Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing copper from lithium ion battery scrap containing copper, comprising a leaching step of adding the lithium ion battery scrap to an acidic solution and leaching the lithium ion battery scrap under a condition that an aluminum solid is present in the acidic solution; and a copper separating step of separating copper contained in the acidic solution as a solid from the acidic solution, after the leaching step.

Abstract: An aqueous cobalt chloride solution purification method, in which impurities can be efficiently removed from a cobalt salt solution, includes bringing metallic nickel into contact with an aqueous solution containing cobalt chloride to remove an impurity by a substitution reaction, in which the pH of the aqueous solution containing cobalt chloride is adjusted to not less than 1.5 and not more than 2.5. Since the pH of the aqueous solution containing cobalt chloride is adjusted to not less than 1.5 and not more than 2.5, a passive film on a surface of the metallic nickel can be effectively removed, and the metallic nickel comes in contact with the aqueous solution containing cobalt chloride, so that an impurity more noble than the metallic nickel can be precipitated by the substitution reaction. The metallic nickel is only brought into contact with the aqueous solution containing cobalt chloride, and the impurity can be easily removed.

Abstract: Metalized web substrate is wet etched in a reaction vessel by contacting with oxidizing and metal complexing agent to remove metal from unpatterned region. Following etching, substrate is rinsed, and rinse is at least partly recycled. Concentrations of oxidizing and metal complexing agents in the etchant bath are maintained by delivering replenishment feeds of each. Concentration of metal in the etchant bath is maintained by discharging some of the etchant bath. Replenishment rates of oxidizing and metal complexing agents and etchant removal rate are determined based at least in part on rate that metal etched from the substrate enters the etchant bath.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for recovering metals from bottom ash from incineration plants, such as municipal waste incineration plants. The process includes directing a feed containing ash into an oxidizing unit, wherein at least part of the metals is oxidized in the presence of one or more acids and at least one oxygen donor, thus producing a stream comprising metal ions. From this stream the metals of interest are selected and converted into metallic form.

Abstract: A process for recovering a metal chloride or mixed metal chloride from a solid waste material comprising recoverable metal containing constituents produced by lead, copper or zinc smelting and refining processes, said process comprising the steps of: (i) heating the solid waste material; (ii) treating the heated material of step (i) with a gaseous chloride to form a gaseous metal chloride containing product; and (iii) treating the gaseous metal chloride containing product of step (ii) to recover the metal chloride or mixed metal chloride. The metal chloride may be further treated to extract the metal itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recovering precious metals including silver and gold, rare metals including indium and gallium, base metals including copper, lead and zinc or a combination of precious, rare and base metals from complex oxide ores, sulfide ores or oxide and sulphide ores using an acid chloride oxidizing leach.

Abstract: A purification method of zinc sulfate leachate is provided. The purification method of zinc sulfate leachate comprises contacting the zinc sulfate leachate with a zinc powder under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form solution containing a precipitate of impurity metal; and removing the precipitate of impurity metal from the solution and getting a purified zinc sulfate leachate. A purified zinc sulfate leachate may be prepared with a higher purification efficiency and a lower energy consumption than prior art.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system used in the liquid-liquid extraction of metals, enabling the amount of organic solution required in the various stages of extraction to be significantly reduced. In accordance with the invention, the settler unit of one step belonging to an extraction system is selected to function also as the organic solution storage and pumping tank.

Abstract: Methods and systems for heavy metal separation and recovery from heavy metal-containing sludge or wastes. The method utilizes ultrasonic treatment assisted acid leaching process to separate and recover different heavy metals from multi metals-containing sludge. The technique can be cost effectively implemented for heavy metal separation and purification processes in the real world at industrial scales.

Abstract: A Cu-based material 5 is immersed into an alkali hydroxide solution with a concentration of 3.0 to 37.5 mass % and a H2O2 solution with a concentration of 3.0 to 50.0 mass % is added in the alkali hydroxide solution, a temperature of the alkali hydroxide solution when the Cu-based material is immersed ranges from 60 to 105° C., a ratio A/B between a mol number A of alkali hydroxide in the alkali hydroxide solution and a mol number B of H2O2 in the H2O2 solution is 10 or more, and where a mol number of Sn in the Sn layer is C and a mol number of Sn in the CuSn layer is D, B?C×2+D×6.

Abstract: A method for extracting and concentrating copper values from copper-I leach liquors that are economically non-viable using conventional SX-EW or known conventional configurations of IX. The novel process scheme is compatible and advantageous for use with a multi-port valve CIX system, a suitable membrane separation system and a selective scrubbing technique to control iron.

Abstract: An industrial waste stream recycling method for recovery of high purity zinc oxide products and other chemical and metal values from industrial waste streams containing zinc compounds by leaching the waste stream with a solution of 30% or greater by weight ammonium chloride, resulting in a first product solution and undissolved materials; adding zinc metal to the first product solution, whereby zinc-displaceable metal ions contained in the first product solution are displaced by the zinc metal and precipitate out of the first product solution as metals, leaving a second product solution; and diluting the second product solution with water, resulting in the precipitation of zinc oxide.

Abstract: A method for reducing the formation of Zn(NH4)4Cl2 from ZnO/NH4Cl solutions formed during an industrial waste stream recycling method useful for the recovery of high purity zinc oxide products and other chemical and metal values from industrial waste streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for producing zinc oxide from a zinc-bearing material. The process according to the present invention comprises the steps of leaching the complex sulfide material with hydrochloric acid and oxygen; precipitating iron from the leach solution using magnesium oxide and oxygen; removing copper, silver, cadmium, cobalt and lead from the leach solution by cementation with zinc dust; precipitating zinc oxide from the leach solution using magnesium oxide; and spray roasting the remaining magnesium chloride leach solution to regenerate hydrochloric acid and magnesium oxide. The present invention further relates to processes for recovering copper, silver, lead, and iron from complex sulfide materials.

Abstract: An industrial waste stream recycling method for recovery of high purity zinc oxide products and other chemical and metal values from industrial waste streams containing zinc compounds by leaching the waste stream with a solution of 30% or greater by weight ammonium chloride, resulting in a first product solution and undissolved materials; adding zinc metal to the first product solution, whereby zinc-displaceable metal ions contained in the first product solution are displaced by the zinc metal and precipitate out of the first product solution as metals, leaving a second product solution; and diluting the second product solution with water, resulting in the precipitation of zinc oxide.

Abstract: The specification describes an analytical technique for determining trace levels of copper in a background matrix of titanium by dissolving the titanium and the copper impurity in HF, then selectively depositing the copper on a clean silicon surface. The silicon surface is then analyzed for the trace level of copper.

Abstract: Method for recovering etchant from etching waste liquid 11 containing iron chloride is disclosed, wherein iron powder is mixed with iron chloride waste solution containing metal ions having a lesser ionization tendency than iron ion in an mixing vessel so as to cause a reaction between the iron powder and the metal ions and remove the precipitated metal from the iron chloride waste solution.

Abstract: A method for recovering metals from solutions is described. A particular embodiment of the method concerns recovering copper metal from aqueous solutions containing copper ions, such as ammoniacal circuit-board etching solutions. A working embodiment of the invention includes first treating a solution containing copper ions with a sufficient amount of an acid to obtain a solution pH of from about 1 to less than about 2.5. A reducing metal, such as iron, is then added to the solution to precipitate metal ions as metals. The reducing metal has a mesh size of about 230 or greater. The metal precipitate is recovered from the solution. The method is generally sufficiently efficient to allow discharge of solutions treated according to the method of the invention into public waste waters wherein the solution has less than about 5 ppm, and preferably less than 2 ppm, metal ions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the hydrometallurgical separation and recovery of biological nutrients, cadmium, lead, and gypsum from raw materials such as electric arc furnace flue dust. Biological nutrients, including zinc and iron, are selectively separated and recovered from raw materials, including metals and metal oxides, and are selectively and variably recombined, to achieve a biological nutrient product which a desired relative concentration of zinc and iron. The process is a closed system generating no solid waste, no liquid water or acid waste streams, and whereby gypsum, and substantially all hazardous wastes such as lead and cadmium, are separated and recovered from raw material for sale as commercial products.

Abstract: Electric arc furnace production of recycled steel is plagued by the formation of an iron-depleted, metal-rich electric arc flue dust (EAFD). In the present invention, we recover at least about 85 wt. % of the base metals in the EAFD (i.e., lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc) as high quality metals products without producing any solid, liquid, of gaseous wastes. We use a recyclable calcium chloride/hydrochloric acid leach mill solution to extract the base metals form the EAFD in a reactor under a controlled pH of about 2.6 at an elevated temperature and pressure in an oxygen environment wherein the solids content in the reaction slurry is about 15-30 wt. %. In this way, we place the base metals in solution while leaving the iron as a solid hematite iron complex. When separated from the metal-rich solution, the solid hematite iron complex is recycled to the electric arc furnace. The base metals are precipitated and recovered.

Abstract: A method for recovering metals from solutions is described. A particular embodiment of the method concerns recovering copper metal from aqueous solutions containing copper ions, such as ammoniacal circuit-board etching solutions. A working embodiment of the invention comprises first treating a solution containing copper ions with a sufficient amount of an acid to obtain a solution pH of from about 1 to less than about 2.5. A reducing metal, such as iron, is then added to the solution to precipitate metal ions as metals. The reducing metal has a mesh size of about 230 or greater. The metal precipitate is recovered from the solution. The method is generally sufficiently efficient to allow discharge of solutions treated according to the method of the invention into public waste waters wherein the solution has less than about 5 ppm, and preferably less than 2 ppm, metal ions.

Abstract: Apparatus for liquid extraction is described. The apparatus includes a mixer to which a solvent stream (15) and a feed stream (16) are fed and in which they are mixed to form a flow stream or dispersion. The flow stream is fed to a two-stage settler (17) having a first settling stage (31) and a second settling stage (32). The first settling stage (31) is dimensioned such that primary phase separation occurs in the first settling stage (31), whilst secondary phase separation occurs in the second settling stage (32). The volume of the first settling stage (31) is less than that of the second settling stage (32).A process for liquid extraction, and a method for retrofitting a conventional mixer-settler are also described.

Abstract: Impurity streams generated during the metallurgy of copper are hydrometallurgically processed at ambient pressure for recovery of primary values in an energy-efficient manner and with the capture and conversion of metallic impurities to states that are acceptable for disposal into the environment. Hallmark features of the various embodiments of this invention include the water leach of flue dust, a controlled acid leach stage in which metal species are solubilized, the extraction of copper as a sulfide, and the ability to operate the various process stages at essentially ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method for the production of an enriched iron product, specifically direct reduced iron and iron oxide suitable for use as the feedstock for steel mills, from industrial waste streams containing iron, by combining an iron oxide rich material such as mill scale and/or used batteries with the waste streams, treating the combined waste stream with an ammonium chloride leaching solution, separating the undissolved precipitates comprising iron compounds from the leachant solution, and further treating the undissolved precipitants by elevated temperature roasting, resulting in the iron feedstocks.

Abstract: A method for recovering metals from solutions is described. A particular embodiment of the method concerns recovering copper metal. The method comprises first treating a solution containing copper ions with a sufficient amount of an inorganic acid to obtain a solution pH of from about 1.5 to less than about 2.5. A reducing metal, such as iron, is then added to the solution to precipitate metal ions, such as copper ions, as metals. The reducing metal has a mesh size preferably smaller than about 350, and even more preferably at least as small as about 400 mesh. The metal precipitate is recovered from solution.

Abstract: Copper is extracted from ore by crushing copper bearing ore followed by heap leaching with sulfuric acid and then moving the resulting solution to a tank containing scrap iron and agitating the solution to precipitate the copper. The tank possesses at least one gate for retaining the scrap iron, which gate is disposed above the bottom of the tank and has a mesh of at least one square inch.

Abstract: The invention relates to the removal of detrimental metal ions represented by Cu ion from a hydrofluoric acid solution for use in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices to clean silicon wafer surfaces. The acid solution is brought into contact with silicon granules which are used for the adsorption of the detrimental metal ions. To enhance the adsorption power and the rate of adsorption, the silicon granules are treated in advance to deposit a metal which is lower in ionization tendency than silicon on the surface of each silicon granule so as to partly cover the silicon granule surface by the deposited metal. Particularly Au or Ag is suitable as the metal deposited on the silicon granules.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of copper from a sulphide copper ore or concentrate comprises the steps of subjecting the ore or concentrate to agitation leaching at an elevated temperature and pressure to obtain a resulting acidic leach liquor containing dissolved copper and reducing the acidity of the resulting acidic leach liquor by effecting percolation leaching of a bed of low-grade copper ore or granular rock with the acidic leach liquor. The agitation leaching is carried out in two stages, i.e. a first leaching step at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of oxygen and an acidic chloride solution as lixiviant and a second leaching step at atmospheric pressure with an acidic sulphate solution. In a preferred embodiment, the bed of low-grade copper ore or granular rock is in the form of a heap and the percolation leaching comprises heap leaching. Copper is extracted from the leach liquor by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Geothermal brine is passed through a zone containing a packing metal so as to reduce its tendency to deposit iron/silica scale, reduce corrosivity of the brine, and/or remove and recover metals from the brine. The method polishes the geothermal brine by contacting the brine with a packing metal higher in the electromotive series than silver for a time sufficient for a precious metals to precipitate onto the packing at brine temperature and pH conditions which inhibit iron-rich silica scale. Most preferably, the contacting is accomplished near an injection well at the end of a heat extraction process and the packing comprises coiled zinc-galvanized steel chicken wire mesh packed in a sufficient density to also act as a filter for suspended particles. Alternatively, contacting is also accomplished near the production well. Dissolving the packing in a suitable acid leaves a precious metal-rich residue behind for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: Geothermal brines are passed through a bed of an anionic resin selective to the removal of boron while maintaining a pH value between about 4 to 5.5 to load the boron on the resin from which the boron is thereafter recovered. If the brine contains large quantities of constituents have Lewis acidities greater than boric acid, these constituents are preferably removed before the boron is recovered. The invention is particularly applicable to geothermal brines of temperature above ambient, e.g., 90.degree. C. and above, such as 95.degree. C. and above.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of copper from a copper ore or concentrate comprises first subjecting the ore or concentrate to agitation leaching at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of oxygen and water to obtain a resulting acidic leach liquor which contains dissolved copper. The acidity of the resulting acidic leach liquor is then reduced by affecting percolation leaching of a bed of low grade copper ore or waste rock with the resulting acidic leach liquor, whereby the pH of the leach liquor is raised, for example to a value of about 1.5 to 2. In a preferred embodiment the bed of low grade ore or waste rock is in the form of a heap and the percolation leaching comprises heap leaching.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for polishing geothermal brines containing iron-rich silica scale and silica particles suspended therein while removing and recovering copper, silver and other precious metals dissolved therein. The method comprises passing brine having a pH just below about 5.0 through a conduit packed with a metal higher in the electromotive series than silver for a time sufficient for a substantial portion of the copper and silver therein to precipitate onto the packing. Preferably, the packing comprises coiled zinc-galvanized steel chicken wire mesh packed in a sufficient density to act as a filter for said suspended particles. Dissolving the packing in a suitable acid will leave a precious metal-rich residue behind for subsequent recovery. When the brine is treated in accordance with this method, the useful life of injection wells used to return cooled brine back to the geothermal field is extended by at least about 3 time as compared to that observed with untreated brine.

Abstract: Geothermal brine is passed through a zone containing a packing metal so as to reduce its tendency to deposit iron/silica scale, reduce corrosivity of the brine, and/or remove and recover metals from the brine. The method polished the geothermal brine by contacting the brine with a packing metal higher in the electromotive series than silver for a time sufficient for a precious metals to precipitate onto the packing at brine temperature and pH conditions which inhibit iron-rich silica scale. Most preferably, the contacting is accomplished near an injection well at the end of a heat extraction process and the packing comprises coiled zinc-galvanized steel chicken wire mesh packed in a sufficient density to also act as a filter for suspended particles. Alternatively, contacting is also accomplished near the production well. Dissolving the packing in a suitable acid leaves a precious metal-rich residue behind for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing copper ions from highly acidic waste water generated during the manufacture of dyes or pigments or intermediates thereof. The waste water is exposed at a pH less than about 1 to a bed of suspended iron particles, preferably a fluidized bed of iron particles, having a particle size of from about 200 to about 950 micrometers.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions react with ferrous dithionite in acidic aqueous solution. They are reduced to metallic particles that are suitable for recycling and reuse when recovered from the acidic water. When chelating agents are present, they are deactivated by bonding to the ferrous ions. Ferrous dithionite, (FeS.sub.2 O.sub.4) is either generated in-situ or ferrous ions and dithionite ions can be provided by other methods.

Abstract: A method for the extraction of metals such as copper from ore of the same which involves re-cycling of the barren solution back to the leach pad from the various steps in the process which results in an environmentally clean leach pad with usable gravel for other uses and a high percentage yield of copper percipitate.

Abstract: A reactor for recovering metals such as copper, tin and lead from concentrated, acidic aqueous solutions includes a reaction vessel retaining a bed of scrap aluminum in a packed bed above the bottom of the vessel; a plenum below the packed bed of scrap aluminum, and a filter situated within the plenum, including a first perforated pipe enclosing a coaxial second perforated pipe, through which liquid can be filtered and withdrawn for recirculation into the reactor above the packed bed of scrap aluminum. Metal recovery is effected by reduction of metal ions in solution and precipitation onto the scrap aluminum. Multiple reactor systems including equipment required for pH adjustment of the wastewater also may be used.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for polishing geothermal brines containing iron-rich silica scale and silica particles suspended therein while removing and recovering copper, silver and other precious metals dissolved therein. The method comprises passing brine having a pH just below about 5.0 through a conduit packed with a metal higher in the electromotive series than silver for a time to sufficient for substantially all of the silver and other precious metals therein to precipitate onto the packing. Preferably, the packing comprises coiled zinc-galvanized steel chicken wire mesh packed in a sufficient density to act as a filter for said suspended particles. Dissolving the packing in a suitable acid will leave a precious metal-rich residue behind for subsequent recovery. When the brine is treated this process, the useful life of injection wells used to return cooled brine back to the geothrmal field is extended by at least about 3 times as compared to that observed with untreated brine.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for recovering metal values from jarosite-containing materials by leaching with a calcium chloride solution at a temperature above about the atmospheric boiling point of the solution and under at least the autogenous pressure.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the removal of high concentrations of impurities including antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) contained in flue dusts produced during the smelting of copper. To effect the separation, the flue dust is slurried to about 10-30 weight percent solids. Then slurry is fed to gravity separation equipment, where the lighter impurities fraction segregates from the heavier revenue metals fraction. The segregated high copper concentrate is then washed while the tailings are neutralized by lime milk, dewatered and recovered as tailings cake. The wash solution together with the thickener overflow is subjected to copper cementation to recover the dissolved copper in the solution. The lighter impurities fraction can be subjected to acid leaching in order to further recover copper therefrom.

Abstract: Heavy metals are reclaimed from a concentrated wastewater solution containing heavy metal cations and an acid by adding to the wastewater a bed of scrap aluminum in a total amount between about 160% and about 180% of the stoichiometric requirement for complete reduction of the dissolved heavy metal cations to their elemental states and adjusting the acid content of the wastewater to 5% to 20% by volume and allowing the heavy metal cations to react with the scrap aluminum to oxidize the aluminum and to reduce the heavy metal cations to their elemental states thereby producing demetallized wastewater which is neutralized with caustic to produce a treated effluent.

Abstract: A process of refining zinc oxide from roasted zinc sulphide bearing concentrates comprises leaching the concentrate in an aqueous sulphur dioxide solution under controlled conditions providing selective separation of zinc from other elements contained in the concentrate. The zinc bisulphite solution so obtained is separated from the remaining solids and is heat treated, preferably with steam, to precipitate zinc monosulphite crystals, possibly after first adding zinc dust to the solution to cement out residual copper and cadmium. The zinc monosulphite is then separated from the solution, possibly washed with water, and calcined to yield purified zinc oxide.

Abstract: A method for waste treating metal containing solutions comprising decomposing the metal from the solution in the substantial absence of air and separating the decomposed (precipitated) metal from the solution.

Abstract: Removal of dissolved copper from solution according to the present invention involves treatment of waste solutions such as electroless copper overflow solutions with aluminum particles under reaction conditions promoting precipitation of dissolved copper from solution as metallic copper. Copper plating solutions having high concentrations of dissolved copper are inactivated in overflow reservoir (12) by addition of an inactivating agent from reservoir (14) to prevent plating of metallic copper onto vessels and conduits during collection, storage and/or transport of the solution. Inactivation of the copper plating solution is followed by precipitation of dissolved copper from solution as metallic copper in reaction vessel (20) by addition of aluminum particles from reservoir (24).