipitating the cobalt from the stripping water by using a strong alkali.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: Robert B. Weisenfeld
  • Patent number: 4952378
    Abstract: A method for neutralization of sulfuric acid containing Fe ions, comprising adding ions selected from the group consisting of Na ions, K ions, Mg ions, Ca ions and NH.sub.4 ions in the form of a compound containing chlorine to a sulfuric acid solution to be treated in an amount corresponding at least to the chemical equivalent to SO.sub.4.sup.2-, and bringing the resultant solution into contact with an organic solvent containing oxygen or comprising alkylamine for extracting Fe ions from said aqueous solution into the organic phase as chloride complex. Iron chloride can be recovered from the organic phase by distilling or evaporating the organic solvent or by extracting back it into water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Solex Research Corporation of Japan
    Inventors: Morio Watanabe, Renpei Sei
  • Patent number: 4933071
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of iron from hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising passing the feedstock over inert, fibrous material in the presence of sulfur to induce the deposition of iron sulfide on the fibrous material through autocatalytic homoepitaxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: John V. Heyse
  • Patent number: 4915919
    Abstract: An improved method for selectively rcovering Ge from acidic solution containing Ge and typically Zn, As, Cd, Sb, In, Cu and Fe (II) by multistage, countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction is described. The extractant used in the organic phase is an oxime, for example, 5,8-diethyl-7-hydroxy-6-dodecanone oxime, mixed with at least one alkylphosphoric acid, for example either di-2-ethylhexyl phosphate alone or admixed with mono-2-ethylhexyl phosphate, dissolved in a hydrocarbon diluent. This mixed system shows better efficiency and selectivity for germanium than known systems using either oximes or alkylphosphoric acids separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Cominco Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel A. D. Boateng, David A. Neudorf, Victor N. Saleh
  • Patent number: 4913884
    Abstract: This is an improvement to a process for making zirconium metal from uranium-containing zircon ore. The process being improved is of the type which utilizes a fluidized bed carbochlorination process of the zircon ore in which uranium chloride is volatilized at the ore chlorinator temperature and follows as an impurity in the zirconium-hafnium tetrachloride stream, and in which removal of iron impurities is performed by liquid-liquid iron extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone, and the zirconium-hafnium stream is further processed by a separations step to reduce the hafnium content to low levels by liquid-liquid hafnium extraction. The improvement comprises adding 1-9 weight percent quaternary ammonium halide (e.g. tricaprylmethylammonium chloride) to the methyl isobutyl ketone in the liquid-liquid iron extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Feuling
  • Patent number: 4900522
    Abstract: Sulfate solutions containing nickel and cobalt ions are treated by solvent extraction to provide a nickel raffinate with a high Ni:Co ratio and a cobalt raffinate with a high Co:Ni ratio and with low recycle of cobalt by treating the solution with a cobalt extractant to provide a nickel raffinate of high Ni:Co ratio and a loaded extractant, acid stripping the loaded extractant to provide a cobalt sulfate solution containing some nickel and a regenerated cobalt extractant, treating the cobalt sulfate solution with a nickel extractant to provide a cobalt raffinate with a high Co:Ni ratio and acid stripping the loaded nickel extractant to regenerate the extractant and to provide a recyclable sulfate solution containing only a small proportion of the original cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Amax Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie C. Chou, Leo W. Beckstead
  • Patent number: 4891130
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing accumulated metals, particularly vanadium and nickel, from particulate aluminosilicate materials and aluminosilicate materials that are obtained by the process. The process may advantageously be used to remove accumulated metals from spent aluminosilicate contact materials used in selective vaporization processes of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,128. The process of this invention yields materials suitable for effective recycling to a selective vaporization unit or for ecologically-acceptable disposal, as well as, optionally, recovery of metals in saleable form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Pitts
  • Patent number: 4882132
    Abstract: Cobalt is reversibly extracted from cobalt bearing aqueous solutions using solvent extraction techniques by contacting the aqueous solution with a hydrocarbon solvent containing a N-alkylakanohydroxamic acid having at least about 8 carbon atoms. A new class of cobalt complexes is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Arthur R. Henn
  • Patent number: 4878442
    Abstract: An improved method for removing nitrogen oxides from concentrated waste gas streams, in which nitrogen oxides are ignited with a carbonaceous material in the presence of substoichiometric quantities of a primary oxidant, such as air. Additionally, reductants may be ignited along with the nitrogen oxides, carbonaceous material and primary oxidant to achieve greater reduction of nitrogen oxides. A scrubber and regeneration system may also be included to generate a concentrated stream of nitrogen oxides from flue gases for reduction using this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: James T. Yeh, James M. Ekmann, Henry W. Pennline, Charles J. Drummond
  • Patent number: 4876232
    Abstract: Compositions comprising carbon-based supports and containing heteropolycyclic compounds such as bipyridyl, phenanthroline or derivatives thereof are used in separation of dissolved late transition metals such as Fe, Co, Ni and Cu from solutions, in particular when such solutions contain high concentrations of other dissolved metals such as Zr, Hf, La, Al and Ba. Such compositions are also used to separate late transition metals such as Pt group metals from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignees: Pedro B. Macedo, Theodore A. Litovitz
    Inventor: Aaron Barkatt
  • Patent number: 4861564
    Abstract: The compounds of the invention comprise the condensation product, as well as derivatives thereof, of two equivalents of a trimethyl cyclohexane-anhydride acid chloride derivative with one equivalent of an aromatic diamine. The scope of the invention includes the method of using the compounds of the invention as chelating agents for metals, metal ions or ions of metal complexes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the binding moieties of the cyclohexane derivatives are rigidly held opposite each other, by restricting their rotation about the N-C aryl bonds, in order to more effectively bind the metals or the ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Year Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius Rebek
  • Patent number: 4861565
    Abstract: Metal values including those of cobalt, vanadium, aluminum, molybdenum and tungsten are recovered from spent petroleum refining catalyst by acid leaching the metal values except those of molybdenum or tungsten, separating the resulting solution from the leach residue and selectively recovering the cobalt, vanadium and aluminum values from the solution and recovering the molybdenum and tungsten values from the leach residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: The Hall Chemical Company
    Inventors: Verner B. Sefton, Robert Fox, William P. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 4840776
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for purifying cobalt of sodium and ammonia which involves heating a solution of hexammine cobalt (III) chloride at a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C., adding sodium hydroxide to the solution at a rate of addition not exceeding about 0.22 moles of sodium hydroxide per mole of cobalt per minute with the total amount of sodium hydroxide not exceeding about 1.4 times the stoichiometric amount required to form cobaltic hydroxide, separating the resulting cobaltic hydroxide precipitate from the resulting liquor, washing the precipitate with hot deionized water to remove sodium so that the level of sodium in the cobaltic hydroxide is equal to or less than about 60 weight parts per million on a cobalt basis, and firing the resulting washed precipitate at a temperature of from about 180.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. to remove essentially all of the water and ammonia therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Eric F. Husted
  • Patent number: 4840775
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for purifying cobaltic hydroxide of sodium and chloride which involves firing the cobaltic hydroxide at a temperature of from about 180.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. to remove essentially all of the water and to release sodium from the crystal matrix of the cobaltic hydroxide, slurrying the dried cobaltic hydroxide in a deionized water solution which contains a sufficient amount of an ionic compound to prevent the peptization of the cobaltic hydroxide, to solublize essentially all of the chloride and a greater portion of the sodium than would otherwise be solubilized without the firing step, and removing the purified cobaltic hydroxide from the resulting liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Eric F. Husted, Judith A. Ladd
  • Patent number: 4836956
    Abstract: Polyvalent cations (e.g., U(IV), Fe(III) can be extracted from aqueous solution using novel organophosphorus compounds of the formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl, alkoxyl, alkylaryl and alkylaryloxyl groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or hydroxyl;R.sup.3 is independently selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and alkylaryl groups having 1 to about 18 carbon atoms or hydrogen;R.sup.4 is independently selected from alkyl and alkylaryl groups having 1 to about 18 carbon atoms; provided that the sum of the carbon atoms of the R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 groups is at least 15; andR.sup.5 is independently selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl and alkylaryl groups having 1 to about 18 carbon atoms or a polymeric group; provided that the sum of the carbon atoms of the R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 groups is at least 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Occidental Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Kem
  • Patent number: 4830836
    Abstract: A metal stripping system and an operation process therefor which includes the following elements and steps. A main part of this system is a crystallization apparatus for metal stripping comprising a mixing zone of organic solvent and fluoride series stripping solution, a settling zone for organic solvent, a settling zone for stripping solution, a separation zone for fluorinated metal complex crystal and a stripping solution cooling zone. In the operation of the system wherein the organic solvent containing extracted metal ions is contacted with the fluoride series stripping solution to deposit the fluorinated metal complex crystal and then the crystal is recovered as metal or metal oxide, the stripping solution is circularly used by supplying NH.sub.4 HF.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Uchino, Toshio Watanabe, Yoshio Nakazato, Minoru Hoshino, Akira Yamamoto, Kanji I
  • Patent number: 4818503
    Abstract: The purpose of the process is to remove and to recover metals from their aqueous solution by the extraction process. As extractant is used monoesters of phosphonic acid wherein the alkyl group is a phenyl-vinyl group or straight-chained and the ester group is straight-chained. The particular advantage of the process is that the metals can be removed from aqueous solutions to be treated without neutralization of the acid quantity produced during extraction, and this acid solution produced can be circulated e.g. to the stage before the extraction. The process can be used to the removing of metals from the industrial waste waters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Bror G. Nyman, Leif Erik I. Hummelstedt
  • Patent number: 4808384
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering tungsten, iron, and manganese from tungsten bearing material. The process involves digesting the material in a sufficient amount of sulfuric acid at a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. for a sufficient time in the presence of coal as a reducing agent to form a digestion solution containing the major portion of the scandium, iron, and manganese and a digestion residue containing the major portion of the tungsten, followed by separating the solution from the residue. The major portion of the scandium can be extracted from the digestion solution with an organic solution consisting essentially of a mixture of tertiary alkyl primary amines which are present in an amount sufficient to extract the major portion of the scandium, and the balance an essentially aromatic solvent. The scandium is stripped from the organic with hydrochloric acid which is then separated from the stripped organic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence D. Vanderpool, Judith A. Ladd, Martin B. MacInnis, Mary A. Fedorchak
  • Patent number: 4789444
    Abstract: Process for electrolytically producing metals of Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Cr, comprising, electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing ions of a metal as main component selected from Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Cr in a cathode compartment to deposit the metal electrolytically on a cathode, the cathode compartment being separated by one or more diaphragms from the remainder of the solution where iron or a metal containing iron is used for material of corrosible anode, and maintaining the concentration of iron ion in the solution circulating in the anode compartment at a low level by bringing the whole or a part of the circulating solution into contact with an organic solvent which is prepared by adding petroleum hydrocarbon for dilution of one or more extracting agents selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, alkylaryl phosphoric acids, hydroxyoximes, alkyl phosphoric acids, alkylamines, ketones, alkylamides, and neutral phosphoric acid esters, to extract and remove the iron or the chloro-complex ion
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Solex Research Corporation of Japan
    Inventors: Morio Watanabe, Sanji Nishimura, Nobuatsu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4778520
    Abstract: A process comprises leaching zinc oxide either separately or in conjunction with iron oxides from a partially desulfurized zinc bearing sulfide ore of concentrate. The ore is pretreated to eliminate in a controlled manner sulfur-sulfur-sulfide in the ore yet leaving sufficient residual sulfur-sulfide in the material such that iron values are maintained substantially wholly in the ferrous state, while converting zinc sulfide to zinc oxide without formation of FeO-ZnO complexes. The partially desulfurized material may be selectively leached with a sulfuric acid containing solution under neutral leach conditions to dissolve thereby preferentially the zinc oxide over the iron oxide. Alternatively the material may be leached with a higher concentration of sulfuric acid containing solution to dissolve preferentially zinc oxide and iron oxide simultaneously. The leach liquor may be subsequently treated to electrolytically remove zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Donald R. Spink, Jerry Y. Stein
  • Patent number: 4765834
    Abstract: A process for the selective concentration of metal values in solution wherein said metal-containing solution is contacted with a multiple-phase system having a common solvent, thereby causing the preferential migration of metal values into one phase of said multiple-phase system. The phases of the system may then be isolated and the metal values recovered therefrom by conventional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Kavssery P. Ananthapadmanabhan, Errol D. Goddard