Group Va Metal Or Arsenic (sb, Bi, Or As) Patents (Class 423/87)
  • Publication number: 20090022639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of material containing at least one valuable metal and arsenic to form a valuable metal-depleted scorodite sediment and a pure aqueous solution to be discharged from the process. According to the method, the valuable metals are first removed from the material to be treated and then arsenic precipitation from the solution is performed in two stages. By means of the method, the aim is to obtain as low a valuable metal content as possible in the scorodite sediment that will be formed. Likewise, the arsenic and valuable metal content of the aqueous solution that is formed during arsenic precipitation also remains so low that the water can be released into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Jaakko Poijarvi, Raimo Nupponen, Tuula Makinen, Jaana Romppanen
  • Publication number: 20080233023
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing scorodite in which scorodite may be obtained at high production efficiency and a high As concentration ratio. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing crystalline scorodite from acidic aqueous solution containing pentavalent As and trivalent Fe, the method comprising a step for adding a basic sodium compound to the acidic aqueous solution such that the sodium concentration in the acidic aqueous solution becomes larger than 0 g/L and equal to or less than 4 g/L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Yukio Kimura, Shigeo Katsura
  • Patent number: 7416712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining metals from a cobalt and/or nickel arsenic sulfide ore or ore concentrate and/or a cobalt and/or nickel sulfide ore or ore concentrate, according to which the cobalt and/or nickel arsenic sulfide ore or ore concentrate and/or the cobalt and/or nickel sulfide ore or ore concentrate is reacted with sulfur or sulfur arsenic compounds to a reaction product, and dissolving and removing soluble metals and rare-earth metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Alexander Beckmann
  • Publication number: 20080075644
    Abstract: A method of producing an iron-arsenic compound by adding an oxidizing agent to an aqueous solution containing arsenic ions and bivalent iron ions and allowing an iron-arsenic compound precipitation reaction to proceed under stirring of the solution, wherein the precipitation reaction is terminated at a solution pH in the range of 0 to 1. When the arsenic concentration of the pre-reaction solution is 25 g/L or greater, the reaction can be terminated at a solution pH in the range of ?0.45 to 1.2. The pH of the pre-reaction solution is preferably greater than 0 and not greater than 2.0. A ferrous sulfate is can be used as the source of the bivalent iron ions. Even when some amount of impurity elements is present in the arsenic-containing solution, the method is nevertheless capable of forming a scorodite compound excellent in crystallinity in the form of a compact compound barely swollen by moisture and the like, i.e., a niron-arsenic compound excellent in filterability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fujita, Ryoichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7347983
    Abstract: Complex ceramic oxides of the general formula Mg2MM?O6+x where M=Rare metal ion or Yttrium or Lanthanum and M?=Sn, Sb, Zr, Hf, Ta, and Nb; and where ?0.5<x<0.5; having a defective pyrochlore structure are useful for active and passive electronic applications, as dielectrics, catalyst sensors, hosts for radioactive waste, etc. This process for the preparation of this class of compounds comprises: (i) mixing the compounds of magnesium, M and M? to get the molar ratio as 2:1:1 (ii) the mixture obtained in step (i) along with a wetting medium may be ball milled or mixed; (iii) the resultant slurry may be dried to obtain dry powder, (iv) the resultant mixture may be heated to a temperature in the range of 1000-1600° C. for the duration ranging from 3 hours to 50 hours, either in a single step or by taking out the reactant after heating, checking for the structure formation and heating again after grinding, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Jose James, Selvaraj Senthilkumar, Kallumelthekethil Vasudevan Pillaj Oonnikrishnan Nair
  • Patent number: 7314604
    Abstract: A method of which includes the steps of introducing an acidic solution containing (V), copper, ferric iron and ferrous iron into a first tank of a series of continuously stirred tank reactors and, in the first tank, adding air to the solution; heating the solution to an elevated temperature; recycling a portion of selectively precipitated ferric arsenate compounds to the said first tank; and seeding the solution with ferric arsenate compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Billiton Intellectual Property, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul Harvey, Colette Kock, John de Klerk Batty
  • Patent number: 7309457
    Abstract: A chain antimony oxide fine particle group comprising antimony oxide fine particles which have an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 nm, are connected in the form of a chain and have an average connection number of 2 to 30 and preferably used for forming a hard coating film. The fine particle group can be prepared by a process comprising treating an alkali antimonate aqueous solution with a cation exchange resin to prepare an antimonic acid (gel) dispersion and then treating the dispersion with an anion exchange resin and/or adding a base to the dispersion. Also provided is a substrate with a film comprising a substrate and a hard coating film. The hard coating film includes a chain inorganic oxide fine particle group, in which inorganic oxide fine particles of 2 to 30 on the average are connected in the form of a chain, and a matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Catalysts & Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Muraguchi, Masayuki Matsuda, Hiroyasu Nishida, Toshiharu Hirai, Mitsuaki Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 7300589
    Abstract: Arsenic is removed from water and other aqueous feeds by (1) treating the feed with a compound containing cerium in the +4 oxidation state, preferably cerium dioxide, to oxidize arsenic in the +3 oxidation state to arsenic in the +5 oxidation state and (2) removing the arsenic in the +5 oxidation state from the aqueous phase, normally by contacting the treated feed with alumina or other precipitating agent containing cations in the +3 oxidation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Richard Donald Witham, Edward Bayer McNew, John Leslie Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20070253877
    Abstract: There is provided a method for recovering a powder of a compound of iron and arsenic, which has a very low concentration of arsenic eluted from the powder, by treating an arsenic containing solution, e.g., a high purity and high concentration arsenic containing solution obtained by treating an arsenic containing substance which contains various elements other than arsenic, such as an intermediate product in a non-ferrous metal smelting or refining process. Ferrous ions are added to an arsenic containing solution, which contains 10 g/L or more of arsenic, so as to cause the ratio (Fe/As) of iron to arsenic in the solution to be not less than 1, and an oxidizing agent is added to the solution to allow a reaction at a temperature of not lower than 70° C. while stirring the solution. Then, a solid-liquid separation is carried out, and a solid part separated by the solid-liquid separation is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fujita, Ryoichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7261906
    Abstract: A process for preparing As4O6 comprises successively heating and cooling a mixture of natural Sinsuk and 40% alcohol in a ratio of about 1: about 1 for about 1 to about 2 hour(s) resulting in a product, successively washing the product with distilled water thereby forming washed precipitates, maintaining the washed precipitates at about ?40° C. for 24 hours, defrosting, filtering, and drying the precipitates, and successively heating and cooling the precipitates to obtain the final As4O6 product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventors: Ill-Ju Bae, Jong-Bae Kim, Choong-Ki Eun, Seung-Kyu Song, Byung-Sun Suh, Kwan-Hee Lee, Myoung-Sool Doo, Jin-Hwan Kwak, Byung-Doo Song, Taek-Joon Yoon, Tae-Bong Kang, Choon-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 7232554
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of arsenic trioxide from acid solutions, particularly the aqueous acid effluent produced by a gas-washing process in the pyrometallurgy of copper sulfide ores is provided. Generally, the process comprises concentrating the acid solution in one or more evaporators in series; crystallizing arsenic contained in the concentrated solution as arsenic trioxide crystals; filtering the crystallized solution to obtain a solid phase comprising impure arsenic trioxide crystals; and purifying the solid phase to obtain a purified crystal product comprising arsenic trioxide. The process produces a commercially salable arsenic trioxide product without producing any solid or liquid residues subject to special handling or treatment regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Mendoza Videla, Jorge Balanda Andina, Hector Gallegos Cisternas
  • Patent number: 7175707
    Abstract: A p-type GaAs single crystal containing Si, Zn, B and In as dopants has an average dislocation density of 100 cm?2 or less. It may be produced by cooling a GaAs melt containing Si, Zn, B and In as dopants in a crystal-growing container having a seed crystal placed at a lower end thereof in an upward increasing temperature gradient, to cause a single crystal to grow upward from the seed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenya Itani, Masaya Ohnishi, Shinji Komata, Seiji Mizuniwa
  • Patent number: 7160526
    Abstract: A chemical process for detoxifying spent CCA (copper, chrome, arsenic)—treated wood, from which CCA and detoxified wood are recovered for recycling comprising the steps of (a) treating CCA-treated wood in the presence of a liquefying reagent such as an organic solvent at 100–250° C. with or without ferrous ions to form liquefied CCA-treated wood (b) adding water or an aqueous solution of an organic solvent to the liquefied CCA-treated wood with stirring to obtain an aqueous solution of liquefied CCA-treated wood (c) adding complexing or precipitating agents, such as phosphoric acid or calcium hydroxide to the aqueous solution of step (b) thereby precipitating insoluble heavy metal complexes or precipitates and forming a solution of detoxified CCA-treated wood (d) separating said heavy metal complexes or precipitates from the solution of detoxified liquefied CCA-treated wood and (e) isolating chromated copper arsenate from said heavy metal complex or precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Lin Lianzhen, Chung-Yun Hse, Todd Finley Shupe
  • Patent number: 7157024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal oxide particle comprising tin atom, zinc atom, antimony atom and oxygen atom, having a molar ratio SnO2:ZnO:Sb2O5 of 0.01–1.00:0.80–1.20:1.00 and having a primary particle diameter of 5 to 500 nm; and a process for producing the metal oxide particle comprising the steps of: mixing a tin compound, a zinc compound and an antimony compound in a molar ratio SnO2:ZnO:Sb2O5 of 0.01–1.00:0.80–1.20:1.00; and calcining the mixture at a temperature of 300 to 900° C. The metal oxide particle is used for several purposes such as antistatic agents, UV light absorbers, heat radiation absorbers or sensors for plastics or glass, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayuki Isaji, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7138098
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite from a M-containing salt forms a nanocrystallite. The nanocrystallite can be a member of a population of nanocrystallites having a narrow size distribution and can include one or more semiconductor materials. Semiconducting nanocrystallites can photoluminesce and can have high emission quantum efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Moungi Bawendi, Nathan E. Stott
  • Patent number: 7128840
    Abstract: Improved methods for the extraction or dissolution of metals, metalloids or their oxides, especially lanthanides, actinides, uranium or their oxides, into supercritical solvents containing an extractant are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments specifically include enhancing the extraction or dissolution efficiency with ultrasound. The present methods allow the direct, efficient dissolution of UO2 or other uranium oxides without generating any waste stream or by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien M. Wai, Youichi Enokida
  • Patent number: 7118727
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing particles, such as oxide nanoparticles, in a substantially water-free environment. The process involves mixing at least one metal compound of the formula MX(m?n) with at least one surfactant and at least one solvent, wherein M is an electropositive element of Groups 1–15; each X is independently selected from the group consisting of O1/2, F, Cl, Br, I, OR, O2CR, NR2, and R; each R is independently a hydrocarbyl group; n is equal to ½ the oxidation state of the metal M in the product particle; and m is equal to the oxidation state of the element M. The components are typically combined to form a mixture which is thermally treated for a time period sufficient to convert the metal compound into particles of the corresponding oxide, having sizes in a range between about 0.5 nanometer and about 1000 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Darryl Stephen Williams
  • Patent number: 7045066
    Abstract: A method of removing arsenic from water by using a reactor that is provided with a fluidized bed of carriers is disclosed. An arsenic-containing influent is mixed in the reactor with a sulfide aqueous solution or metallic salt aqueous solution at a predetermined pH, thereby resulting in formation of crystals of arsenic sulfides or arsenic acid metal salts. The arsenic contained in the influent is thus removed by crystallization. An effluent with a reduced arsenic content is discharged from the reactor. The carriers, on which the crystals are formed, are periodically removed from the reactor which is replenished with fresh carriers immediately after.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Mao-Sung Lee, Wang-Kuan Chang, Chihpin Huang, Shih-Ming Yen
  • Patent number: 6887441
    Abstract: Bulk Aluminum Antimonide (AlSb)-based single crystal materials have been prepared for use as ambient (room) temperature X-ray and Gamma-ray radiation detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John W. Sherohman, Arthur W. Coombs, III, Jick H. Yee
  • Patent number: 6863825
    Abstract: Arsenic is removed from water and other aqueous feeds by (1) treating the feed with a compound containing cerium in the +4 oxidation state, preferably cerium dioxide, to oxidize arsenic in the +3 oxidation state to arsenic in the +5 oxidation state and (2) removing the arsenic in the +5 oxidation state from the aqueous phase, normally by contacting the treated feed with alumina or other precipitating agent containing cations in the +3 oxidation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Richard Donald Witham, Edward Bayer McNew, John Leslie Burba, III
  • Patent number: 6861037
    Abstract: The present invention focuses on the method for the removal of impurities, such as tellurium and bismuth, from gold concentrate containing sulfides. According to the present method, the impurities are leached from the gold concentrate with the aid of an acidic aqueous solution, at an elevated temperature, whereby the impurities dissolve and the gold remains in the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Raimo Leimala, Olli Hyvärinen
  • Patent number: 6855527
    Abstract: A method of biotreating a solid material to remove an undesired compound using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method, the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 ?m. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The solid material is biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: GeoBiotics LLC
    Inventor: William J. Kohr
  • Patent number: 6843617
    Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing toxic materials in a waste matrix and in the pore water of the waste matrix. The method includes the steps of combining with the waste matrix (and pore water) an agent for controlling the oxidation-reduction potential of the matrix/water, an agent for controlling the pH of matrix/water, and an agent for adsorbing or coprecipitating the toxic material in the matrix/water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: RMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Chowdhury, Lane D. Tickanen
  • Patent number: 6835332
    Abstract: A process for producing an electrode material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising the steps of mixing a metal compound (a) of a metal (a′) capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium, a transition metal compound (b) of a transition metal (b′) and a complexing agent (c) with a solvent (d) to obtain a mixed solution, mixing a reducing agent (e) with said mixed solution to obtain a mixture, and oxidizing said reducing agent in said mixture to reduce ion of said metal (a′) and ion of said transition metal (b′) to obtain an amorphous alloy material capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium as said electrode material. An electrode structural body in which said electrode material is used, and a rechargeable lithium battery in which said electrode material is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Yamamoto, Soichiro Kawakami, Hiroya Umeyama
  • Patent number: 6827860
    Abstract: Nickel and lead ions are eliminated from an acidic concentrated iron(II) salt solution by adding an alkali sulfide and precipitating nickel and lead sulphides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kronos Titan GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Dieter Schinkitz
  • Patent number: 6734327
    Abstract: Novel active catalyst compositions comprising a compound or mixture of compounds represented by the formula SbFXmY4−m a complex of such a compound or mixture of such compounds being represented by the formula R.SbFXmY4−m or a combination of such compounds and complexes where in each formula, X is an anionic moiety, Y is an anion or anions resulting from the deprotonation of an active hydrogen-containing compound(s), m is 0 to 3 and R is one or more active hydrogen containing compound acting as molecules of solvation. The catalyst compositions are useful to promote alkoxylation reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Craig Bedard, Brian Terry Keen, Bradley Allen Sleadd, Mark R. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6645458
    Abstract: Process for the manufacture of an aqueous sodium chloride solution, according to which a solid material comprising sodium chloride and heavy metals is dispersed in water, the aqueous medium thus obtained is alkalinized so as to precipitate the heavy metals in the form of metal hydroxides, calcium carbonate is coprecipitated with the metal hydroxides in the aqueous medium and the aqueous medium is then subjected to mechanical clarification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Cédric Humblot
  • Publication number: 20030165359
    Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing toxic materials in a waste matrix and in the pore water of the waste matrix. The method includes the steps of combining with the waste matrix (and pore water) an agent for controlling the oxidation-reduction potential of the matrix/water, an agent for controlling the pH of matrix/water, and an agent for adsorbing or coprecipitating the toxic material in the matrix/water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Ajit Chowdhury, Lane D. Tickanen
  • Patent number: 6603127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a generator capable of producing therapeutic Bismuth-213 doses. Also disclosed are methods of preparing Bismuth-213-labeled compounds using such generator and applications of the labeled compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: David Scheinberg, Ronald D. Finn, Dangshe Ma, Michael R. McDevitt
  • Patent number: 6592831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for vaporizing and cracking chemical elements for use in a deposition process. The apparatus includes a vaporization cell integrally connected with a thermal cracker cell. The vaporization cell has an inlet section in communication with a valve section defining a heating chamber capable of holding a liquid or solid chemical material to be vaporized. A heat source is positioned in the heating chamber and is capable of providing sufficient thermal energy to evaporate or sublimate the chemical material. The thermal cracker cell is communicatively connected to an outlet of the vaporization cell, and includes an elongated tapered tube with a heating element associated therewith. The heating element is capable of providing sufficient thermal energy to dissociate molecular clusters of vaporized chemical material. This provides monomeric or dimeric chemical elements for use in a deposition process such as during semiconductor device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Technology Transfer Office, The University of Utah
    Inventors: Ruey-Jen Hwu, Laurence P. Sadwick, Paul P. Lee
  • Patent number: 6543964
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing arsenic in a waste matrix includes the steps of combining with the waste matrix an agent for controlling the oxidation-reduction potential of the matrix, an agent for controlling the pH of the matrix and an agent for adsorbing or coprecipitating the arsenic in the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: RMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit K Chowdhury, Lane D Tickanen
  • Publication number: 20030065238
    Abstract: A method of treating metal-contaminated spent foundry sand, or other industrial waste, by combining the sand with a sulfite to produce insoluble metal sulfur oxide complexes that do not leach from the sand. The treated waste may also be processed to reducing “clumping,” thereby rendering the treated waste appropriate for use in another industrial process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Edward Carroll Hale, John E. Wildey
  • Patent number: 6500395
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of air pollution control (APC) residues comprising the steps of washing the residues at least one time in an alkaline solution maintained at a pH not lower than about 11.5, separating the alkaline washed residues from the alkaline solution. The present method further comprises an optional step of verifying whether the alkaline washed residues are substantially devoid of metal components. When the alkaline washed residues are not substantially devoid of metal components, the alkaline washed residues are washed at least one time in an acid solution maintained at a pH between about 2 and about 4.5 and the acid washed residues are separated from the acid solution so as to produce residues substantially devoid of metal components. The APC residues obtained in application of the methods according to the present invention constitute non-hazardous material/waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Guy Mercier, Myriam Chartier, Guy Roberge, Christine Sauvageau
  • Patent number: 6495024
    Abstract: The object of this invention is a method by which arsenic is removed from sulfuric acid solution, in which the sulfuric add concentration is at least 300 g/l, at a temperature of 50-105° C. by reducing the arsenic in the solution with the aid of sulfur dioxide. The arsenic trioxide produced is crystallized from the sulfuric acid solution by cooling. The method is particularly suitable for use in connection with the electrolytic refining of metals, as in copper refining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Cutokumpo OYJ
    Inventors: Leo Lindroos, Henri Virtanen
  • Patent number: 6485696
    Abstract: Ozone is used to rapidly oxidize specific metallic elements. The insoluble oxidized compounds of the metals formed by the ozonation are then recovered for industrial use in a conventional sedimentation/filtration tank or pool. There is no requirement for pre-treating or neutralizing the acid mine discharge, even when iron is the dominant metal. If the pH of the untreated acid mine discharge is less than about 2.5, metals other than iron precipitated first. After that, the pH is raised and the iron is precipitated as ferric hydroxide. Aluminum is removed as hydrated aluminum compounds after removal of the iron prior to discharging the acid mine discharge to streams. Both the ozonation and neutralization processes are monitored and controlled using electrochemical sensors and feedback controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Motoaki Sato, Eleanora I. Robbins
  • Patent number: 6476287
    Abstract: A method of treating metal-contaminated spent foundry sand, or other industrial waste, by combining the sand with a sulfite to produce insoluble metal sulfur oxide complexes that do not leach from the sand. The treated waste may also be processed to reduce “clumping,” thereby rendering the treated waste appropriate for use in another industrial process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Edward Carroll Hale, III, John E. Wildey
  • Patent number: 6461581
    Abstract: The present invention provides a clathrate compound which can be used as a thermoelectric material, a hard material, or a semiconductor material. Silicon or carbon are formed into a clathrate lattice, and a clathrate compound is then formed in which specified doping atoms are encapsulated within the clathrate lattice, and a portion of the atoms of the clathrate lattice are substituted with specified substitution atoms. The clathrate lattice is, for example, a silicon clathrate 34 (Si34) mixed lattice of a Si20 cluster including a dodecahedron of Si atoms, and a Si28 cluster including a hexahedron of Si atoms. Suitable doping atoms are atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 3A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 4A, group 5A, group 6A, and group 8, and suitable substitution atoms are atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 3A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 5A, group 6A, group 7A, group 5B, group 6B, group 7B, and group 8 of the periodic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Eguchi, Akihiko Suzuki, Satoshi Takahashi, Kaoru Miyahara, Tohru Tanaka, Shigemitsu Kihara, Kazuo Tsumuraya
  • Patent number: 6461577
    Abstract: A method of leaching sulphidic material that contains metals and arsenic under oxidising conditions and with the aid of microorganisms is characterised by mixing the material with an acid aqueous solution to form a pulp, and in that the material is leached in a first leaching stage at a pH of below 2 and at a temperature that ranges from room temperature to about 55° C. in the presence of an active quantity of microorganisms of the mesophilic and/or moderately thermophilic type, wherewith the major part of the arsenic content of the material and possibly also part of its metal content is/are leached-out and the arsenic leached from said material is oxidised successively to a pentavalent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Boliden Mineral AB
    Inventors: Börje Lindström, &angst;ke Sandström, Jan-Eric Sundkvist
  • Patent number: 6458319
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in high performance p-type thermoelectric materials having enhanced thermoelectric properties and the methods of preparing such materials. In one aspect of the invention, p-type semiconductors of formula Zn4−xAxSb3−yBy wherein 0≦x≦4, A is a transition metal, B is a pnicogen, and 0≦y≦3 are formed for use in manufacturing thermoelectric devices with substantially enhanced operating characteristics and improved efficiency. Two methods of preparing p-type Zn4Sb3 and related alloys of the present invention include a crystal growth method and a powder metallurgy method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thierry Caillat, Alexander Borshchevsky, Jean-Pierre Fleurial
  • Patent number: 6455459
    Abstract: Novel active catalyst compositions comprising a compound or mixture of compounds represented by the formula SbFXmY4−m a complex of such a compound or mixture of such compounds being represented by the formula R·SbFXmY4−m or a combination of such compounds and complexes where in each formula, X is an anionic moiety, Y is an anion or anions resulting from the deprotonation of an active hydrogen-containing compound(s), m is 0 to 3 and R is one or more active hydrogen containing compound acting as molecules of solvation. The catalyst compositions are useful to promote alkoxylation reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Craig Bedard, Brian Terry Keen, Bradley Allen Sleadd
  • Patent number: 6436358
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing metal contaminants from the spent salt of a molten salt oxidation (MSO) reactor is described. Spent salt is removed from the reactor and analyzed to determine the contaminants present and the carbonate concentration. The salt is dissolved in water, and one or more reagents may be added to precipitate the metal oxide and/or the metal as either metal oxide, metal hydroxide, or as a salt. The precipitated materials are filtered, dried and packaged for disposal as waste or can be immobilized as ceramic pellets. More than about 90% of the metals and mineral residues (ashes) present are removed by filtration. After filtration, salt solutions having a carbonate concentration >20% can be spray-dried and returned to the reactor for re-use. Salt solutions containing a carbonate concentration <20% require further clean-up using an ion exchange column, which yields salt solutions that contain less than 1.0 ppm of contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Peter C. Hsu, Erica H. Von Holtz, David L. Hipple, Leslie J. Summers, William A. Brummond, Martyn G. Adamson
  • Patent number: 6409978
    Abstract: A process for removing impurities contained in the crystal lattice of minerals, comprising the steps of forming a mixture of a mineral capable of structurally reorganizing its crystal lattice which contains an impurity in its crystal lattice and a halogen anion, and water; heating the mixture to the mineral's structural reorganization transition temperature; holding the mixture at the structural reorganization transition temperature for a sufficient period of time to allow the impurity to freely migrate from the lattice to combine with the halogen anion; and separating the combined impurity and anion from the mixture to render the mineral essentially free of the impurity. The process is applicable to numerous minerals and impurities, but is especially useful to remove arsenic from fluorspar. Numerous halogen anions can be employed, such as chlorides, fluorides, bromides and iodides, but the preferred halogen anion is a metal chloride such as calcium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Svedala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby P. Faulkner, John M. Paustian
  • Patent number: 6406676
    Abstract: A method of purifying an acid leaching solution obtained by processing hydrometallurgically material that contains valuable metals and also Fe3+ and Fe2+, and possibly also arsenic in solution. The major part of the Fe3+-content and the arsenic is precipitated out in a first stage, by adding pH-elevating agent to the leaching solution. The precipitate formed in the first precipitation stage is extracted from the solution and removed from the process. The solution is oxidised in a second precipitation stage while adding a further pH-elevating agent for oxidation of Fe2+ and precipitation of resultant Fe3+ and any arsenic still present. The resultant precipitate and any residual solid pH-elevating agent are then extracted from the solution and returned in the process to more acid conditions, and the thus purified solution is then processed to win its valuable metal content in a manner per se. The pH is suitably raised during the first stage to a value in the range of 2.2-2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Boliden Mineral AB
    Inventor: Jan-Eric Sundkvist
  • Patent number: 6398968
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for removal of contaminants from aqueous solutions. The methods and systems of these embodiments are particularly suited to removal of arsenic species as well as transition-metals, post-transition-metals, phosphates and other contaminants in aqueous solutions. The methods and systems of embodiments of the present invention provide for the addition of a reagent to a contaminated solution in combination with a pressurization process and a depressurization process. Contaminant particulates and solids produced in these processes may be removed by conventional separation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Watermark Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Loren P. Higby
  • Publication number: 20020063052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for removing arsenic compounds using amino/ammonium-functionalized anion exchangers from the distillation bottoms obtained in the purification of hydrogen fluoride by distillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Axel Peters, Gunter Lailach, Reinhold Klipper
  • Patent number: 6383458
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of one or more metal values from a metal ore material comprising those of one or more values and a matrix material having a sulfur content wherein the sulfur is present in an oxidation-reduction state of zero or less comprising a. forming particulates from particles of said ore and an inoculate comprising bacteria capable of at least partially oxidizing the sulfur content; b. forming a heap of said particulates; c. biooxidizing the sulfur content and d. recovering those one or more metal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Newmont Mining Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Brierley, David L. Hill
  • Patent number: 6379635
    Abstract: A process for preparing a nanocrystalline material comprising at least a first ion and at least a second ion different from the first ion, and wherein at least the first ion is a metal ion, is described. The process comprises contacting a metal complex comprising the first ion and the second ion with a dispersing medium suitable to form the nanocrystalline material and wherein the dispersing medium is at a temperature to allow formation by pyrolysis of the nanocrystalline material when contacted with the metal complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine
    Inventors: Paul O'Brien, Tito Trin Dade
  • Patent number: 6342189
    Abstract: A method for the total precipitation of valuable metals, such as copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt, etc., from a leaching solution that has been acidified with sulphuric acid and that is substantially free from impurities, by neutralizing the solution with lime and/or limestone. Neutralization is effected in at least two stages, wherewith only partial precipitation is effected in the first stage, and wherewith full precipitation of remaining valuable metal content is effected in the last stage, by adding a surplus of neutralization agent. Slurry containing precipitates and remaining solid neutralization agent formed in the last stage in the neutralization process is returned to the first neutralization stage, possibly after re-dissolving the slurry in the incoming acid leaching solution. The amount of slurry returned together with any further neutralizing agent added promotes the partial precipitation of the valuable metal content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Boliden Mineral, AB
    Inventor: Jan-Eric Sundkvist
  • 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: 6254312
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing arsenic in a waste matrix includes the steps of combining with the waste matrix an agent for controlling the oxidation-reduction potential of the matrix, an agent for controlling the pH of the matrix and an agent for adsorbing or coprecipitating the arsenic in the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: RMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit K Chowdhury, Lane D Tickanen