Abstract:
Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of alkaline earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated and recycled for use in subsequent iterations of the process. Suitable lixiviant species include zwitterions, including zwitterion pairs that act as counterions to one another.
Abstract:
Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of rare earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated in situ, permitting the organic amine to be used in substoichiometric amounts.
Abstract:
A solution composition that permits the use of thiourea is provided. The process is to form a solution that improves, on one hand, the velocity of gold and silver extraction, from minerals and other materials that contain them, improving the stability of the thiourea in the leaching solution and, on the other, the direct electrorecovery of the metals from the solution. The leaching solution, beforehand or simultaneously, has been subjected to a controlled electro-oxidation to produce formamidine disulfide (FADS) which acts as an oxidizing agent for the mineral phases that contain the gold and silver. In a preferred mode, the FADS is present as 10 to 30% of the total thiourea contained in the solution and the electrodeposition of the metals is performed in the same cell (cathodic compartment) in which the FADS is formed (anodic compartment).
Abstract:
A solution composition that permits the use of thiourea is provided. The process is to form a solution that improves, on one hand, the velocity of gold and silver extraction, from minerals and other materials that contain them, improving the stability of the thiourea in the leaching solution and, on the other, the direct electrorecovery of the metals from the solution. The leaching solution, beforehand or simultaneously, has been subjected to a controlled electro-oxidation to produce formamidine disulfide (FADS) which acts as an oxidizing agent for the mineral phases that contain the gold and silver. In a preferred mode, the FADS is present as 10 to 30% of the total thiourea contained in the solution and the electrodeposition of the metals is performed in the same cell (cathodic compartment) in which the FADS is formed (anodic compartment).
Abstract:
A hydrometallurgical process is provided for the separative treatment of electrometallurgical anode slime containing precious metals and substantial amounts of tin dioxide and lead sulfate. The process is especially suited for treatment of anode slimes from the electrorefining of secondary copper to recover about 85% of the metal value contained therein, especially tin and precious metals. First, lead is separated by leaching the slime with diethylene triamine followed by carbonation to precipitate lead carbonate with subsequent regeneration of the leach solution. Second, tin is separated by leaching the undissolved residue from the amine leach with a solution of hydrochloric acid and chlorine to dissolve substantially all substances except tin dioxide. Third, the pregnant leach solution is contacted with an exchange resin substantially selective to adsorption of precious metals except silver followed by cementation of silver from the depleted leach solution by copper addition with subsequent regeneration of the leach solution. Fourth, the loaded resin is elutriated followed by cementation of precious metals from the loaded eluate with silver from the previous step and recycling the silver-enriched solution for cementation of silver.
Abstract:
A process for the extraction of nickel values from a nickel oxide/silicate ore having a high magnesia/low iron oxide content, e.g. 15-50% magnesia and 0-20% iron oxide by contacting the ore with an aqueous polyalkylenehexamine solution in the presence of oxygen. The general formula for the polyalkylenehexamine is NH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.n NH(CH.sub.2).sub.m NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n NH(CH.sub.2).sub.m NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n NH.sub.2 where n and m are 2 or 3, n and m being the same or different. Preferably n is 2 and m is 3.
Abstract:
Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of alkaline earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated and recycled for use in subsequent iterations of the process. Multiple alkaline earth elements can be recovered from a sample in parallel or in serial applications of the disclosed methods.
Abstract:
Hydrometallurgical systems, methods, and compositions are described in which organic amine-based lixiviants are utilized in the selective recovery of alkaline earth elements. The lixiviant can be regenerated and recycled for use in subsequent iterations of the process. Multiple alkaline earth elements can be recovered from a sample in parallel or in serial applications of the disclosed methods.
Abstract:
This idea relates to the use of polyalkylene glycols and non-salt polyether amines to improve the effectiveness of silica removal by coagulation and agglomeration of colloidal silica particles in aqueous mineral process streams.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the in situ recovery of mineral values, particularly uranium, from subterranean formations that contain sulfur in organic or inorganic forms where the sulfur causes premature deletion of an oxidant and reduction in permeability of the formation. The adverse effects due to the presence of the sulfur in the formation are substantially reduced in accordance with the present invention by treating the formations with an aqueous solution of iron-complexing agent and then oxident to preferentially oxidize and solubilize at least a portion of the sulfur in the formation. The present process may be applied either as a pre-treatment process to be followed by a leaching process or simultaneously with the leaching process.