Using Nonmetallic Material Which Is Liquid Under Standard Conditions (e.g., Hydrometallurgy, Etc.) Patents (Class 75/711)
  • Patent number: 12116650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an autocatalytic reductive chemical procedure with solid-solid interaction in conditions of supersaturation of salts, via the phenomenon of efflorescence in order to dissolve a copper metal, from a metallogenically primary ore or chalcopyrite concentrate that contains same. The method comprises two steps, referred to as “Reductive Activation Step” and “Dry Autocatalytic Reductive Transformation Step” or efflorescence, which can be repeated as many times as necessary to maximise the extraction of copper or base metal of interest. The invention can also be used for sulphurised base metals such as nickel, zinc, cobalt, lead and molybdenum, among others, regardless of the common impurities of sulphurised ores, as occurs with the presence of arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: NOVA MINERALIS S.A.
    Inventors: Tihomir Eduardo Domic Mihovilovic, Esteban Miguel Domic Mihovilovic, Rodrigo Andrés Cortés Cortés
  • Patent number: 11858824
    Abstract: A method for the precipitation of rare earth sulphate, the method including subjecting a crude rare earth sulphate solution to precipitation in the presence of a water soluble, volatile, organic compound to produce a rare earth sulphate precipitate and an acidic supernatant. The organic compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol, tert-butanol, acetone or mixtures thereof, and is preferably methanol. Preferably, the organic compound is used in the precipitation at a weight ratio of between 0.25:1 to 1.5:1, and preferably 0.5:to 1.25:1, with the crude sulphate solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Arafura Resources Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Dean Elliot
  • Patent number: 11459253
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for removing and recovering precious metals, such as platinum-group metals (PGMs), including palladium, from wastewater and waste streams. The invention also relates to systems and methods for recycling the recovered precious metals for catalytic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Chen Zhou, Andrew Marcus, Bruce Rittmann, Zhaocheng Wang, Aura Ontiveros-Valencia, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown
  • Patent number: 10625344
    Abstract: A method for producing copper particles includes a preparation step and a heating step. In the preparation step, a copper compound, a salt of a main group metal, and a polyhydric alcohol are prepared. In the heating step, a mixture of the copper compound, the salt of the main group metal, and the polyhydric alcohol is heated. Preferably, the main group metal is at least one selected from the group consisting of lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, calcium, zinc, gallium, germanium, rubidium, strontium, cadmium, indium, tin, antimony, cesium, and barium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Katsuaki Suganuma, Jinting Jiu
  • Patent number: 9028587
    Abstract: A method is described for obtaining purified 68Ga. The method comprises eluting 68Ga from a sorbent in and/or on which are sorbed 68Ga and 68Ge, so as to generate a crude 68Ga solution. The sorbent should have a higher affinity for 68Ge than for 68Ga. The crude 68Ga solution is then applied to a medium cation exchange resin, and the resin is eluted with an aqueous alcohol so as to retain the 68Ga on the resin and remove unwanted species from the resin. The resin is then eluted with an eluent, which may be an acidic solution, an alkaline solution or a solution of a species capable of complexing 68Ga ions, so as to obtain an eluate comprising purified 68Ga ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Inventor: Van So Le
  • Publication number: 20150114181
    Abstract: A method for allowing production of high-purity perrhenic acid from crude rhenium sulfide by applying a dry process is provided. A method for producing an aqueous solution of perrhenic acid includes 1) a step for roasting rhenium sulfide under an oxygen-containing gas to collect gasified rhenium oxide; 2) a step for cooling and solidifying the gasified rhenium oxide while keeping sulfur oxide entrained in the gasified rhenium oxide a gaseous state, and subsequently performing solid-gas separation, thereby improving purity of rhenium oxide; and 3) a step for dissolving the solidified rhenium oxide into water, or heating and gasifying the solidified rhenium oxide and then dissolving the gasified rhenium oxide into water, to obtain the aqueous solution of perrhenic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: PAN PACIFIC COPPER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ikunobu Sumida, Yuji Kawano, Makoto Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 8992665
    Abstract: Provided is a valuable-metal recovery method for recovering metals from lithium ion batteries using comparatively simple equipment and without using a cumbersome process. In said method, a positive electrode material from lithium ion batteries, containing lithium and a transition metal, is dissolved in an acidic solution, thereby generating lithium ions and ions of the transition metal in the acidic solution. Said acidic solution and a recovery liquid are then made to flow with an anion-permeable membrane interposed therebetween, causing the lithium ions to permeate from the acidic solution to recovery solution. Lithium ions are then recovered from the recovery liquid containing dissolved lithium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Yamaguchi, Takehiko Hasebe, Yasuko Yamada
  • Patent number: 8986424
    Abstract: Method for rhenium recovery from copper solvent extraction solution. It is determined whether the copper solvent extraction solution contains trace amounts of rhenium. If so, a feedstock from the copper solvent extraction solution is provided, which is then filtered, producing filtered feedstock. Trace amounts of rhenium are absorbed from the filtered feedstock using a supply of ion exchange resin selective for rhenium. The ion exchange resin is washed. Trace amounts of rhenium are eluted from the ion exchange resin using a first amount of eluent, a second amount of eluent and a third amount of eluent. The first amount and the third amount of eluent produce supplemental feedstock and the second amount of eluent produces rhenium eluate. The rhenium eluate is collected and the ion exchange resin is protonated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Asarco LLC
    Inventor: Neil Nebeker
  • Patent number: 8969606
    Abstract: These disclosures relate to preparing nickel metal (Ni(0)) suited for use in catalyst systems, such as nickel complexes with phosphorus-containing ligands, useful to catalyze the hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The methods described herein can include use of steam during reduction of nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: INVISTA North America S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Vinay Medhekar, John J. Ostermaier, Michael C. Quinn, III, Colin S. Slaten
  • Publication number: 20150047469
    Abstract: A method for recovering a rare earth element from a rare earth element-containing alloy, wherein a rare earth element is eluted by performing electrolysis in an electrolyte which contains a metal powder of a rare earth element-containing alloy. An object of this invention is to provide a method for extremely easily and efficiently recovering a rare earth element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Eiji Hino, Yuichiro Shindo
  • Patent number: 8951332
    Abstract: Urban ore is a mixture of a lot of metallic elements, and these metallic elements need to be separately collected therefrom. However, because the content of each metallic element is very small, it has been extremely difficult to selectively collect the required metallic element. In order to solve the problem, there is provided a metal-ion adsorbent which is for use in a method for collecting metal ions present in a liquid, and in which a continuously porous support having large numbers of pores of uniform size and shape, and a compound having a metal ion-binding group is chemically bonded to the inner surfaces of the pores, whereby a material and a method with which rare-metal ions contained in urban ore are efficiently and inexpensively taken out are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Sherif El-Safty, Ahmed Shahat Ahmed, Kohmei Halada
  • Publication number: 20150033913
    Abstract: A method for recovering precious metal from an acidic pregnant solution resulting from halogen or hypohalite leaching of an ore, comprising lowering the ORP of the pregnant leachate with a reducing agent in the presence of slurried non-carboneous particles. The precious metal deposits on the surfaces of the particles and a barren solution comprising substantially all the halogen values of the pregnant solution in the form of sodium chloride, sodium bromide or hypohalites is recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Nichromet Extraction Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Lalancette, Bertrand Dubreuil, David Lemieux
  • Patent number: 8926730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering gold by solvent extraction from an acidic chloride-containing aqueous solution or from slurry containing gold-bearing solids using a diester-based reagent that is poorly soluble in water as organic extraction solution. In accordance with the method, gold is extracted extremely effectively, but other precious metals and many other metals quite sparingly. Gold is stripped from the extraction phase with pure water, from which the gold can be reduced either chemically or electrochemically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Erkki Paatero, Mika Haapalainen
  • Publication number: 20150004490
    Abstract: Novel intermetallic materials are provided that are composed of tin and one or more additional metal(s) having a formula M(1-x)-Sn5, where ?0.1?x?0.5, with 0.01?x?0.4 being more preferred and the second metallic element (M) is selected from iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt(Co), nickel (Ni), and a combination of two or more of those metals. Due to low concentration of the second metallic element, the intermetallic compound affords an enhanced capacity applicable for electrochemical cells and may serve as an intermediate phase between Sn and MSn2. A method of synthesizing these intermetallic materials is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: BROOKHAVEN SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Xiao-Liang Wang, Weiqiang Han
  • Publication number: 20140373684
    Abstract: Discloses a hydrometallurgical process and system for the recovery of precious metals; specifically palladium, rhodium, and platinum metals, at high purity and with limited waste and environmental fouling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: STILLWATER MINING COMPANY
    Inventors: Dave Shuck, Jerry Kolstad, Mark Rapkoch, Grenvil Marquis Dunn
  • Patent number: 8900342
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of cobalt comprising: (i) providing a high tenor cobalt solution wherein the high tenor cobalt solution comprises cobalt and nickel; (ii) contacting the high tenor cobalt solution with an N-(2-hydroxypropyl)picolylamine resin to load the N-(2-hydroxypropyl)picolylamine resin with cobalt and nickel; (iii) eluting the cobalt from the loaded N-(2-hydroxypropyl)picolylamine resin; and (iv) eluting the nickel from the loaded N-(2-hydroxypropyl)picolylamine resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Marston, Matthew Rodgers
  • Patent number: 8888891
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovery of a metal using plants. The method for recovery of a metal involves bringing a protonema of a moss plant belonging to the family Funariaceae into contact with a metal-containing solution in which a metal(s) having an ionization tendency lower than that of silver is dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Riken, Dowa Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sakakibara, Misao Itouga, Yukari Komatsu, Satoshi Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20140314641
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing recovery of value sulfide and/or precious-metal minerals from an ore containing said minerals and a Mg-silicate, slime forming mineral, and/or clay, and which is subjected to a froth flotation process, by adding to one or more stage of the froth flotation process a froth phase modifier having a polymer containing one or more functional groups, and optionally a monovalent ion modifier enhancing agent, thereby enhancing recovery of a value sulfide mineral and/or a precious metal-bearing mineral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: CYTEC TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Devarayasamudram Ramachandran NAGARAJ, Tarun BHAMBHANI, Mukund VASUDEVAN, Puspendu DEO, Haunn-Lin Tony CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140298954
    Abstract: Recovering gold from gold-loaded fine carbon by application of thermo-kinetic chemical activation regime at a low temperature, while preventing vitrification of imputies found in the gold-loaded fine carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Ruben ARZUMANYAN, Vladimir MATOSYAN
  • Patent number: 8852317
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology for recovering high-content tantalum from tantalum-containing waste with reducing various impurities such as antimony (Sb) and phosphorus (P) which hinder reuse of the tantalum in tantalum capacitors. The method for recovering tantalum from tantalum-containing waste according to the present invention is characterized in that tantalum-containing waste is subjected to an acid treatment and then to an alkali treatment, thereby recovering tantalum. The acid treatment is preferably performed with use of an acid containing hydrochloric acid and the alkali treatment is preferably performed with use of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The tantalum-containing waste in the present invention is preferably a tantalum sintered compact collected from a tantalum capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mami Yoshida, Kenji Matsuzaki, Tatsuya Aoki, Rintaro Ishii
  • Publication number: 20140255247
    Abstract: A method for producing highly pure platinum on an industrial scale, as well as the use of said highly pure platinum. According to the method, a hexahalogenoplatinate is reduced to platinum in acidic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: HERAEUS PRECIOUS METALS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim KRALIK, Martin STETTNER, Hermann VON EIFF, Jan SCHAPP
  • Publication number: 20140239237
    Abstract: Electrically conductive nanowires, and genetically or chemically modified production and use of such nanowires with altered conductive, adhesive, coupling or other properties are described. The disclosed nanowires are used as device or device components or may be adapted for soluble metal remediation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gemma REGUERA, Dena COLOGGI, Robert Mark WORDEN, Angelines A. CASTRO-FORERO, Rebecca STEIDL
  • Patent number: 8815151
    Abstract: Nanowire preparation methods, compositions, and articles are disclosed. Such methods which reduce metal ions to metal nanowires in the presence complexes comprising metal-metal bonds, are capable of producing long, narrow, nanowires useful for electronics and optical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Whitcomb
  • Publication number: 20140230604
    Abstract: A process for using an aqueous oxidizing solution includes at least steps of formulating the aqueous oxidizing solution by addition of ingredients to water; a metal solubilization step of oxidizing and thereby rendering soluble a desired at least one metal from a ground amount of ore in suspension; collecting a pregnant liquor from the suspension; and selectively removing at least a portion of the at least one metal from the liquor while at a pH of less than 3, such that any remaining liquid is a recyclable liquor. The aqueous oxidizing solution has a pH of less than 0.7 primarily as a result of the presence of at least one strong acid and persulphate anions. The aqueous oxidizing solution contains anions selected from a group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide and nitrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Marino Pavlovich, Craig Rothwell Hughes, Brendan Allan Woodley
  • Publication number: 20140231041
    Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron and silica compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain concentration of silica ranging from 0 to 80 mg/kg and concentration of iron ranging from 0 to 300 mg/kg. Exemplary compositions of the reduced silica and iron brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like arsenic, barium, lead, and lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Simbol Inc
    Inventors: Stephen Harrison, John Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20140187452
    Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron, silica, and manganese compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions contain a concentration of manganese less than 10 mg/kg, a concentration of silica ranging from less than 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of iron less than 10 mg/kg, and the treated geothermal brine is derived from a Salton Sea geothermal reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Simbol Inc
    Inventors: Stephen Harrison, John Burba, III
  • Patent number: 8764880
    Abstract: The present invention provides phosphinic acids and their sulfur derivatives, in accordance with the following formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are different and each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from an organic radical that branches at the alpha carbon and an organic radical that branches at the beta carbon, and each of X and Y is independently O or S, and wherein said compound is a liquid at room temperature. Compounds of formula (I) find utility for example as metal extractants. Also provided are methods for making compounds of formula (I) and their corresponding phosphine intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cytec Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Yuehui Zhou, Jeffrey Charles Henry Dyck, Boban Jakovljevic, Cyril Christian Henri Bourget, Allan James Robertson, Donato Nucciarone
  • Patent number: 8728198
    Abstract: A method of recovering metal from heap leached ore is provided. The method includes supplying process fluid to a tank, distributing heap leached ore in the tank, optionally disrupting the flow of ore through the tank, creating a pregnant solution and discharging the process fluid, heap leached ore and pregnant solution from the tank to recover additional metal from the heap leached ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Soil Water Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William K. Morrow, Stephen A. Morrow, Robert B. Valceschini
  • Publication number: 20140110621
    Abstract: Methods for purifying one or more value materials are provided. The method can include contacting an aqueous mixture comprising a value material and a contaminant with a dispersant and a depressant to produce a treated mixture. A weight ratio of the dispersant to the depressant can be from about 1:1 to about 30:1. The method can also include recovering a purified product comprising the value material from the treated mixture. The purified product can have a reduced concentration of the contaminant relative to the aqueous slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Kerns, Pablo G. Dopico, John B. Hines
  • Publication number: 20140109725
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of gold from a gold-bearing aqueous filtrate, the process comprising the steps of: (A) Contacting the aqueous filtrate with dibutyl carbitol (DBC) in a two-stage solvent extraction process to remove the gold from the aqueous filtrate into the DBC to form a gold-loaded DBC; and (D) Contacting the gold-loaded DBC with an aqueous acid scrub of hydrochloric acid in a four-stage countercurrent scrub process to remove impurities, e.g., non-gold metal, from the DBC into the aqueous scrub solution to form an impurity-loaded aqueous scrub. Each stage of the solvent extraction circuit and the aqueous acid scrub circuit is equipped with a mixing assembly and a phase separation tank in a head-tail arrangement such that the mixing assembly of one stage is adjacent to the phase separation tank of the adjacent stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Kennecott Utah Copper LLC
    Inventors: Shijie Wang, Daniel Kim
  • Patent number: 8702838
    Abstract: A method for recovering a metal, capable of recovering a metal easily without requiring the use of an organic medium, is provided. A complex between a chelating agent and a metal present in a sample is formed in a mixture prepared by mixing the chelating agent and the sample under pH conditions where the chelating agent can be insoluble in an aqueous medium. Then, the complex is recovered from the mixture, and further, the metal is recovered by dissolving the recovered complex in an aqueous medium under pH conditions that are different from the pH conditions where the chelating agent can be insoluble in an aqueous medium. By this method, a metal can be recovered easily without requiring the use of the use of an organic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuka Shimomura, Mayumi Yamada
  • 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: 20140033868
    Abstract: Problem: To provide a material and a method for efficient and inexpensive extraction of rare metals that are included in urban minerals. Solution: A method for the extraction of lanthanoid elements and actinoid elements, said method comprising: an adsorption process wherein a metal-dissolved solution containing a target metal selected from lanthanoid elements and actinoid elements is made to come into contact with porous structures that carry metal-adsorbent compounds that are adsorbent to target metal ions so that the target metal ions in said solution are adsorbed by said metal-adsorbent compounds; and a target metal separation process wherein said porous structures are made to come into contact with a back-extraction solution so that the target metal ions that are adsorbed by said metal-absorbent compounds are transported to the back-extraction solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Sherif Elsafty, Kohmei Halada
  • Publication number: 20140026715
    Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of noble metal-containing mixtures for a process for processing them by heating the mixture, preferably for processing them by means of an ashing process. This provision is characterized by the following measures: (a) moistening of the noble metal-containing mixture to be processed, (b) introduction of the moistened noble metal-containing mixture into at least one container which serves as diffusion barrier for water, and (c) introduction of the loaded container into a heat-resistant chamber together with at least one upper refractory mat. The noble metal-containing mixture is preferably moistened in the presence of a porous material and the chamber is closed by means of a heat-resistant covering. The invention further provides a processing process comprising the provision of noble metal-containing mixtures and also the heat-resistant chamber loaded with noble metal-containing mixtures itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Zimmermann, Robert Hartmann, Oswald Kinz, Matthias Grehl
  • Patent number: 8623115
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precious metal recovery process in which an acid sulfidic feed material is subjected to acid pressure oxidation and an alkaline sulfidic feed material is subjected to alkaline pressure oxidation, with the discharge slurries from the pressure oxidation processes being combined to reduce neutralization requirements prior to precious metal recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Barrick Gold Corporation
    Inventors: John William Langhans, Jr., Wilson Chung-Yeh Tsu
  • Publication number: 20140000413
    Abstract: Discloses a hydrometallurgical process and system for the recovery of precious metals; specifically palladium, rhodium, and platinum metals, at high purity and with limited waste and environmental fouling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Dave SHUCK, Jerry KOLSTAD, Mark RAPKOCH, Grenvil Marquis DUNN
  • Patent number: 8613888
    Abstract: Nanowire preparation methods, compositions, and articles are disclosed. Such nanowires may be thicker than other nanowires and may be useful in devices requiring high electrical current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Whitcomb, William D. Ramsden, Doreen C. Lynch
  • Patent number: 8609898
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel separation reagent capable of obtaining a high extraction % of rhodium in a chlorine-based acid solution, which has never existed heretofore, and a method for separating and recovering a platinum group metal using the same. An organic phase composed of an amide-containing tertiary amine separation reagent represented by the structural formula shown below is brought into contact with an acid solution containing a platinum group metal, thereby extracting rhodium, platinum and palladium with the organic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hirokazu Narita, Mikiya Tanaka, Kazuko Morisaku
  • Publication number: 20130319178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering at least one platinoid element contained in an acidic aqueous solution comprising chemical elements other than said platinoid element, said process comprising the following steps: a step of bringing said acidic aqueous solution into contact with a reducing amount of a reducing agent which is a non-sulphurous and non-glucidic alcoholic compound chosen from cyclic, optionally aromatic, alcohols and aliphatic polyols, by means of which said platinoid element is reduced to its 0 oxidation state; a step of separating said thus reduced platinoid element from said acidic aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Frédéric Goettmann, Bernhard Smutek, Agnes Grandjean
  • Publication number: 20130312570
    Abstract: A process for purifying Mo-99 from an acidic solution obtained by dissolving an irradiated solid target comprising uranium in an acidic medium, or from an acidic solution comprising uranium and which has previously been irradiated in a nuclear reactor, or from an acidic solution comprising uranium and which has been used as reactor fuel in a homogeneous reactor, the process comprising contacting the acidic solution with an adsorbent comprising a zirconium oxide, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium alkoxide, zirconium halide and/or zirconium oxide halide, and eluting the Mo-99 from the adsorbent using a solution of a strong base, the eluate then being subjected to a subsequent purification process involving an alkaline-based Mo-99 chromato-graphic recovery step on an anion exchange material. Also provided is apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Luis A.M.M. Barbosa
  • Publication number: 20130283976
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of gold from a gold-bearing ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of leaching the gold-bearing ore or concentrate with a lixiviant of hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride at atmospheric pressure at a temperature of at least 90° C. and an Eh of at least 900 mV. After a liquid/solids separation step, the solution obtained is subjected to an organic solvent extraction step using an oxime to obtain a solution of organic solvent containing gold, which is stripped with sodium thiosulphate to recover gold. The extraction may be operated to extract gold with or without iron. Materials used in the process may be recycled. The process avoids environmental and other hazards associated with the use of cyanide to extract gold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Vaikuntam I. Lakshmanan, Ramamritham Sridhar, M. A. Halim
  • Publication number: 20130281726
    Abstract: To provide a method for recovering a precious metal from a solution containing precious metal ions, an extracting agent or adsorbent used therefor, and a back-extracting agent or desorbent. An extracting agent or adsorbent in which precious metal ions are extracted or adsorbed, is brought into contact with a back-extracting agent or desorbent containing a sulfur-containing amino acid derivative represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 is a methyl group, an ethyl group, a vinyl group, a C3-8 linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group, or a C6-14 aromatic hydrocarbon group, R2's are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a vinyl group, a C3-8 linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group or a C6-14 aromatic hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 or 1, to obtain a solution containing the precious metal ions, which is subjected to a reduction treatment to obtain a precious metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: TOSOH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukinori Suso, Takashi Sakaki
  • Publication number: 20130276586
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide new methods of rhenium recovery. The methods can include subjecting a metal-bearing solution to an activated carbon bed, and adsorbing rhenium onto the activated carbon. The methods can also include heating a basic aqueous elution solution and eluting the rhenium from the activated carbon with the heated elution solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Brett T. Waterman, Steve Nels Dixon, Theresa Linne Morelli, George Owusu, Stefka Todorova Ormsby
  • Publication number: 20130236378
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the selective recovery of manganese and zinc from geothermal brines that includes the steps of removing silica and iron from the brine, oxidizing the manganese and zinc to form precipitates thereof, recovering the manganese and zinc precipitates, solubilizing the manganese and zinc precipitates, purifying the manganese and zinc, and forming a manganese precipitate, and recovering the zinc by electrochemical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Simbol Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Harrison, Samaresh Mohanta
  • Patent number: 8500846
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a novel rare metal extractant containing a cyclic phenol sulfide derivative of the formula (1) and a method for extractive separation of rare metal(s) using the rare metal extractant with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Akita University
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kondo, Chun-bin Li, Manabu Yamada, Fumio Hamada
  • Patent number: 8491700
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide new methods of rhenium recovery. The methods can include subjecting a metal-bearing solution to an activated carbon bed, and adsorbing rhenium onto the activated carbon. The methods can also include heating a basic aqueous elution solution and eluting the rhenium from the activated carbon with the heated elution solution. The methods can also incorporate an ion exchange as a rhenium recovery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: Brett T. Waterman, Steve Nels Dixon, Theresa Linne Morelli, George Owusu, Stefka Todorova Ormsby
  • Publication number: 20130184499
    Abstract: A reduced metallic catalyst or pre-activated catalyst is formed by contacting a precursor catalyst or a reduced metallic catalyst with a modifier solution in the presence of a source of hydrogen and heat treating the precursor catalyst or the reduced metallic catalyst at super-atmospheric pressure to obtain the reduced metallic catalyst from the precursor catalyst or the pre-activated catalyst from the reduced metallic catalyst. A method of hydrogenating a hydrogenatable precursor includes providing a reduced metallic catalyst or the pre-activated catalyst prepared with modifier buffer and contacting the reduced metallic catalyst or pre-activated catalyst with the hydrogenatable precursor in the presence of hydrogen and, optionally, in the presence of a modifier solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BioAmber International S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: BioAmber International S.a.r.l.
  • Patent number: 8486310
    Abstract: A composition containing fine silver particles which have a uniform particle size, can form a fine drawing pattern, and have a small environmental impact, a method for producing that composition, a method for producing fine silver particles, and a paste having fine silver particles are provided. The fine silver particles are produced by carrying out a fluid preparation step of preparing a reduction fluid, a silver reaction step, and a filtration/washing step. The reaction step is carried out by adding an aqueous silver nitrate fluid to a reduction fluid whose temperature has been increased to a range between 40 and 800 ° C. The aqueous silver nitrate fluid is added at a stretch. The composition containing fine silver particles is produced by dispersing the composition containing the fine silver particles in a polar fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dowa Electronics Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hisaeda, Toshihiko Ueyama
  • Patent number: 8486355
    Abstract: A method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore, the method comprising the method steps of: curing the non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore to be leached through the application of an aqueous solution of a cobalt reducing agent selected from the group: iron (II) salts, sulfite salts, sulfur dioxide, and combinations thereof; at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5° C. and about 65° C.; wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent is between about 1.0 and 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Metaleach Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Leslie Sutcliffe, Garry Mervyn Johnston, Nicholas James Welham
  • Publication number: 20130139649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to chelating resins containing methyleneaminoethylsulfonic acid groups, a process for producing them and also their use for removing heavy metals or metals of value from aqueous solutions having a pH of <4, preferably from process water in or from the electronics industry, the electroplating industry or the mining industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schelhaas, Pierre Vanhoorne, Reinhold Klipper, Georg Martin