US3632334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refining of impure metals
Assignee: METAUX D OVERPELT LOMMEL ET DE
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Filing: 1969-01-31
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1989-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A refining column for refining impure metals which comprises: A. AN UPPER PORTION CONTAINING TRAYS; B. A CONDENSER LOCATED AT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE REFINING COLUMN; C. A LOWER PORTION HAVING A VERTICAL PARTITION WALL FORMING TWO SEPARATE PARTS THEREIN; D. EACH OF THE TWO SEPARATE PARTS CONTAINING TRAYS; E. BOTH OF THE TWO SEPARATE PARTS ARE LOCATED INSIDE A COMBUSTION CHAMBER; F. MEANS FOR FEEDING THE METAL WHICH IS TO BE REFINED TO ONE OF THE TWO SEPARATE PARTS; AND G. THE TRAYS IN THE COLUMN AND THE PARTITION WALL BEING POSITIONED SO THAT REFLUX FROM THE UPPER PORTION FLOWS DOWNWARD INTO THE OTHER OF THE TWO SEPARATE PARTS; AND THE PROCESS FOR ITS OPERATION ARE SET FORTH.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Andre Joseph Quintin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:32
CPC Classifications
F; F27; F27B; F27B5/00; F27B5/04; B; B61; B61D; B61D7/00; B61D7/14; B61D7/16; B61D7/18; C; C22; C22B; C22B19/00; C22B19/04; C22B9/00; C22B9/02; F27B5/06; F27B5/10; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trays of the first of said two tray chambers which are situated above the means for feeding the metal which is to be refined are provided with heat-insulating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trays are made of silicon carbide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said partition wall is two-walled so that the two separate tray chambers of the lower column portion are not in abutting contact with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trays of that portion of the first tray chamber that are situated above the feed inlet means are capable of losing heat to the atmosphere by either radiation or by forced convexion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a process for the refining of impure metal containing both impurities having a boiling point higher than that of the metal which is to be refined and impurities having a boiling point lower than that of the metal which is to be refined which comprises: a. feeding a liquid stream of impure metal within a first distillation zone; b. heating sAid liquid stream in order to cause metal vapors to flow out of the upper portion of the first distillation zone into the lower portion of a second distillation zone, and to cause impurities with a boiling point higher than that of the metal which is to be refined to flow downwards as a liquid to the bottom of said first distillation zone; c. collecting the impurities with a boiling point higher than that of the metal which is to be refined at the bottom of said first distillation zone; d. condensing a portion of the metal vapors that rise upwardly through said second distillation zone; e. causing the condensate from the second distillation zone to flow downwards into the top of a third distillation zone; f. heating said condensate that passes downwardly through said third distillation zone so as to cause metal vapors of impurities with a boiling point lower than that of the metal which is to be refined to flow upwards towards the upper portion of the third distillation zone; and g. collecting refined metal in the bottom of said third distillation zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the impure metal which is to be refined is impure zinc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the impure metal which is to be refined is raw zinc obtained by the thermal reduction of an ore selected from the group consisting of oxidized zinc ores and sulfide ores which have been subjected to a preliminary oxidizing roasting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said impurities with a boiling point lower than that of the metal which is to be refined comprise cadmium, and said impurities with a boiling point higher than that of the metal which is to be refined comprise lead.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US1994351A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |