Ion Exchanging Or Liquid-liquid Extracting Patents (Class 423/157)
  • Patent number: 11731933
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating water, including the extraction of at least two ionic species, the ionic species including an anionic species and a cationic species and being present in the water to be treated, the method especially including a step of mixing a liquid hydrophobic organic phase and the water to be treated, the water to be treated being in the liquid state, in order to subsequently obtain liquid treated water and a hydrophobic liquid organic phase loaded with the ionic species, and a step of thermal regeneration of the organic phase loaded with chemical species. Also disclosed are compounds and compositions that can be used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ADIONICS
    Inventors: Guillaume De Souza, Jacky Pouessel, Bastien Dautriche, Melanie Chtchigrovsky, Sebastien Meiries
  • Patent number: 9850129
    Abstract: A solvent extraction process for recovering bromide from a sulfate-containing aqueous stream, the process comprises an extraction step wherein said aqueous stream is mixed with an extraction medium comprising a tertiary amine extractant dissolved in one or more water-immiscible organic solvents, wherein said mixing is carried out in a strongly acidic environment, thereby forming bromide-containing extract and a raffinate with a reduced bromide level, wherein the bromide-containing extract is optionally treated to further minimize the presence of sulfate and is subsequently combined with an aqueous calcium source to form calcium bromide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bromine Compounds Ltd.
    Inventors: Sarit Sarmili, Gideon Friedman, Eyal Barnea, David Fuks, Mira Bergstein Freiberg
  • Patent number: 9725787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a lithium-containing solution from a lithium-containing raw-material solution, by: a) precipitating a first part of magnesium and calcium from the lithium-containing raw-material solution, b) extracting a second part of calcium and magnesium from the lithium-containing solution by liquid-liquid extraction, a resultant product being a lithium-containing solution. The invention also relates to equipment for producing a lithium-containing solution from a lithium-containing raw-material solution, including a precipitation unit to remove a first part of magnesium and calcium and an extraction unit to receive the lithium-containing raw-material solution and to remove therefrom a second part of calcium and magnesium by liquid-liquid extraction, and control unit to control the operation of the precipitation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec (Finland) Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Laitala, Janne Karonen, Liisa Haavanlammi
  • Patent number: 8968698
    Abstract: Provided herein are processes for recovering molybdenum and/or other value metals (e.g., uranium) present in aqueous solutions from a large range of concentrations: from ppm to grams per liter via a solvent extraction process by extracting the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the aqueous solution by contacting it with an organic phase solution containing a phosphinic acid, stripping the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the organic phase solution by contacting it with an aqueous phase strip solution containing an inorganic compound and having a ?1.0 M concentration of free ammonia, and recovering the molybdenum and/or other value metal by separating it from the aqueous phase strip solution. When the molybdenum and/or other value metal are present only in low concentration, the processes can include an organic phase recycle step and/or an aqueous phase strip recycle step in order to concentrate the metal prior to recover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Troy Allan Bednarski, Violina Antoneta Cocalia, Matthew Dean Soderstrom, Eduardo Alberto Kamenetzky, Andrew Michael Cameron, Douglas Harris
  • Patent number: 8894865
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Patent number: 8828338
    Abstract: A material with cationic exchanger properties is introduced into aqueous media, where the equilibriums of carbon dioxide dissolution take place. A cationic exchanger material x/nM+nEx? is used to capture hydronium cations (H3O+) according to: x/nM+nEx?(s)+xH3O+(aq)=xH3O+Ex?(s)+x/nM+n(aq) where “x” stands for molar amount of the anionic centers of charge of the cationic exchanger material Ex? balanced by x/n molar amount of metal M, “n” stands for the metal valence, and M is selected from the group consisting of 1A and/or 2A of the periodic table of elements. This capture of the hydronium cations, H3O+, shifts certain reaction equilibriums to the right, according to Le Chatelier's principle, producing more bicarbonate, HCO3?, and/or carbonate, CO3=, than would otherwise be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Silica de Panama S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Lujano, Javier Revete, Norma Valencia, Luis Rivas, Nelson Socorro
  • Publication number: 20140127095
    Abstract: Provided herein are processes for recovering molybdenum and/or other value metals (e.g., uranium) present in aqueous solutions from a large range of concentrations: from ppm to grams per liter via a solvent extraction process by extracting the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the aqueous solution by contacting it with an organic phase solution containing a phosphinic acid, stripping the molybdenum and/or other value metal from the organic phase solution by contacting it with an aqueous phase strip solution containing an inorganic compound and having a ?1.0 M concentration of free ammonia, and recovering the molybdenum and/or other value metal by separating it from the aqueous phase strip solution. When the molybdenum and/or other value metal are present only in low concentration, the processes can include an organic phase recycle step and/or an aqueous phase strip recycle step in order to concentrate the metal prior to recover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Troy Allan Bednarski, Violina Antoneta Cocalia, Matthew Dean Soderstrom, Eduardo Alberto Kamenetzky, Andrew Michael Cameron, Douglas HARRIS
  • Patent number: 8603428
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing calcium carbonate containing the steps of extraction of alkaline industrial waste or by-products using as a first extraction solvent an aqueous solution of a salt formed from a weak acid and a weak base, whereby a vanadium-enriched first residue is allowed to settle and a calcium-rich first filtrate is formed, filtration, whereby the first filtrate is separated from the first residue, carbonation of the calcium-rich first filtrate using a carbonation gas, whereby calcium carbonate precipitates and a second filtrate is formed, and a second filtration, whereby the calcium carbonate is separated from the second filtrate. Further, the present invention concerns a method for extracting calcium carbonate and vanadium from alkaline industrial waste or by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Aalto University Foundation, Abo Akademi, Rautaruukki Oyj
    Inventors: Sebastian Teir, Sanni Eloneva, Hannu Revitzer, Ron Zevenhoven, Justin Salminen, Carl-Johan Fogelholm, Esko Poylio
  • Patent number: 8507284
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and rapid methods for extracting strontium ions from urine to provide a concentrated and purified strontium-90 extract suitable for scintillation measurements. The methods remove organic compounds, pigments, and alkali metal ions that can interfere with quantitative determination of strontium-90 in urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Kaminski, Carol J. Mertz, Ilya A. Shkrob, Mark L. Dietz, Cory A. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20130017613
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and rapid methods for extracting strontium ions from urine to provide a concentrated and purified strontium-90 extract suitable for scintillation measurements. The methods remove organic compounds, pigments, and alkali metal ions that can interfere with quantitative determination of strontium-90 in urine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. KAMINSKI, Carol J. MERTZ, Ilya A. SHKROB, Mark L. DIETZ, Cory A. HAWKINS
  • Patent number: 8343446
    Abstract: The oxine ligands 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquiniline and 5-sulfoxyl-8-hydroxyquinoline are covalently bound, using, for example, the Mannich reaction, to a silica gel polyamine composite made from a silanized amorphous silica xerogel and polyallylamine. The resulting modified composites, termed CB-1 (X?Cl) and SB-1 (X?SO3H), respectively, show a clear selectivity for trivalent over divalent ions and selectivity for gallium over aluminum. The compounds of the invention can be applied for the sequestration of metals, such as heavy metals, from contaminated mine tailing leachates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Edward Rosenberg, Paul Miranda, Yuen Onn Wong
  • Patent number: 8313653
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Midamerican Energy Holdings Company
    Inventors: John L. Featherstone, George Furmanski
  • Publication number: 20120134902
    Abstract: A method and system of fixing carbon dioxide is provided. After metal ion components are extracted from, e.g., natural mineral or steel slag through acid treatment, carbon dioxide is injected to fix carbon dioxide by carbonating the same. Since the procedure of pH adjustment is unnecessary, the reaction is carried out effectively and a continuous process is enabled. Accordingly, the disclosed method of fixing carbon dioxide enables effective removal of carbon dioxide produced from the steelmaking industry, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emission and allowing recycling of the discarded steel slag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung Yeup Chung, Ki Chun Lee, Min Ho Cho, Seok Gyu Sonh, Dong Cheol Park
  • Patent number: 7927566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment of high-level waste of radiochemical production containing radionuclides and macro-admixtures including sodium. The method of extraction of radionuclides by processing acidic aqueous waste solutions by extractants containing macrocyclic compounds selected from the group of crown ethers having aromatic fragments containing alkyl and/or hydroxyalkyl substituents of a linear and/or branched structure, and/or cyclohexane fragments containing alkyl and/or hydroxyalkyl substituents of a linear and/or branched structure, and/or fragments of —O—CHR—CH2O—, where R is the normal or branched alkyl or hydroxyalkyl in organic solvents containing polyfluorinated telomeric alcohol 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol-1 having the formula H(CF2CF2)nCH2OH, where n=3, and a mixture of polyoxyethylene glycol ethers of synthetic primary higher aliphatic alcohols of a fraction C12-C14 of a general formula CnH2n+1O(C2H4O)mH, where n=12-14, m=2 is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Designing-Contructing and Industrial-Inculcating Enterprise “Daymos Ltd.”, Federal State Institute “Federal Agency for Legal Protection of Military Special and Dual Use, Intellectual Activity Results” under Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation (FSI “FALPIAR”)
    Inventors: Jury Vasilievich Glagolenko, Mikhail Vasilievich Logunov, Igor Vitalievich Mamakin, Vladimir Mikhailovich Polosin, Sergey Ivanovich Rovny, Vadim Alexandrovich Starchenko, Jury Pavlovich Shishelov, Nikolay Gennadievich Yakovlev
  • Patent number: 7648687
    Abstract: Purification techniques have been developed for ceramic powder precursors, e.g., barium nitrate. These techniques can be performed using one or more of the following operations: (1) removal of impurities by precipitation or coprecipitation and separation using a nonmetallic-ion-containing strong base, e.g., tetraalkylammonium hydroxides; (2) reduction of higher oxidation-state-number oxymetal ions and subsequent precipitation as hydroxides that are separated from the solution; and (3) use of liquid-liquid exchange extraction procedures to separate certain impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: EEStor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Weir, Carl W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7553474
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a method for producing stable alkaline metal oxide sols having a uniform particle size distribution. The method comprises the steps of: heating a metal compound at a temperature of 60° C. to 110° C. in an aqueous medium that contains a carbonate of quaternary ammonium; and carrying out hydrothermal processing at a temperature of 110° C. to 250° C. The carbonate of quaternary ammonium is (NR4)2CO3 or NR4HCO3 in which R represents a hydrocarbon group, or a mixture thereof. The metal compound is one, or two or more metal compounds selected from a group of compounds based on a metal having a valence that is bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ohmori, Hirokazu Kato, Yoshinari Koyama, Kenji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7553461
    Abstract: A separation medium, a method for using that separation medium and an apparatus for selectively extracting multivalent cations such as pseudo-lanthanide, prelanthanide, lanthanide, preactinide or actinide cations from an aqueous acidic sample solution is described. The separation medium is preferably free-flowing and comprises particles having a diglycolamide (DGA) extractant dispersed onto an inert, porous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: PG Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Philip Horwitz, Richard E. Barrans, Jr., Andrew H. Bond
  • Patent number: 7517508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating and purifying Yttrium-90 (Y-90) from Strontium-90 (Sr-90). In addition, a zirconium (Zr) clean-up step for the Y-90 is provided. Uses of the Y-90 purified by the method include cancer research and treatment. Y-90 is particularly useful in cell directed therapy, e.g., where the Y-90 is attached directly or indirectly to a targeting molecule such as an antibody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: IsoRay Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Lane Allan Bray
  • Patent number: 7494630
    Abstract: A new method to strip metals from organic solvents in a manner that allows for the recycle of the stripping agent. The method utilizes carbonate solutions of organic amines with complexants, in low concentrations, to strip metals from organic solvents. The method allows for the distillation and reuse of organic amines. The concentrated metal/complexant fraction from distillation is more amenable to immobilization than solutions resulting from current practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Terry A. Todd, Jack D. Law, R. Scott Herbst, Valeriy N. Romanovskiy, Igor V. Smirnov, Vasily A. Babain, Vyatcheslav M. Esimantovski
  • Publication number: 20090016944
    Abstract: This invention provides a means to produce on site Hydrogen to power fuel cells or Hydrogen engines storing the energy in Calcium metal. It continues by using the Calcium hydroxide byproduct of Calcium generated Hydrogen reaction to capture Carbon dioxide from exhaust situations, both moving and stationary as trucks and power plants. This reaction goes to completion with the sedimentation of Calcium carbonate, which may be useful to the cement industry as a component of their products, or it could be used to capture sulfates in stack gas. Either Calcium carbonate or Calcium sulfate may be electrolyzed to recover metallic Calcium, which is not readily available on the market at this time. Solar power, water wheels, resistive gym apparatus, wind power generation of electrical energy as well as unused power from power plants can electrolyze water into Hydrogen and Oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Air Wars Defense LP
    Inventor: Denyse Claire DuBrucq
  • Patent number: 7452520
    Abstract: A process for the production of calcium bromide from feed brines, particularly from Dead Sea End Brine (EB), is described. The process comprises extracting the feed brine in countercurrent with a composite organic solvent; optionally, purifying the extract to increase the ratio Br:Cl by contacting it with a part of the product; and washing the purified extract with water to yield the product, that is an aqueous solution of CaBr2. The composite solvent comprises an anionic extractant, such as an amine or a mixture of amines; a cationic extractant, such as a carboxylic phosphoric or sulphonic acid or a mixtures of said acids; and diluent/modifier, which is an organic solvent. An apparatus for the production of calcium bromide is also described, which comprises: an extraction battery; optionally, a purification battery; and a washing battery, wherein at least one of the batteries comprises a plurality of stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Bromine Compounds Limited
    Inventors: Baruch Grinbaum, Leni Kogan, Eli Barnea, Gideon Harel, Rafael Semiat, Samuel Wahrmann
  • Patent number: 7291316
    Abstract: A mixed extractant solvent including calix[4]arene-bis-(tert-octylbenzo)-crown-6 (“BOBCalixC6”), 4?,4?,(5?)-di-(t-butyldicyclo-hexano)-18-crown-6 (“DtBu18C6”), and at least one modifier dissolved in a diluent. The mixed extractant solvent may be used to remove cesium and strontium from an acidic solution. The DtBu18C6 may be present from approximately 0.01 M to approximately 0.4M, such as from approximately 0.086 M to approximately 0.108 M. The modifier may be 1-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)-3-(4-sec-butylphenoxy)-2-propanol (“Cs-7SB”) and may be present from approximately 0.01M to approximately 0.8M. In one embodiment, the mixed extractant solvent includes approximately 0.15M DtBu18C6, approximately 0.007M BOBCalixC6, and approximately 0.75M Cs-7SB modifier dissolved in an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon diluent. The mixed extractant solvent may form an organic phase in an extraction system that also includes an aqueous phase. Methods of extracting cesium and strontium as well as strontium alone are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Terry A. Todd, Catherine L. Riddle, Jack D. Law, Dean R. Peterman, Bruce J. Mincher, Christopher A. McGrath, John D. Baker
  • Patent number: 7182930
    Abstract: A method of fabricating barium titanate powders uses titanium tetrachloride and barium hydroxide as reactants in a reaction solution. The pH value of the reaction solution is adjusted to strongly alkaline range by adding potassium hydroxide. Nitrogen is charged into a reaction tank at normal pressure, and the reaction solution is heated at 80–102°. The solution is intensively stirred at constant temperature, and then subjected to a hydro-thermal reflux. Then, the solution is treated through an ion exchange resin and dried to obtain a cubic BaTiO3 powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ming-Tseh Tsay, Zong-Whie Shih, Pao-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 7157022
    Abstract: A separation medium, a method for using that separation medium and an apparatus for selectively extracting multivalent cations such as pseudo-lanthanide, prelanthanide, lanthanide, preactinide or actinide cations from an aqueous acidic sample solution is described. The separation medium is preferably free-flowing and comprises particles having a diglycolamide (DGA) extractant dispersed onto an inert, porous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: .PG Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Philip Horwitz, Richard E. Barrans, Jr., Andrew H. Bond
  • Patent number: 7122164
    Abstract: Niobate-based octahedral molecular sieves having significant activity for multivalent cations and a method for synthesizing such sieves are disclosed. The sieves have a net negatively charged octahedral framework, comprising niobium, oxygen, and octahedrally coordinated lower valence transition metals. The framework can be charge balanced by the occluded alkali cation from the synthesis method. The alkali cation can be exchanged for other contaminant metal ions. The ion-exchanged niobate-based octahedral molecular sieve can be backexchanged in acidic solutions to yield a solution concentrated in the contaminant metal. Alternatively, the ion-exchanged niobate-based octahedral molecular sieve can be thermally converted to a durable perovskite phase waste form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tina M. Nenoff, May D. Nyman
  • Patent number: 7101484
    Abstract: A process for purifying a stock Sr-90 solution containing stable and radioactive impurities, holding the purified Sr-90 solution for Y-90 ingrowth, and subsequently extracting the Y-90 from the Sr-90/Y-90 solution. The stock solution is sequentially passed through two thermoxide-type sorbents (T-3 and T-5), which hold the impurities while passing the Sr-90 solution. After ingrowth of Y-90, the Sr-90/Y-90 solution is passed through sorbent T-3, which preferentially sorbs the Y-90 while passing the Sr-90 solution. The Y-90 is then eluted from the T-3 sorbent. The T-3 and T-5 sorbents are specially prepared compounds of zirconium dioxide and titanium dioxide, respectively, that preferentially sorb Y-90 under predetermined conditions of solution pH and NaCl concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: TC International Inc
    Inventors: Nikolai D. Betenekov, Leonid M. Sharygin, Roy W. Brown
  • Patent number: 7041262
    Abstract: A method for separating metal ions, which comprises adding a selective capturing agent to an aqueous solution containing plural types of metal ions, said selective capturing agent being a cyclic compound and forming a complex with metal ions having ion radii suitable for the size of the ring alone, so that unnecessary metal ions are held by the selective capturing agent in the aqueous solution, and bringing said aqueous solution into contact with an ion exchange solid phase so as to transport desired metal ions alone to the solid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials
    Inventors: Yu Komatsu, Shigekazu Tsurubou
  • Publication number: 20040081604
    Abstract: A process in which isotopes of the same element belonging to the alkaline earth metals, transition elements and heavy metals having an atomic mass of less than 209, in particular lanthanide metals, are separated in an aqueous medium by treating an aqueous medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Marc Lemaire, Jacques Foos, Alain Guy, Frederic Chitry, Stephane Pellet-Rostaing, Olivier Vigneau
  • Patent number: 6709642
    Abstract: The invention concerns derivatives of calixarene having the formula: in which: R1 represents various hydrocarbon groups, R2 and R3 represent an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group or a group having the formula: O(CH2)n[O(CH2)p]q OR4, or form a heterocyclic group with the nitrogen atom, and, n equals 6, 7 or 8. These derivatives can be used for extracting strontium from aqueous solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomiguie
    Inventors: Jean-François Dozol, Rocco Ungaro, Alessandro Casnati
  • Patent number: 6692709
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of metals from an aqueous solution of metals in the form of their metal ions. The preparation and use of an efficient organic extractant and also the recovery from the organic extractant of the metal ions. A process for preparing an extractant solution where the extractant solution is a solution of a calcium ion or magnesium ion loaded extractant in a water-immiscible organic solvent, and where the extractant solution is suitable for extracting metal ions from an aqueous solution containing the metal ions, including mixing an aqueous solution of calcium ions or magnesium ions with a basic calcium salt or a basic magnesium salt and with a solution of an organic extractant in a water-immiscible organic solvent to form the extractant solution, and then separating the extractant solution from the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Canopean Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David Gregory Nakon
  • Patent number: 6511603
    Abstract: An extractant medium for extracting alkaline earth cations from an aqueous acidic sample solution is described as are a method and apparatus for using the same. The separation medium is free of diluent, free-flowing and particulate, and comprises a Crown ether that is a 4,4′(5′)[C4-C8-alkylcyclohexano]18-Crown-6 dispersed on an inert substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Arch Development Corp.
    Inventors: Mark Dietz, E. Philip Horwitz
  • Publication number: 20020070171
    Abstract: A method for separating metal ions, which comprises adding a selective capturing agent to an aqueous solution containing plural types of metal ions, said selective capturing agent being a cyclic compound and forming a complex with metal ions having ion radii suitable for the size of the ring alone, so that unnecessary metal ions are held by the selective capturing agent in the aqueous solution, and bringing said aqueous solution into contact with an ion exchange solid phase so as to transport desired metal ions alone to the solid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials
    Inventors: Yu Komatsu, Shigekazu Tsurubou
  • Patent number: 6270737
    Abstract: Cesium and strontium are extracted from aqueous acidic radioactive waste containing rare earth elements, technetium and actinides, by contacting the waste with a composition of a complex organoboron compound and polyethylene glycol in an organofluorine diluent mixture. In a preferred embodiment the complex organoboron compound is chlorinated cobalt dicarbollide, the polyethylene glycol has the formula RC6H4(OCH2CH2)nOH, and the organofluorine diluent is a mixture of bis-tetrafluoropropyl ether of diethylene glycol with at least one of bis-tetrafluoropropyl ether of ethylene glycol and bis-tetrafluoropropyl formal. The rare earths, technetium and the actinides (especially uranium, plutonium and americium), are extracted from the aqueous phase using a phosphine oxide in a hydrocarbon diluent, and reextracted from the resulting organic phase into an aqueous phase by using a suitable strip reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Boris N. Zaitsev, Vyacheslav M. Esimantovskiy, Leonard N. Lazarev, Evgeniy G. Dzekun, Valeriy N. Romanovskiy, Terry A. Todd, Ken N. Brewer, Ronald S. Herbst, Jack D. Law
  • Patent number: 6267936
    Abstract: Solvent extraction of one or more metal ions from an aqueous solution in the presence of hydrocarbon-soluble aminomethylenephosphonic acid derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignees: BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Instituto National de Engenharia e Tecnologia
    Inventors: Francisco Delmas, Carlos Nogueira, Michael Ehle, Knut Oppenländer
  • Patent number: 6214301
    Abstract: Hafnium is recovered from irradiated tantalum by: (a) contacting the irradiated tantalum with at least one acid to obtain a solution of dissolved tantalum; (b) combining an aqueous solution of a calcium compound with the solution of dissolved tantalum to obtain a third combined solution; (c) precipitating hafnium, lanthanide, and insoluble calcium complexes from the third combined solution to obtain a first precipitate; (d) contacting the first precipitate of hafnium, lanthanide and calcium complexes with at least one fluoride ion complexing agent to form a fourth solution; (e) selectively adsorbing lanthanides and calcium from the fourth solution by cationic exchange; (f) separating fluoride ion complexing agent product from hafnium in the fourth solution by adding an aqueous solution of ferric chloride to obtain a second precipitate containing the hafnium and iron; (g) dissolving the second precipitate containing the hafnium and iron in acid to obtain an acid solution of hafnium and iron; (h) selectively ad
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wayne A. Taylor, David J. Jamriska
  • Patent number: 6054105
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of nickel and/or cobalt values from a solution comprises the steps of effecting a cobalt solvent extraction in the presence of magnesium ions with a cobalt extractant to produce a cobalt extractant loaded with cobalt ions and a first raffinate containing nickel and magnesium ions in solution. The first raffinate is subjected to magnesium solvent extraction with a magnesium extractant to produce a magnesium extractant loaded with magnesium and cobalt ions and a second raffinate. The second raffinate is subjected to nickel solvent extraction with a nickel extractant to produce a nickel loaded extractant and a third raffinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Cominco Engineering Services Ltd.
    Inventor: David L. Jones
  • Patent number: 5939038
    Abstract: Boron is effectively removed from brine, including lithium-containing brines, by acidifying the brine to a pH of 0.1 to 6.0 and then contacting the brine with an extraction medium comprising at least a diol having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in an aromatic solvent. The extraction medium may also contain high aliphatic alcohols and/or a phase modifier. The boron can be stripped from the boron rich extractant medium by a re-extraction stage utilizing an aqueous alkaline solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Sociedad Minera Salar de Atacama S.A.
    Inventor: Igor Wilkomirsky
  • Patent number: 5925284
    Abstract: Applicants have developed a unique process for preparing a shaped article comprising an ion exchange composition and a hydroxy oxide binder. The ion exchange compositions include metallotitanates, metallogermanates, pillared clays and metal phosphonates. The process involves combining the ion exchange composition with a binder precursor and water, forming the mixture into a shaped article and heating the article at a temperature of about 85.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. These shaped articles are useful for removing metal ions such as cesium from feed streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventors: John D. Sherman, Richard R. Willis, Robert L. Bedard, Albert S. Behan, Philip Connolly
  • Patent number: 5851500
    Abstract: Magnesium fluoride slag contaminated with metallic uranium or uranium compounds is treated by digestion with potassium hydroxide to soluble potassium fluoride and insoluble magnesium hydroxide. The solid and liquid phases are then separated and the solids phase is dissolved in acid to form a solution of metal salts. The liquid phase is treated with lime to precipitate calcium fluoride and convert the potassium back to potassium hydroxide for recycle to the digestion reaction. The metal salts are separated to remove the uranium salt from the magnesium salt. The result is an efficient removal of uranium contamination from the magnesium, the recovery of magnesium in a manner that permits efficient reuse or safe disposal, and the production of calcium fluoride useful for a variety of purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: United States Enrichment Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Pashley
  • Patent number: 5810020
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for denitrifying tobacco materials and removing barium from tobacco materials, comprising mixing an aqueous-immiscible organic solvent containing a crown ether with an aqueous solution containing soluble components from tobacco materials, agitating this mixture, and separating the organic phase containing a crown ether-cation-nitrate (or nitrite) complex from the aqueous phase containing the denitrified tobacco materials, wherein the cation consists essentially of barium and potassium. There is further disclosed a process for eliminating tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) from cured, denitrified tobacco material, comprising contacting the denitrified tobacco material with a trapping sink, wherein the trapping sink comprises a select transition metal complex which is readily nitrosated to form a nitrosyl complex with little kinetic or thermodynamic hindrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Osmotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Northway, Robert Salter
  • Patent number: 5698169
    Abstract: Methods and agents for extracting cesium and strontium ions from aqueous solutions, including aqueous fission product waste solutions, are disclosed using substituted metal dicarbollide and/or dicarbaextranide ions containing one or more chemical groups that increase solubility of the substituted metal dicarbollide or dicarbaextranide ions in non-nitrated, non-chlorinated solvents, or using metal dicarbollide or dicarbaextranide ion-substituted silicones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Coremetals Research, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Frederick Hawthorne, Gary B. Dunks
  • Patent number: 5678242
    Abstract: Thermodynamically-unstable complexing agents which are diphosphonic acids and diphosphonic acid derivatives (or sulphur containing analogs), like carboxyhydroxymethanediphosphonic acid and vinylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, are capable of complexing with metal ions, and especially metal ions in the II, III, IV, V and VI oxidation states, to form stable, water-soluble metal ion complexes in moderately alkaline to highly-acidic media. However, the complexing agents can be decomposed, under mild conditions, into non-organic compounds which, for many purposes are environmentally-nondamaging compounds thereby degrading the complex and releasing the metal ion for disposal or recovery. Uses for such complexing agents as well as methods for their manufacture are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Arch Development Corporation
    Inventors: Earl Philip Horwitz, Ralph Carl Gatrone, Kenneth LaVerne Nash
  • Patent number: 5666641
    Abstract: Preparation and use of polymeric materials containing hydrophobic anions and plasticizers for extraction of cesium and strontium. The use of polymeric materials containing plasticizers which are solvents for hydrophobic anions such as derivatives of cobalt dicarbollide or tetraphenylborate which are capable of extracting cesium and strontium ions from aqueous solutions in contact with the polymeric materials, is described. The polymeric material may also include a synergistic agent for a given ion like polyethylene glycol or a crown ether, for removal of radioactive isotopes of cesium and strontium from solutions of diverse composition and, in particular, for solutions containing large excess of sodium nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventors: Kent D. Abney, Scott A. Kinkead, Caroline F. V. Mason, Jiri Rais
  • Patent number: 5666642
    Abstract: Methods and agents for extracting cesium and strontium ions from aqueous solutions, including aqueous fission product waste solutions, are disclosed using substituted metal dicarbollide ions containing one or more chemical groups that increase solubility of the substituted metal dicarbollide ion in non-nitrated, non-chlorinated solvents, or using metal dicarbollide ion-substituted silicones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Coremetals Research, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Frederick Hawthorne, Gary B. Dunks
  • Patent number: 5603074
    Abstract: Preparation and use of tetra-C-alkyl cobalt dicarbollide for extraction of cesium and strontium into hydrocarbon solvents. Tetra-C-alkyl derivatives of cobalt dicarbollide, Co(C.sub.2 R.sub.2 B.sub.9 H.sub.9).sub.2.sup.- (CoB.sub.2 R.sub.4.sup.- ; R=CH.sub.3 and C.sub.6 H.sub.13) are demonstrated to be significant cesium and strontium extractants from acidic and alkaline solutions into non-toxic organic solvent systems. Extractions using mesitylene and diethylbenzene are compared to those with nitrobenzene as the organic phase. CoB.sub.2 -hexyl.sub.4.sup.- in diethylbenzene shows improved selectivity (10.sup.4) for Cs over Na in acidic solution. In dilute alkaline solution, CoB.sub.2 -hexyl.sub.4.sup.- extracts Cs less efficiently, but more effectively removes Sr from higher base concentrations. A general synthesis of tetra-C-alkyl cobalt dicarbollides is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Rebecca L. Miller, Anthony B. Pinkerton, Kent D. Abney, Scott A. Kinkead
  • Patent number: 5589071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anion-exchange membrane extractor for boric acid separation, which is capable of separating boric acid from the radioactive liquid waste concentrated by evaporation of the radioactive liquid waste produced in the pressurized light water reactor and a method of separating boric acid from the radioactive liquid waste employing the extractor. The onion-exchange membrane extractor for boric acid separation which comprises: an upper cell being equipped with an inlet, an outlet, and fluid-injecting holes; a concentrate cell, an extract cell and a lower cell, each of which is equipped with an inlet, an outlet, fluid-injecting holes, and a supporting shelf on the upper layer; a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kun-Jai Lee, Jong-Kil Park
  • Patent number: 5585080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering iron chloride, aluminum chloride and calcium chloride from silicon and ferrosilicon or from residues which contain silicon and/or ferrosilicon and metal chlorides and optionally copper and/or copper compounds, which materials are leached with HCl or HCl+FeCl.sub.3 /FeCl.sub.2 solutions, whereafter the solid silicon or ferrosilicon residue is removed from the leach solution and where any copper is removed from the leach solution. Fe.sup.2+ in the leach solution is oxidized to Fe.sup.3+ whereafter the leach solution is subjected to a liquid-liquid extraction by means of an organic phase containing n-tributyl phosphate dissolved in a hydrocarbon solvent in order to extract FeCl.sub.3 and at least a part of CaCl.sub.2 from the leach solution, stripping FeCl.sub.3 and any CaCl.sub.2 from the organic phase by water, concentrating the remaining solution by evaporation and adding HCl gas to the solution in order to selectively precipitate AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Elkem a/s
    Inventors: Einar Andersen, Bruno Ceccaroli, Roald Gundersen
  • Patent number: 5500193
    Abstract: This invention relates to the extraction of carbonates of magnesium and/or calcium with a strong hydrogen form cation-exchange resin from a phosphate rock composition in an aqueous slurry, wherein the phosphate rock and the resins have been classified to different non-overlapping particle sizes and separating the slurry into the leached composition and the loaded ion exchange resin; and recovering the calcium and magnesium, and regenerating the ion exchange resin for further use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Robert F. Benson, Dean F. Martin
  • Patent number: RE36118
    Abstract: A method for the recovery of a metal from an organic complex thereof, said method comprising treating the complex with a weakly acid aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chloride having a chloride content of at least 4 molar whereby said complex is decomposed and metal ions are transferred to the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Domenico C. Cupertino, Peter A. Tasker
  • Patent number: RE36990
    Abstract: A method for the recovery of a metal from an organic complex thereof, said method comprising treating the complex with a weakly acid aqueous solution of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or ammonium chloride having a chloride content of at least 4 molar whereby said complex is decomposed and metal ions are transferred to the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Domenico C. Cupertino, Peter A. Tasker