US3607235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid bacteriological metal extraction method
Assignee: BC Research (Canada)
•
Filing: 1968-02-23
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Granted: 1971-09-21
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Expires: 1988-02-23
Abstract
Abstract Method of rapid bacteriological extraction of metals from materials containing sulfides by subjecting to agitation a pulp comprising particles of said materials and an aqueous acid leaching medium including sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, while simultaneously aerating the pulp with air enriched with carbon dioxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas W Duncan
- 👤 Cecile J M Mcgoran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:07
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B3/00; C22B3/18; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/09; Y10S423/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said particles of sulfide-containing materials are less than 325 mesh in size.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bacteria comprise Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pH of the leaching medium is from about 1.5 to about 3.5.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pH of the leaching medium is from About 2.5 to about 3.0.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sulfide pulp density of the leaching medium is from about 0.5 to about 20 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sulfide pulp density of the leaching medium is from about 1.0 to about 2.0 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the temperature during agitation and aeration is maintained from about 10* to about 40* C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the temperature during agitation and aeration is maintained from about 30* to about 35* C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said air aerating the pulp contains from about 21 percent to about 60 percent oxygen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said particles of sulfide-containing materials are less than 325 mesh in size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bacteria comprise Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the pH of the leaching medium is from about 1.5 to about 3.5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the pH of the leaching medium is from about 2.5 to about 3.0.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sulfide pulp density of the leaching medium is from about 0.5 to about 20 percent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sulfide pulp density of the leaching medium is from about 1.0 to about 2.0 percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the temperature during agitation and aeration is maintained from about 10* to about 40* C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the temperature during agitation and aeration is maintained from about 30* to about 35* C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |