Ion Exchanging Or Liquid-liquid Extracting Patents (Class 423/24)
  • Patent number: 4507268
    Abstract: Reagents formulated by admixture of selected hydroxy aryl ketoxime and hydroxyl aryl aldoxime extractants provide for efficient recovery of metal values, especially copper values, by solvent extraction processes. Specified kinetic and equilibrium conditions, which would require use of predetermined quantities of kinetic additives if ketoximes alone were employed or predetermined quantities of equilibrium modifiers if aldoximes were employed, are secured through formulation of reagents including both ketoxime and aldoxime extractants with less than the predetermined quantities of kinetic additive or equilibrium modifier. Reagents employed in methods of the invention may include from 0 to about 20 mole percent of a kinetic additive based on ketoxime content and also optionally a modifier of extraction and stripping equilibria in an amount providing a degree of modification of the aldoxime constituent of from about 0.75 to 1.0 and preferably from about 0.90 to 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Kordosky, Kenneth D. Mackay, R. Brantley Sudderth, Joseph M. Sierakoski
  • Patent number: 4503016
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for liquid/liquid-extraction of heavy metal ions from acid aqueous solutions with the aid of water-insoluble dithiophosphoric acid diesters as extracting agents. More particularly, use is made of phosphoric acid solutions with a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 -content of from 3 to 80 weight %, the solutions being free from emulsion-forming organic contaminants or having previously been freed therefrom in known manner. The resulting aqueous phase is separated from the phase containing the dithiophosphoric acid diester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: G/u/ nther Schimmel, Werner Krause, Reinhard Gradl
  • Patent number: 4503015
    Abstract: A copper electrowinning electrolyte containing arsenic is extracted to remove arsenic therefrom utilizing trioctylphosphinicoxide as an extracting agent in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Vereinigte Metallwerke Ranshofen-Berndorf AG
    Inventors: Rolf Marr, Hans-J/o/ rg Bart, Reinhard Wachter
  • Patent number: 4500494
    Abstract: Novel polyurea and urea-formaldehyde microcapsules are disclosed which enclose a chelsating agent selected from .beta.-diketones, 8-hydroxyquinolines and their thiol analogs, and oximes. The microcapsules are capable of removing metal ions from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Stauffer Chemical Company
    Inventor: Herbert B. Scher
  • Patent number: 4500498
    Abstract: Anhydrous zinc chloride is produced from an aqueous feed solution containing zinc chloride from an aqueous feed solution containing zinc chloride. The zinc chloride is extracted onto an organic extractant known to the art such as tributyl phosphate, primary, secondary or tertiary amines, and quaternary amine salts. The loaded extractant is then stripped with aqueous stripping solution containing ammonium chloride and ammonium hydroxide. The zinc ammine chloride formed in this aqueous stripping solution is separated from the stripping solution and can then be heated to form anhydrous zinc chloride and ammonia. This anhydrous zinc chloride is suitable as a feed material to a fused salt electrolysis process for the production of zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Cato Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Kruesi, William H. Kruesi
  • Patent number: 4500396
    Abstract: A method is described for metal recovery from basic ammoniated metal solutions by means of a weakly-acidic cation-exchange material comprising a polymeric felt incorporating radiation-grafted monomers comprising carboxylic acid functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventors: Vincent F. D'Agostino, Joseph Y. Lee, Stephen Zapisek, George Schore
  • Patent number: 4499057
    Abstract: The invention relates to new industrial products of the general formula ##STR1## a process for the manufacture of these products and their application as extraction agents in hydrometallurgy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Michel Burgard, Marc D. Piteau, Alain J. Rollat, Jean-Pierre G. Senet
  • Patent number: 4487738
    Abstract: A method of producing carrier-free .sup.67 Cu by proton spallation combined with subsequent chemical separation and purification is disclosed. A target consisting essentially of pressed zinc oxide is irradiated with a high energy, high current proton beam to produce a variety of spallogenic nuclides, including .sup.67 Cu and other copper isotopes. The irradiated target is dissolved in a concentrated acid solution to which a palladium salt is added. In accordance with the preferred method, the spallogenic copper is twice coprecipitated with palladium, once with metallic zinc as the precipitating agent and once with hydrogen sulfide as the precipitating agent. The palladium/copper precipitate is then dissolved in an acid solution and the copper is separated from the palladium by liquid chromatography on an anion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Harold A. O'Brien, Jr., John W. Barnes, Wayne A. Taylor, Kenneth E. Thomas, Glenn E. Bentley
  • Patent number: 4486391
    Abstract: A method for separating an ionic substance from a liquid medium, which comprises including a metal ion, a metal oxide ion, a metal complex ion, ammonium compounds, etc. dissolved or dispersed in the liquid medium by using a fluorine containing compound of the following formula[{Rf-(A).sub.a -Y}(X).sub.b ].sub.n (Z).sub.ccontaining a fluoroalkyl group (Rf) having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a group (Y) having affinity for the ionic substances. A composition for trapping ionic substances, comprising the aforesaid fluorine-containing compound as a main ingredient. The invention can be advantageously applied to the recovery of useful metals from ocean waters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignees: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc., Kawamura Institute of Chemical Research
    Inventor: Yutaka Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4482705
    Abstract: High molecular weight polyphenylene ethers are prepared from monohydric phenols by an oxidative coupling reaction with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst complex obtained from a copper salt and an organic amine by a method wherein the metal component of the catalyst is separated off, after the polymerization, by the addition of a polymeric polycarboxylic acid which is essentially composed of unsaturated monofunctional or difunctional carboxylic acids and/or their anhydrides.Advantageously, the polymeric polycarboxylic acids used are homopolymers or copolymers of (a) from 50 to 100% by weight of one or more unsaturated monofunctional acids of 3 to 10 carbon atoms and/or one or more difunctional acids or their anhydrides of 4 to 6 carbon atoms and from 0 to 50% by weight of one or more monomers which do not possess an acid function and can be copolymerized with (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Hambrecht, Rudi W. Reffert, Volker Muench, Adolf Echte, Johann Swoboda
  • Patent number: 4479922
    Abstract: We have discovered that by pretreating a thioether (R'--S--R) containing organic phase to be used as an extractant in a solvent extraction process for separating platinum group metals from base metals and/or each other in aqueous solution with a mild oxidant, e.g., cupric chloride, in an acidified aqueous phase, the tendency of stable emulsion formation during extraction can be substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: AT&T Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Haynes, Anna M. Jackson, Martin K. Zierold
  • Patent number: 4468303
    Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a process in which a particulate material containing water and having adsorbed thereon a solubilized gold compound is located in packed form in a fractionating column, a liquid containing a major proportion of water miscible organic liquid is boiled in an evaporator such that it enters the packed fractionating column as a vapor, said water miscible organic liquid being more volatile than water and being preferentially retained in the column.The present invention provides in another aspect a method of recovering gold from an aqueous solution, which comprises placing the gold containing aqueous solution in a cell comprising a gold, silver, aluminium or copper cathode and an inert electrode, subjecting the solution to electrolysis in the cell so as to deposit a gold foil on the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Norcim Investments Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Arnold F. Griffin, Michael C. Costello
  • Patent number: 4466948
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for removing heavy metal ions and arsenic from wet-processed phosphoric acid, wherein the crude wet-processed phosphoric acid is treated at temperatures between 10.degree. and 100.degree. C. initially with a diorganyldithiosphosphoric acid ester and then with an adsorbent, and the phoshoric acid so purified is separated from the ester and adsorbent. More particularly, the wet-processed phosphoric acid is treated with the diorganyldithiophosphoric acid ester at temperatures higher than 50.degree. C. and with the adsorbent at temperatures lower than 50.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellchaft
    Inventors: Gunther Schimmel, Reinhard Gradl, Gero Heymer
  • Patent number: 4457495
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic recovery of silver from argentiferous wash waters comprising an ion exchanger device, a regenerative device and a purification device for the ion exchanger device and a silver separator whereby the devices, the containers thereof, switch elements, pumps and connection lines are arranged in the apparatus such that the three following flow cycles are produced, which may be controlled and periodically switched by a computer.I. a flow cycle for separating the silver,II. a flow cycle for regenerating the ion exchanger column, andIII. a flow cycle for purifying the ion exchange column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Eder, Hans Hofmann, Joachim Kloeppel, Heinz Meckl, Josef Busch
  • Patent number: 4452768
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to process for removing heavy metal ions, especially cadmium, copper, lead and mercury ions from wet-processed phosphoric acid. To this end, the crude acid is contacted with a mixture consisting of an adsorbent and a diorganyldithiophosphoric acid ester or, after treatment with the ester, the acid is contacted with the adsorbent alone, and the purified phosphoric acid is ultimately separated from the ester and adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Gradl, Gunther Schimmel, Werner Krause, Gero Heymer
  • Patent number: 4444733
    Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process is provided for the recovery of molybdenum values from a molybdenum disulfide concentrate containing copper. The process comprises forming an aqueous slurry of finely divided molybdenum concentrate of carbonates and hydroxides of alkali metals, and pressure leaching the slurry in the presence of oxygen at an elevated temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to effect conversion of the contained molybdenum values to alkali metal molybdate and provide a residue containing copper oxide or basic copper carbonate from which copper is later recovered. The molybdenum values are recovered from solution by solvent extraction and the solvent thereafter stripped of the molybdenum as ammonium molybdenum using ammonium hydroxide. The molybdenum is recovered as crystals of ammonium molybdate by crystallization, e.g., by evaporating the stripping solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Amax Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Laferty, Dale K. Huggins, John D. Bruno
  • Patent number: 4435545
    Abstract: Novel organic polymers have a chain carrying active groups, a hydroxyl, alkoxy, halogen, thiol or sulphide group or a second active group being attached as a substituent to a carbon which is in the alpha position with respect to that carrying the first active group. The preparation of these polymers is advantageously effected using polymers carrying epoxide bridges, which are opened by the action of an active cosmetological or other active compound. These polymers are particularly suitable for the protection of the skin against solar radiation, as creams or gels for the skin and for the hair and/or as pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production)
    Inventors: Claude Favie, Michel Mercadier
  • Patent number: 4432951
    Abstract: Germanium is separated from an aqueous solution by means of a substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline extractant.Re-extraction of germanium from the extractant is carried out above 40.degree. C. and with an organic phase: aqueous phase volume ratio less than 1, whereby obtaining a high re-extraction yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Metallurgie Hoboken-Overpelt
    Inventors: Achille De Schepper, Marc Coussement, Antoine Van Peteghem
  • Patent number: 4433151
    Abstract: A novel polyether having the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each stand for hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms with the exception that R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 cannot stand for hydrogen at the same time, and m and n each represent an integer of 1 to 9. The polyether can capture cations when contacted with a cation-containing aqueous alkaline liquid and can release the cations to an aqueous acidic liquid, and thus serves as a cation carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Director-General of Agency of Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Hiratani
  • Patent number: 4414183
    Abstract: The phenolic chelate resin has a chelate-forming group wherein part or all of the hydrogen atoms in a primary and/or secondary alkylamino group introduced in a phenol nucleus are replaced by a methylenephosphonate group. Also disclosed is a process for producing such a chelate resin, and a method for recovering heavy metal ions with such a resin. The resin has particularly high selectivity for adsorbing uranium ions, as well as high heat, acid and alkali resistance as well as dimensional stability. The resin is very effective for recovering uranium from various uranium-containing solutions such as sea water, crude phosphoric acid fertilizer solutions, low-grade uranium ore, waste water from uranium refining, and uranium mine water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Unitika Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Sasaki, Yoshiaki Echigo
  • Patent number: 4406865
    Abstract: A modified liquid-liquid extraction system is disclosed in which a particulate solid and a liquid, both insoluble in a second liquid, are mixed to form agglomerate particles which efficiently extract metal ions from dilute solutions. The extraction is rapid and requires a much lower volume of extracting phase for good contacting than conventional liquid-liquid extraction. Mixing energy is low, clean-up of effluent water is easily accomplished and metal values are readily stripped from the agglomerates by well-known techniques, such as treatment by aqueous acid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Everett J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4401629
    Abstract: A polymeric ion exchange resin of the cross-linked type in which the active groups may be constituted either wholly or in part by an imidazole group which is, in turn, attached directly to a cross-linked, polymerized vinyl backbone. The optional substituents on the imidazole ring include optionally substituted pyridyl, imidazolyl or amino groups which can be substantially known type. A method of preparation of such resins includes the provision of at least the imidazole ring on the vinyl monomer before polymerization thereof. The active groups may be added or modified after polymerization with a cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: National Institute for Metallurgy
    Inventors: Robert D. Hancock, Brian R. Green
  • Patent number: 4392980
    Abstract: Crystalline transition metal aluminates conforming generally to the formulaMA.sub.a.sup.v Z.sub.b.sup.v.nAl(OH).sub.3.mH.sub.2 Owhere M is a transition metal having a valence charge of +2 selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, where AZ represents negative valence ions or radicals, v is a negative valence of 1, 2, or 3, n is a value to provide a mol ratio of Al/M of at least 1/1, preferably at least 1.5/1, and m is an integer of from zero to the maximum for waters of hydration, with (va)+(vb) equal to 2, are prepared in alkaline aqueous medium wherein transition metal compounds are caused to form adducts with amorphous hydrous alumina, Al(OH).sub.3, said adducts forming crystals when heated, said aluminates being useful, e.g., as ion exchangers and as spinel precursors among other things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Co.
    Inventors: John M. Lee, William C. Bauman
  • Patent number: 4390366
    Abstract: A process for sequentially and selectively separating gold and platinum group metals from aqueous solutions containing them is disclosed.First, ruthenium and osmium are oxidized to their tetroxides and then removed from the solution. Then, gold is removed by solvent extraction preferably with dibutyl carbitol. Next, palladium and platinum are removed by solvent extraction with an alkyl sulphide and tributyl phosphate respectively, care being taken to reduce iridium in solution before platinum extraction to prevent it extracting with the platinum. Then the iridium is reoxidized and removed from solution. Finally, rhodium is removed from the solution.Using this process gold, platinum and palladium of saleable purity can be extracted directly without the need for further refining steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Richard K. Lea, Julian D. Edwards, D. Frederick Colton
  • Patent number: 4383104
    Abstract: The phenolic chelate resin has a chelate-forming group wherein part or all of the hydrogen atoms in a primary and/or secondary alkylamino group introduced in a phenol nucleus are replaced by a methylenephosphonate group. Also disclosed is a process for producing such a chelate resin, and a method for recovering heavy metal ions with such a resin. The resin has particularly high selectivity for adsorbing uranium ions, as well as high heat, acid and alkali resistance as well as dimensional stability. The resin is very effective for recovering uranium from various uranium-containing solutions such as sea water, crude phosphoric acid fertilizer solutions, lowgrade uranium ore, waste water from uranium refining, and uranium mine water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Unitika Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Sasaki, Yoshiaki Echigo
  • Patent number: 4372830
    Abstract: A process is described involving gold in which gold cyanide ion (e.g., potassium gold cyanide) is removed from an aqueous solution (typically a water rinse solution) by absorption on an anion-exchange resin and the gold cyanide ion is then removed from the resin using an eluent solution comprising organic solvent, water and thiocyanate ion. This procedure is convenient and leads to virtually complete removal of gold from the resin. Because of the low volume of eluent solution required to remove the gold cyanide ion, the procedure can be used to efficiently produce crystalline potassium gold cyanide from highly dilute aqueous solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Henry H. Law
  • Patent number: 4371506
    Abstract: Elution of copper from chelating anion exchange resins wherein the first volumes of eluate obtained have very low copper contents. The elution is conducted in an elution cycle which is applied to successive loaded batches of resin. In each cycle the loaded resin is pre-treated with a low grade copper tertiary solution obtained as a process effluent from a preceding cycle. Copper from a tertiary solution becomes loaded onto the resin. The resin is then contacted with a secondary eluant, also obtained as an effluent from a preceding cycle. The first fraction of effluent is stored for use as the tertiary solution in the next cycle and the second fraction is recovered as concentrated eluate. The resin is then contacted with a primary eluant. The first fraction of effluent is recovered as concentrated eluate and the second fraction is stored for use as secondary eluant in the next cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Himsley Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Eduard Byleveld
  • Patent number: 4369164
    Abstract: A process for leaching copper and arsenic from copper dross containing copper arsenide and separated from molten lead bullion comprises leaching the dross with an aqueous ammoniacal solution containing arsenate as the predominant anion under oxidizing conditions to obtain a leachate, removing copper from the leachate to obtain a raffinate and re-cycling raffinate to the leaching stage, and removing a bleed of raffinate from the circuit and precipitating a substantially insoluble arsenic compound from the raffinate bleed to remove arsenic from the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignees: Metallurgical Process Limited, I.S.C. Smelting Limited
    Inventor: Hayden Monk
  • Patent number: 4351807
    Abstract: An extraction process is described for the selective separation of metal ions belonging to the group Cu and Co, in aqueous solution of Cu- and Co-ions, wherein there is used as the extraction medium one or more unsaturated fatty acids, optionally in solution and/or in admixture with saturated fatty acids and an aliphatic oxime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Stamicarbon, B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Tels, Jan P. Lotens, Hendrikus P. M. Kivits
  • Patent number: 4350667
    Abstract: Copper can be extracted from an ammoniacal copper solution by contacting said solution with an organic phase containing a first extraction reagent consisting of a beta-diketone as well as a second extraction reagent consisting of a hydroxy oxime, a hydroxy quinoline, or an alkylaryl sulphonamido quinoline. Alternatively, the copper solution can first be contacted with an organic phase containing the first extraction agent, and subsequently be contacted with an organic phase containing the second extraction reagent. It is possible to reach a low percentage of copper in the aqueous solution by using a low number of extraction steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: MX-Processor Reinhardt & Co AB
    Inventors: Sven O. S. Andersson, Harald D. Ottertun, Hans Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 4336231
    Abstract: A process for extracting metal values from aqueous solutions of metal salts which comprises the steps of contacting the aqueous solution with a solution in a water-immiscible organic solvent of one or more o-hydroxyaryloximes containing at least 3 aliphatic or alicyclic carbon atoms and which are strong metal extractants and one or more alkylphenols optionally containing one chlorine atom or one cyano group, separating from the aqueous phase the solvent phase containing metal in the form of a complex with the o-hydroxyaryloxime contacting the solvent phase with an aqueous mineral acid, and separating the solvent phase from the aqueous phase containing metal in the form of a salt with the mineral acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Limited
    Inventor: Raymond F. Dalton
  • Patent number: 4333846
    Abstract: Crystalline transition metal aluminates conforming generally to the formulaMA.sub.a.sup.v Z.sub.b.sup.v.nAl(OH).sub.3.mH.sub.2 Owhere M is a transition metal having a valence charge of +2 selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, where AZ represents negative valence ions or radicals, v is a negative valence of 1, 2, or 3, n is a value to provide a mol ratio of Al/M of at least 1/1, preferably at least 1.5/1, and m is an integer of from zero to the maximum for waters of hydration, with (va)+(vb) equal to 2, are prepared in alkaline aqueous medium wherein transition metal compounds are caused to form adducts with amorphous hydrous alumina, Al(OH).sub.3, said adducts forming crystals when heated, said aluminates being useful, e.g., as ion exchangers and as spinel precursors among other things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John M. Lee, William C. Bauman
  • Patent number: 4329210
    Abstract: A method of regenerating etchant and recovering etched metals. Etching solution, which is overladen with metal cations is passed through a cation exchange unit. Subsequently, the etching solution, which is diminished in metal cation concentration, is returned to the etcher sump. The cation exchange unit is then rinsed with deionized water to remove residual etching solution, with the effluent being conveyed to a metal recovery unit. The cation exchange unit is then rinsed with an aqueous solution of an acid to remove cations and to regenerate the cation exchange unit. The effluent from this rinsing is also conveyed to the metal recovery unit. The cation exchange unit is then rinsed with deionized water to remove residual acid, with this effluent likewise being conveyed to the metal recovery unit. Subsequently, a selectolyte solution is passed through the cation exchange unit to enhance the cation retention property thereof. The effluent is conveyed to a storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Robert W. Becker
    Inventors: Vijay Merchant, Stephen R. Henriksen, R. Wayne Boucher, Jerrold J. Dodd
  • Patent number: 4314976
    Abstract: A process is provided for purification of nickel sulfate via ammoniacal leaching and pH regulated solvent-extraction, while providing for regeneration of the extractant and the leach solution. The process is especially suited for hydrometallurgical extraction of high purity nickel sulfate from residue resulting in the regeneration of spent electrolyte in the electrorefining of secondary copper. According to the process, the starting material is leached in an ammonia solution of selected pH to solubilize the nickel as polyammine sulfate, followed by extracting the solubilized nickel by pH regulated solvent-extraction. The extractant is then stripped and regenerated with sulfuric acid by first scrubbing in a first pH range to remove ions that are more electropositive than nickel, then stripping with sulfuric acid in a second pH range to remove nickel ions, and then regenerating the extractant by stripping in a third pH range to remove ions that are less electropositive than nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Maxson L. Stewart, Robert R. Odle, William W. Brunson
  • Patent number: 4314974
    Abstract: An improved liquid-liquid solvent extraction system is provided having a mixing stage which includes a mixing device for creating a dispersion of the two liquid phases followed by a residence chamber designed to enhance contacting and mass transfer between the solute and solvent phases. The separating stage includes a drop size conditioning device which establishes a drop size in the discontinuous liquid phase of the dispersion which can be separated easily from the continuous liquid phase in the succeeding settling stage of the device. The drop size conditioning device also acts to reduce entrainment of the solvent phase in the solute phase during separation of the phases. The settling device may contain a series of baffles to reduce the time required for phase separation and to reduce entrainment of the solvent phase in the solute phase.The system is used to extract metal ions such as uranium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and vanadium from aqueous process streams containing dilute concentrations of such ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: Chemineer, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Libby, Sung J. Chen
  • Patent number: 4308239
    Abstract: Cuprous (Copper (I)) chloride is an intermediate for the production of copper metal concentrates. A method of purifying copper salts and particularly cuprous chloride is disclosed which involves utilizing the solubility of cuprous chloride and other copper salts in a mixture of water and acetonitrile of 2-hydroxycyanoethane or acrylonitrile and the ability of cuprous chloride to precipitate when the organic component of the mixture is distilled off. The electrolysis of cuprous chloride in water containing at least 10 grams per litre of copper (I), acid and between 5% and 50% by volume of a water soluble organic nitrile such as acetonitrile or 2-hydroxycyanoethane is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Anumin Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan J. Parker, David M. Muir, Eric J. Grimsey, John S. Preston
  • Patent number: 4301124
    Abstract: Dioxime extractants having the following general formula: ##STR1## where R and R' may be any of a variety of organic hydrocarbon radicals such as aliphatic, alkyl and aryl radicals. R and R' may also be hydrogen. Preferably R is an unsaturated hydrocarbon or branch chain alkyl group containing from about 3 to 20 carbon atoms and R' is hydrogen or an unsaturated hydrocarbon or branch chain alkyl group containing from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferably, there is a difference of about 3 to 10 carbon atoms between R and R' resulting in dissymmetry of the resulting dioxime molecule. Preferably, the dioximes also contain a total of about 5 to 32 carbon atoms. Representative compounds are methyl octyl dioxime and methyl hexyl dioxime.Organic preparations containing such dioximes are useful for the extraction of copper, nickel and cobalt metal values from acid or basic aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Kennecott Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph W. M. Lai, John K. Litchfield
  • Patent number: 4297134
    Abstract: A process for recovering gold from a raw material containing gold by treating the raw material with either aqua regia or hydrochloric acid to form chloroauric acid, extracting the chloroauric acid with an organic solvent and reducing the acid to precipitate gold for separation and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventor: Keita Yamada
  • Patent number: 4293334
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of valuable metals or their compounds from an aqueous medium, such as a metals refinery process waste solution. Metals are recovered in water-insoluble form from aqueous solutions of metal salts by contacting the aqueous solution with a killed fungus of the type commonly called molds for a period of time sufficient to convert soluble metal components in the aqueous solution to a water insoluble form sequestered by the dead fungus. After treatment, metals-containing fungus is separated from the treated aqueous medium and processed for the recovery of metal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Drobot, Hubert A. Lechavelier
  • Patent number: 4293332
    Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for recovering precious metals, such as gold, silver, selenium, and tellurium etc. from anode slime has been developed and tested successfully. The process comprises three major unit operations: leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, and reduction. The decopperized anode slime is first leached with nitric acid at an elevated temperature to obtain a leach solution containing at least about 95% by weight of the silver content, 96% by weight of the selenium content and 76% by weight of the tellurium content of the decopperized anode slime. Silver in the nitric acid leach solution is recovered in the form of silver chloride. Subsequent to the recovery of silver chloride, the selenium, tellurium, copper and other impurities-containing solution is denitrated and chlorinated by a liquid-liquid extraction technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Wei Ko Wang, Ying-Chu Hoh, Wen-Shou Chuang, I-Sine Shaw
  • Patent number: 4293333
    Abstract: A process for recovering metals from aqueous media containing metal in solution, and especially from industrial waste water. The process includes the steps of contacting the aqueous medium with fungus for a period of time sufficient to allow the fungus to extract metal in a water-insoluble form from the solution. The metal may then be recovered from the fungus. Fungi of the species Cladosporium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Black Mycelium and Aureobasidium, have been found to be particularly useful in the process of the present invention. The process is useful, both as a water purification process and as a metals recovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corporation
    Inventor: Walter Drobot
  • Patent number: 4292280
    Abstract: A process for the separation of metals in which a mixture of metal derivatives is converted into anion complexes by means of a complexing anion such as, for example, a halide, thiocyanate, sulphate, nitrate, or the like said anion complexes are bound to a solid, non-soluble polymer, containing oxygen bonded to carbon which is converted into a polyoxonium compound by means of the complexing liquid medium used. The complexes are separated by selective absorption and/or elution over the polymer using suited H.sup.+ ion concentrations and/or complexing anion concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Nederlandse Centrale Organisatie voor Toegepastnatuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek
    Inventors: Bertus van Engelenburg, Hendrik F. van Wijk
  • Patent number: 4292181
    Abstract: In a liquid membrane process for removing ions from solution which comprises contacting a feed solution containing a first ion with an emulsion, said emulsion comprising an external phase which is immiscible with said solution and contains a complexing agent, said complexing agent being capable of forming a first complex with said first ion, which is soluble in said external phase, and an internal phase, the improvement which comprises providing a second ion, in the internal phase, of the emulsion, said second ion being capable of converting said first complex to a second complex by replacing said first ion in said first complex, said second complex being also soluble in said external phase, whereby the first ion diffuses from said solution into said internal phase, and said second ion diffuses from said internal phase into said solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Norman N. Li, Robert P. Cahn, Adam L. Shrier
  • Patent number: 4289531
    Abstract: Platinum, palladium and other precious metals are recovered from aqueous media containing precious metal ions in solution by contacting the metal-containing solution with a proteinaceous material selected from the group consisting of feathers, hair, hoof meal and horn meal to collect the metals in concentrated insoluble form, and recovering metal from the proteinaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Hubert A. Lechavelier, Walter Drobot
  • Patent number: 4289530
    Abstract: Symmetrical quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula ##STR1## are disclosed, wherein each Ar is identical and is phenyl or a condensed polynuclear aryl group having 2 to 4 aryl nuclei, each R is identical and is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X.sup..crclbar. is a salt-forming anion of valence 1 or 2 and n is 1 or 2 depending on the choice of X. Also disclosed are apparatus and processes for the recovery of heavy metals such as silver, gold and other precious metals from solution in water. The disclosed quaternary ammonium compounds are adsorbed to a suitable substrate, preferably alumina, and the treatment water is passed therethrough. A second bed of divided metal such as aluminum is disclosed for use in series with the bed incorporating the quaternary ammonium compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Albee Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy A. Rich
  • Patent number: 4288304
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for extracting zinc from a sulphur- and zinc-containing ore which involves (a) leaching the sulphur ore or concentrate with an aqueous solution of cupric chloride, which can be regenerated by means of a regenerating agent and air; (b) subjecting the solution thus obtained to liquid-liquid extraction by means of an organic phase, preferably containing a solvent, comprising an acid organophosphorus compound; and (c) recovering the zinc contained in the said organic phase after the said extraction, preferably by elution. If justified by the composition of the ore, the following optional recovery steps may then be performed:(1) if lead is present, recovery of lead by cementation (i.e., precipitation) or by crystallization of lead dichloride followed by cementation of the crystallizate;(2) if copper is present, recovery of copper by cementation or by liquid-liquid extraction; and(3) if precious metals, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Societe Miniere et Metallurgique de Penarroya
    Inventors: Jean-Michel DeMarthe, Louis Gandon, Andre Georgeaux
  • Patent number: 4283290
    Abstract: A liquid membrane technique is disclosed for recovery of dissolved species from aqueous solutions thereof in which, by appropriate tailoring of the emulsion, electrostatic precipitation can be used successfully in the recovery of the species from the interior phase of the emulsion. The emulsion is so prepared that the droplet size of the interior phase of the emulsion is in the range of from about 0.3 micrometers to about 10 micrometers, with the majority of the droplets lying in the range of from about 0.8 micrometers to about 3 micrometers. The electrostatic field is preferably at least 1 kilovolt per centimeter up to 7.5 kilovolts per centimeter or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Davy International (Oil & Chemicals) Ltd.
    Inventor: Graham A. Davies
  • Patent number: 4283224
    Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process is provided for the separative treatment of electrometallurgical anode slime containing precious metals and substantial amounts of tin dioxide and lead sulfate. The process is especially suited for treatment of anode slimes from the electrorefining of secondary copper to recover about 85% of the metal value contained therein, especially tin and precious metals. First, lead is separated by leaching the slime with diethylene triamine followed by carbonation to precipitate lead carbonate with subsequent regeneration of the leach solution. Second, tin is separated by leaching the undissolved residue from the amine leach with a solution of hydrochloric acid and chlorine to dissolve substantially all substances except tin dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Maxson L. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4282189
    Abstract: Metal values, such as iron, may be stripped from an organic liquid medium loaded with metal ions by a process which comprises contacting the organic medium with an aqueous phase at a contact temperature which is sufficiently high to cause the metal values to precipitate as metal oxide, hydroxide or hydrate (or a mixture thereof) in the presence of the organic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventors: Gunnar Thorsen, Andrew J. Monhemius
  • Patent number: 4278640
    Abstract: Solvent extraction of metallic mineral values from aqueous acidic solutions is improved by introducing a fine dispersion of air bubbles into the acid-extractant mixture to cause solid material normally occurring at the phase interface to float to the surface. This improved process is particularly applicable to the extraction of uranium from wet process phosphoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: International Minerals & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Hanceford L. Allen, William W. Berry