Removing Nonmetal From Metal Patents (Class 75/403)
  • Patent number: 11821055
    Abstract: Articles and methods for processing aluminum are generally described. The aluminum can include compositions of gallium and/or indium such that the aluminum is activated to react with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Peter Godart
  • Patent number: 11682801
    Abstract: Integrated recycling method and processes including recycling spent catalyst to produce one or more water-soluble metal salts and one or more water-insoluble tail byproducts, and recycling rechargeable batteries to produce one or more battery-grade metals and one or more pure metallic byproducts, wherein the water insoluble tail byproduct is a feedstock in recycling the rechargeable batteries, the impure metallic byproduct is a feedstock in recycling the spent catalyst, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ALEON RENEWABLE METALS, LLC.
    Inventors: Alfred Salazar, Tarun K. Bhatt, Micki Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11473170
    Abstract: A process for nickel concentration and extraction from non-sulfidic iron-bearing nickeliferous resources is disclosed. The process includes an atmospheric acid-based leaching treatment of the non-sulfidic iron-bearing nickeliferous resources by oxalic acid to produce a nickel concentrate comprising distinct nickel oxalate particles. The nickel concentrate is technically amenable to further chemical and physical processing to obtain various high-grade nickel products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: Mohammad Asadrokht, Alireza Zakeri
  • Patent number: 11022552
    Abstract: A wood stove monitoring and control device can include a mounting flange mountable to a chimney exhaust pipe of a wood stove. The device can include a ring removably mountable on top of the mounting flange, where the flange is suitably positioned vertically along the exhaust pipe so that the ring is positioned at least partially above an end of the exhaust pipe. The device includes an optical beam source disposed on the ring, and which generates and outputs an optical beam. The device includes an optical sensor positioned on the ring opposite the optical beam source to detect the optical beam output by the optical beam source as the optical beam passes through smoke exhausted by the wood stove through the exhaust pipe. The device can include a temperature probe disposed on the ring to measure a temperature of heat exhausted by the wood stove through the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Acumentor LLC
    Inventor: Noel Dean Putaansuu
  • Publication number: 20150090075
    Abstract: A method for removing metal and/or precious metal-containing depositions from substrates, wherein said substrate is subjected to treatment with an organo amine protectant component P and an inorganic active component A. Component P may be formed in situ by reaction with component R. Component P is an organic amine and/or organic amine hydrochloride (preferably diisopropylamine hydrochloride), component A is an inorganic compound (preferably inorganic acid or a mixture thereof) and component R is an organic compound that can be split along the C—N bond by the component A into an organic amine (preferably dimethylformamide or N-methyl pyrrolidone). The metals in the form of organo-metallic complexes can be isolated and/or separated by means of different chemical reactions (preferably reduction reactions) and/or biosorption (preferably with seaweed or yeast).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Petr Dedek, Matthew J. Noble
  • Patent number: 8845777
    Abstract: A metal reclaiming system and method for reclaiming metal from scrap material is provided. The system has a furnace (12) and a controller (106) for controlling operation of the system. The controller (106) operates the metal reclaiming system in a first operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a first temperature in the range of 350° C. to 550° C. to incinerate pollutants and drive off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the scrap material without melting the metal. The controller (106) is operates the metal reclaiming system in a subsequent operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a further, higher temperature to melt metal in the said scrap for reclaiming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Chinook Sciences, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rifat Al Chalabi, Ophneil Henry Perry
  • Patent number: 8747519
    Abstract: A method selectively recovers a useful substance from waste including a chlorine-containing synthetic resin and metal copper in a mixed state. Metal copper is recovered from coated copper-wire waste. The method includes the steps of heat-treating the waste in form of coated copper wires, each having a coating material made of a chlorine-containing synthetic resin, in oil or under a non-oxygen condition. Here, the coating material is carbonized and a chlorine content of the coating material is reduced. Then the coating material and the copper wire are separated from each other the copper wire is recovered. The chlorine-containing synthetic resin can be treated without generating dioxin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan, Polytech Kagawa, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okano, Gou Sajiki, Mitsunori Deguchi, Sadao Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 8696788
    Abstract: There is provided a process for recovering AB5 alloy from spent nickel hydride storage batteries and/or their cells without thermal melting or dissolving the AB5 alloy. The process comprises a step of dissolving the Ni(OH)2 and separating AB5 alloy and still containing the lanthanum metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Retriev Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Scott Swoffer
  • Publication number: 20140096647
    Abstract: There is provided a process for recovering AB5 alloy from spent nickel hydride storage batteries and/or their cells without thermal melting or dissolving the AB5 alloy. The process comprises a step of dissolving the Ni(OH)2 and separating AB5 alloy and still containing the lanthanum metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Toxco, Inc.
    Inventors: W. NOVIS SMITH, SCOTT SWOFFER
  • Publication number: 20130333522
    Abstract: A method of recovering valuable metals from a waste including: heating the waste at a temperature and for a period of time such that a glass fiber does not melt but degrades to the extent that it becomes pulverizable, wherein conditions of the temperature and period of time are selected from a group consisting of a range of more than or equal to 750° C. and less than 800° C. for 30-40 minutes, a range of more than or equal to 800° C. and less than 900° C. for 10-40 minutes, a range of more than or equal to 900° C. and less than 950° C. for 10-30 minutes, a range of more than or equal to 950° C. and less than 1000° C. for 10-20 minutes, and a range of 1000° C. for about 10 minutes; removing the degraded glass fiber; and recovering valuable metals contained in the waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Tetsuyuki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8551212
    Abstract: A system for recovering precious metals. A container is configured to receive recyclable materials. The recyclable materials include non-metallic materials, base metals and precious metals. A separating solution is disposed in the container and is configured to separate the base metals and the precious metals from the non-metallic materials. The non-metallic materials, base metals, and precious metals are subsequently separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Behrouz Kawarizadeh
  • Patent number: 8435323
    Abstract: A process for batchwise working-up valuable metals containing recycling materials having a content of organic constituents so high that its use as smelting materials in conventional metal smelting processes is not suitably or even possible. The material is charged to a tiltable reactor rotatable along its own longitudinal axis having a common opening for charging and emptying. The material is heated to a temperature promoting the expulsion of organic constituents by pyrolysis and/or combustion. The material consists at least to an essential part of such size fractions that admits a continuous charging during operation. The process is characterized in that said material during operation is charged continuously in an adjustable stream being controlled and/or adjusted by means of running measurements of different process variables so that the flow and composition of the combustible gas and the heat release is kept under control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Boliden Mineral AB
    Inventor: Olof Sandberg
  • Publication number: 20130081515
    Abstract: [Object] A technique is provided which selectively recovers a useful substance from waste including a chlorine-containing synthetic resin and metal copper in a mixed state. [Solving Means] In a method for recovering metal copper from coated copper-wire waste, the method includes the steps of heat-treating the waste in form of coated copper wires, each having a coating material made of a chlorine-containing synthetic resin, in oil or under a non-oxygen condition, thereby carbonizing the coating material and reducing a chlorine content of the coating material, and separating the coating material and the copper wire from each other, thereby recovering the copper wire. [Advantageous Effect] Because of enabling the chlorine-containing synthetic resin to be treated without generating dioxin, the present invention is useful in recovering the metal copper from the coated-wire waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicants: POLYTECH KAGAWA CO., LTD., INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY, JP
    Inventors: Institute of National Colleges of Technology, JP, Polytech Kagawa Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8317896
    Abstract: A method of recycling useful metals is provided. The method enables useful metals including indium, zinc, yttrium, europium, lanthanum, terbium, gadolinium, antimony, lead, copper, tin, and silver to be recovered from wastes, such as wasted flat panel displays, and recycled economically with small energy consumption. The method of recycling useful metals includes: a step in which wastes comprising various flat panel displays, e.g., liquid-crystal display panels, are crushed/powdered; a step in which the resultant particles are dissolved in an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution; and a step in which various metal oxides and various metal fluorides which remain undissolved are filtered off and the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution containing various metal ions is electrolyzed to deposit and recover metals for transparent-electrode oxides, such as indium and zinc, and other useful metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Shibaura Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuya Homma, Tomoyuki Ubusawa, Tomoyuki Furuyama, Akihiro Morikaku, Kumpei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8268267
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for separation and recovery of vanadium, molybdenum, iron, tungsten, cobalt and nickel from alumina-based materials, mattes, ores, manufacturing by-products and waste. These elements are oxidized. The oxides are reacted with gaseous HCl to form volatile chloride-bearing compounds that subsequently sublimate. The volatile compounds are condensed in a downward-stepped thermal gradient that allows collection of moderate to high purity compounds of individual elements with exception of a nickel-cobalt co-condensate. Nickel is separated from cobalt by precipitation of nickel chloride from concentrated HCl pressurized with gaseous HCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Metals Recovery Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7976611
    Abstract: Process for recovering metals from metal-containing wastes and materials, characterized in that the metal-containing waste is preferably introduced continuously into a process chamber, treated thermally with continuous intensive mixing, the organic components are continuously removed and subsequently oxidized and the metal-containing components, preferably as metal conglomerates, and the further inorganic metal-free components are discharged essentially continuously from the process chamber and a plant for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Joachim Beyer, Walter Leidinger, Wolfgang Calaminus, Egidius Vickus, Wilhelm Kuckelsberg, Mark Mätschke
  • Patent number: 7972411
    Abstract: Proposed is a method for separating dross in a soldering process for a printed circuit board using a tin bath containing liquid tin. The method includes collecting dross produced during the soldering process; grinding the dross to tin ash in the tin bath for allowing a portion of tin contained in the tin ash to be melted again to join the liquid tin; and scooping up and recycling the tin ash not melted in the tin liquid. The method precludes a waste of tin resources and high manufacturing costs which might otherwise arise from directly scooping up dross of high tin content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Askey Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Feng Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110072936
    Abstract: A method for extracting nickel and lithium includes solvent extraction step of using three or more extraction stages to subject a solution containing lithium and nickel to solvent extraction with 2-Ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester at a pH of 8.0 to 8.5, whereby the nickel and the lithium are co-extracted into a resultant organic phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Narisako, Toshiyuki Yamaoka, Daisuke Kobayashi, Naoki Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20110017020
    Abstract: A method of recycling useful metals is provided. The method enables useful metals including indium, zinc, yttrium, europium, lanthanum, terbium, gadolinium, antimony, lead, copper, tin, and silver to be recovered from wastes, such as wasted flat panel displays, and recycled economically with small energy consumption. The method of recycling useful metals includes: a step in which wastes comprising various flat panel displays, e.g., liquid-crystal display panels, are crushed/powdered; a step in which the resultant particles are dissolved in an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution; and a step in which various metal oxides and various metal fluorides which remain undissolved are filtered off and the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution containing various metal ions is electrolyzed to deposit and recover metals for transparent-electrode oxides, such as indium and zinc, and other useful metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: SHIBAURA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Tetsuya Homma, Tomoyuki Ubusawa, Tomoyuki Furuyama, Akihiro Morikaku, Kumpei Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100275730
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for recycling precious metal from used printed circuit boards. The used printed circuit boards are roasted with plasma at 800 degrees Celsius for less than 10 minutes, thus producing exhaust and residue that contains the precious metal. The exhaust is treated with an exhaust-treatment system before it is released to the atmosphere. The residue is ground and turned into scraps of a diameter smaller than 2 mm. The scraps are subjected to magnetic separation, thus separating ferromagnetic scraps from non-ferromagnetic scraps. The ferromagnetic scraps are refined. The non-ferromagnetic scraps are screened, thus separating tiny non-ferromagnetic scraps from big non-ferromagnetic scraps. The tiny non-ferromagnetic scraps contain silver and gold. The big non-ferromagnetic scraps contain copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL - INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Wen-Cheng Lee, Ching-Hwa Lee, Ching-Liang Chen, Fu-Jen Yeh, Hei-Yi Chen, Yun-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7789936
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing copper from ferrous scrap are described. Some amounts of copper in ferrous scrap are removed by oxidation and subsequent mechanical impact of the oxidized scrap. Further removal of copper from the solid scrap can be achieved by fluxing the copper oxide below the melting point of ferrous scrap using CaO—SiO2—B2O3— and Na2O—SiO2—B2O3-based slags. Using the invention, copper can be removed from ferrous scrap in a natural, cost-effective, and environmental-friendly manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Weol Dong Cho, Peng Fan
  • Patent number: 7648558
    Abstract: Methods for treating aluminum in a furnace. An aluminum charge is introduced into a furnace and melted with heat from at least one burner. The burner is supplied with at least one oxidizer and at least one fuel. The oxidizer is made up of at least 10% oxygen by volume. The concentration of a first gas is measured in the furnace atmosphere or in a flue gas exiting the furnace. The oxidation of the molten aluminum is then reduced by holding the flow rate of the oxidizer steady while varying the flow rate of the fuel, according to the concentration of a second gas in the furnace or in the flue gas exiting the furnace. The concentration of the second gas is determined by comparing the measured species concentration and the intrinsic concentration which would be present absent the aluminum charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bruno Allemand, Jean-Claude Vuillermoz
  • Publication number: 20090293676
    Abstract: A method which allows recovery of valuable metals in simple steps from printed wiring board or the like is provided. The waste is an integrated industrial waste containing a glass fiber, an epoxy resin and valuable metals such as copper, iron, gold and aluminum. The method comprises heating the industrial waste to a temperature at which the glass fiber does not melt but degrades, followed by removing the degraded glass fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Tetsuyuki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7540078
    Abstract: A recycling method of wastes of an electrical appliance containing an article having a circuit soldered with parts soldered with a lead free solder. The method includes discriminating a first article having a circuit soldered with lead free parts from a second article having a circuit soldered with lead containing parts; recovering, grinding and melting each of the first and second articles to separate materials of the first article and materials of the second article; recycling reusable valuables contained in the materials of the first article and second article; and shredding a portion of the first and second article not containing the reusable valuables and burying/treating the portion at a stabilizing dumping ground or a controlled dumping ground for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Suetsugu, Shunji Hibino, Masato Hirano, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Mikiya Nakata
  • Publication number: 20090013822
    Abstract: A method and an assembly for treating minerals using microwave energy are disclosed. The method includes exposing a moving bed, preferably a mixed moving bed, of mineral particles to pulsed high energy microwave energy so that at least substantially all particles receive at least some exposure to microwave energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Technological Resources PTY
    Inventor: Raymond Walter Shaw
  • Publication number: 20080282843
    Abstract: Process for recovering catalytic coating material from catalytic converters, catalytic material or catalytic assemblies where the catalytic coating material is bonded to a metal supporting structure, the process being carried out by contacting the catalytic coating material with nitric acid and/or a nitrate-containing chemical or material, applying heat, agitating the catalytic converters, catalytic material or catalytic assemblies being processed to dislodge the catalytic coating material, and rinsing the catalytic converters, catalytic material or catalytic assemblies with water to facilitate the removal of remaining catalytic coating material, and recovering ionic metal species dissolved by the nitric acid and/or nitrate-containing chemical or material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: James Dennis Holgersen
  • Patent number: 7234235
    Abstract: In wire cross-linking process, after microwave is launched into the inside of the waveguide coaxial converter, the coated wire is inserted into the wire insertion pipe. The coated wire is cross-linked by high frequency heat and a coating insulator is adhered well to an electric conductor by heat shrinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kato, Masashi Kando
  • Patent number: 6855187
    Abstract: In a waste wire harness including electric wires each coated with a resin comprised of an olefin-based resin and magnesium hydroxide as a fire retardant, and including accompanied members having at least one of terminals, connectors, various kind of boxes such as junction boxes and fuse boxes, tapes, tubes, grommets, wiring clips, and protectors, a method for recycling the waste wire harness includes a step of removing the accompanied members from the waste wire harness, a step of crushing the waste wire harness after removing the accompanied members to obtain crushed particles, a step of incinerating the crushed particles to produce incinerated ash, a step of converting a magnesium compound contained in the incinerated ash into magnesium hydroxide, and a step of collecting the magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Katsumata, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6793709
    Abstract: A process for recycling an electronic scrap material comprising a metal provided on a polymeric substrate, which method comprises: milling flaked electronic scrap material with a bead impact material in the presence of water to produce flakes of cleaned polymeric substrate; adding water to the milled material and separating the flakes of cleaned polymeric substrate from metal-containing material; dewatering and drying the flakes of cleaned polymeric substrate; and treating the metal-containing material to recover the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: METSS.org, LLC
    Inventors: John S Hall, Michael Scott McRae-Williams, Kenneth James Heater, Robert Mark Hodge
  • Patent number: 6770115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of reclaiming magnesium from post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings by feeding the post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings into a rotary tray dryer and subjecting the post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings to a controlled temperature and atmospheric environment to remove a substantial amount of liquid from the post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Remacor, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Jackman
  • Patent number: 6723179
    Abstract: A soft magnetism metal powder having a majority of particles, each of which, when cross-sectioned, has no greater than ten crystal particles on average, may be coated on an outer surface of each of the particles with a resistive material having a higher resistivity than the underlying parent phase. The soft magnetism metal powder may be prepared by heating a soft magnetism metal powder to a high temperature in a high temperature atmosphere, thereby reducing the number of crystal particles in each of the soft magnetism metal powder particles. A soft magnetism metal formed body may be prepared by pressing the soft magnetism metal particles at a sufficient temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Yagi, Kota Maruyama, Yoshiharu Iyoda, Aiko Nakashima, Toshihisa Terazawa, Naoki Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20030131688
    Abstract: A process for recycling an electronic scrap material comprising a metal provided on a polymeric substrate, which method comprises: milling flaked electronic scrap material with a bead impact material in the presence of water to produce flakes of cleaned polymeric substrate; adding water to the milled material and separating the flakes of cleaned polymeric substrate from metal-containing material; dewatering and drying the flakes of cleaned polymeric substrate; and treating the metal-containing material to recover the metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: John S Hall, Michael Scott McRae-Williams, Kenneth James Heater, Robert Mark Hodge
  • Publication number: 20030115989
    Abstract: In a waste wire harness including electric wires each coated with a resin comprised of an olefin-based resin and magnesium hydroxide as a fire retardant, and including accompanied members having at least one of terminals, connectors, various kind of boxes such as junction boxes and fuse boxes, tapes, tubes, grommets, wiring clips, and protectors, a method for recycling the waste wire harness includes a step of removing the accompanied members from the waste wire harness, a step of crushing the waste wire harness after removing the accompanied members to obtain crushed particles, a step of incinerating the crushed particles to produce incinerated ash, a step of converting a magnesium compound contained in the incinerated ash into magnesium hydroxide, and a step of collecting the magnesium hydroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Katsumata, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6537341
    Abstract: A process for recycling composite materials that comprise fibers and a matrix includes exposing the composite material to electromagnetic waves in the form of microwaves. The electromagnetic waves induce an introduction of energy into the composite material, leading to a separation of fibers and matrix. The separation operation can be assisted by a suitable solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Fritz Dannenhauer, Petra Grundig, Maria-Theresia Sailer
  • Patent number: 6428602
    Abstract: A method for recovering Pt from Pt-bearing coating on a gas turbine engine component. The component is contacted with a chemical stripping agent to dissolve away constituents of the coating and produce a Pt-bearing film of acid oxidation products at the surface of the component. The film is removed from the component to produce a Pt-rich residue containing at least about 10% Pt. The Pt-rich residue is collected and refined to recover Pt therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Rosenzweig, Keith H. Betscher, Christopher J. Cunningham, Howard J. Farr, Leo S. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6425934
    Abstract: A gas generator disposal method capable of disposing of large quantities of gas generators safely, efficiently and without contamination of environments, and a system therefor, the method comprising releasing an air bag deploying gas from an unused gas generator (X) by applying a YAG laser beam (R) to an igniter (P) of the gas generator (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aoki, Tetuo Saitou, Kenjiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6409798
    Abstract: A process for recovering metal material from waste material including organic material and metal material in the form of thin foil metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventors: Jorma Nieminen, Juha Palonen, Markku Itäpelto, Pekka Harkki, Lauri Mäkipaja
  • Publication number: 20020074700
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, recycling a metal by melting it to remove it from metal-containing scrap through the use of a tiltable, swivel rotary furnace, which is swiveled to a first station for receiving metal-containing scrap, tilted back and rotated while heating to melt the metal, swiveled to a second station where it is stopped and forward tilted to quickly pour off the molten metal into a holding apparatus. The furnace is swiveled to a third station where it is further forward tilted and rotated to discharge the residual scrap, and then leveled and swiveled to the first station while still hot to receive metal-containing scrap, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to reheat the furnace to melting temperature. The furnace comprises a hollow elongated drum having a tapered snout, a door closing the front opening, a power rotary drive to rotate the drum, which is mounted for tilting about a transverse axis, and for swiveling about a vertical axis, and a heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: George E. Mansell
  • Patent number: 6325967
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for incinerating certain volatile organic compounds especially odorants commonly used in the natural gas industry. The procedure uses a first (car bottom) furnace as a heating chamber, where precise temperature control during both low and high temperature process stages ensures safe and controlled feed of volatile substances into a second (primary) furnace for incineration. The combustion process is completed in an afterburner and all generated gases are scrubbed in a conventional wet scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Material Resource Recovery SRBP Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Strmen
  • Patent number: 6245122
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming contaminated scrap metal, more particularly an improved reverberatory furnace designed for melting scrap. The amount of hydrocarbons volatilized from the melting of contaminated scrap is measured and the fumes are passed into the main hearth for burning. As the amount of fuel value contained within the fumes increases, the amount of fuel provided to the burner is proportionally reduced while the amount of oxygen is kept constant. This will ensure that the amount of fuel and the amount of oxygen present within the furnace is completely burned without excessive free oxygen or unburned fuel building up within the furnace or furnace exhaust. The burner will be operating under lean fuel conditions or under fuel rich conditions such that the flame temperature is lower than at stoichiometric firing, whereby the burners create reduced NOx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: J. W. Aluminum Company
    Inventor: Frederick N. Meyers
  • Patent number: 6235074
    Abstract: There is provided a process of recovering copper from winding composed of an enameled copper wire having a polyester and/or a polyurethane based insulating coating thereon, and the process includes the steps of immersing the winding into an alkali solution, removing alkali attaching to the winding, and melting the winding using high frequency heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Murano, Fumitoshi Yamashita, Hiroshi Onishi, Yoshikazu Yamagata, Takahiko Terada
  • Patent number: 6228143
    Abstract: A rotary thermal oxidizer removes polymeric and other non-metal components of exhausted batteries and cells leaving value-metals, such as cadmium, nickel, and iron behind for subsequent processing. By preheating the sweep gas to a temperature above the auto-ignition temperature of the polymers, prior to their introduction into the oxidizer, and controlling the oxygen content within the oxidizer the risks of explosion and fire associated with the pyrometallurgical recycling of the cells is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The International Metals Reclamation Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Henry Aiken, Russell R. Bleakney, Richard H. Hanewald, Ahmed Vahed, Anthony Edward Moline Warner
  • Patent number: 6193780
    Abstract: Process for the recovery of aluminum and energy from used aluminum-plastic packages and oven for implementing such process, which comprises a pretreatment for the recovery of paper, the separation of aluminum and of recyclable products by pyrolysis of polyethylene, essentially for their energy content. The product to be treated is passed into a chamber of which the walls are heated to a temperature preferably between 300° C. and 500° C., the walls being inclined in order to collect into a container a heavy fraction from the polyethylene pyrolysis, whereas the light fraction, which volatilizes, is burnt. The process is carried out in an oven which contains a series of trays, and wherein circulates a heating gas. The upper surface of the oven has the shape of an inverted cone, with an orifice at the apex through which passes its axis. The heavy fraction of the pyrolysis drains therethrough and is collected separately from the aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Jose Cases Rocati, M. Desamparados Olmos Ibañez, JoséManuel Cases Olmos, Vincente Enrique Cases Olmos, Pablo Emilio Cases Olmos
  • Patent number: 6149707
    Abstract: This is a method for pyrocleaning that degreases metal components using an oven, an oxidizer, a system gas supply, a system gas exhaust, and heat exchangers. The degreasing is accomplished by first transporting the metal components through the oven and exposing the oil coated metal components to hot gases which have a temperature above the vaporization point of the oil. The hot gases are introduced into the oven by way of the system gas supply that does not include products of combustion (indirect heating). Since the gases are at a temperature above the vaporization point of the oil, upon contact with the metal components, the gases cause the oil to evaporate from the metal components. The resultant hydrocarbon-filled surrounding gases are then evacuated from the oven and transported to the oxidizer. In the oxidizer, the hydrocarbon-filled gases are exposed to a burner that catalyzes the oxidation process. After exiting from the oxidizer, the hydrocarbon-free gases are discharged into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Aziz A. Jamaluddin
  • Patent number: 6139601
    Abstract: A method of simultaneously recycling a plurality of used oil filters involves placing a plurality of the filters into a rectangular compartment having a top, opposite sides, a bottom, and first and second ends. Pressure is exerted on the oil filters in a first longitudinal direction, and a second compressive pressure is imposed on the filters in a second longitudinal direction at a substantial right angle with respect to the first longitudinal direction. The first and second pressures are sufficient to compress the air filters to a substantial self-contained rectangular block. This method produces a self-contained block wherein 90% to 95% of the residual oil in the filters is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Filter Recycling, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Wernimont
  • Patent number: 6077328
    Abstract: A process for purifying waste gases from smelting, resmelting or combustion plant furnaces and the use of the filter dusts produced. The invention is used in particular in the production or preparation of nonferrous metals. According to the invention, at least one alkali compound, in particular NaHCO.sub.3, is injected dry, optionally in the presence of activated carbon and/or open hearth coke, into the waste gas leaving the production process. The separated filter dust is fed back to the smelting or combustion process. It has unexpectedly been found that the returned filter dust can lower the dioxin and furan contents of the crude gas. Owing to the composition of the filter dust, it can also be used as protective salt in secondary aluminum production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Solvay Alkali GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Brockhoff, Klaus Hartmann, Jens Hoeltje, Hans-Juegen Korte
  • Patent number: 5998689
    Abstract: A method for recycling metal parts contaminated by radioactive elements, in particular by .alpha.-emitters, includes forming a melt and a slag from the metal parts and then separating the slag from the melt. The radioactive elements are oxidized prior to the formation of the melt and the slag. For that purpose, the contaminated metal parts are exposed to an oxygen-containing atmosphere for a period at a temperature below the melting temperature of the metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Haas, Nikolaus Neudert, Roland Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5855644
    Abstract: According to the present method it is possible to recover metallic aluminium easily and at high recovery rate and low cost from metallic aluminium containing wastes disposed recently in great amounts, said wastes being, for example, aluminium can, aluminium laminated foil, aluminium scraps, aluminium chips, and any other aluminium containing (or accompanying) material. The invention is technically constituted such that the combustible substances of metallic aluminium containing materials are carbonized in a kiln in an atmosphere where oxygen concentration is not higher than 10% by volume or an atmosphere of a carbon dioxide gas, and which kiln is in the temperature range of 300.degree.-600.degree. C., and after cooling, carbonized material and iron content are separated by sieving or magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Aikoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Takashima
  • Patent number: 5830258
    Abstract: A method of recovering resources in a resin-molded electrical rotating device (1,2) in which electromagnetic members (1a,1b,2a) are molded with resin molding (1c,2c) with fine voids so as to be integrally made into a solid body, and a resin for molding of the rotating device (1,2). The method has the steps of disintegrating the resin molding (1c,2c) by chemically decomposing and/or eluting so as to remove the resin molding (1c,2c) from the electromagnetic members (1a,1b,2a) and separating and recovering at least metal components in the electromagnetic members (1a,1b,2a) as the resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Yamashita, Seiji Kurozumi, Junko Kaneko, Akihiko Watanabe, Hiroshi Ohnishi, Takahiko Terada, Yoshikazu Yamagata
  • Patent number: 5817163
    Abstract: Aluminum scrap containing a carbon-containing coating is cleaned with about 212.degree. F. hot water, and then decarbonized with about 1000.degree. F. superheated steam which produces a carbon-containing volatile from the carbon-containing coating and a decarbonized aluminum scrap. A spent steam and carbon-containing volatile gaseous mixture at about 212.degree. F. is contacted with a warm water filtrate at a nominal temperature of about 132.degree. F., recovered from the process which causes the spent steam to condensed. The condensate at about 212.degree. F. is separated from the carbon-containing volatile and the latter combusted. The combustion products can be used to preheat indirectly other stream in the process or to dry the decarbonized aluminum scrap at a temperature low enough not to cause oxidation of the aluminum scrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Michael James Wood