US3634070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for recovery of copper and other metals from source materials
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
•
Filing: 1969-07-29
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1989-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A metal is leached from an ore or concentrate with an aqueous solution of an organic chelating agent. In selecting a suitable agent the formula Beta >10 3/Ksp is employed wherein Beta is the stability constant of the chelate composed of the agent and the metal to be leached, and Ksp is the solubility product constant, in water, of the compound in the ore or concentrate which supplies the metal in the chelate. As an example, an aqueous solution of EDTA leaches copper from a carbonate ore in a limestone matrix. Metal values are then recovered from solution by chemical reduction, electrolysis, cementation, sulfide precipitation or pH control.
Inventors
- 👤 Roald E Lindstrom
- 👤 Donald J Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:12
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B3/00; C22B3/04; C22B3/16; C22B3/1608; C22B3/1616; C22B3/165; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said metal is copper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said chelating agent is EDTA.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said metal compound is selected from the group consisting of carbonates, oxides, hydroxides and silicates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said metal is copper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said metal compound is copper carbonate and said chelating agent is EDTA.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said copper carbonate mineral is in a matrix of limestone, dolomite or calcite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the pH of said aqueous solution during leaching is about 8.0 to 10.0, and wherein copper hydroxide is subsequently removed from leachate by raising the pH of said leachate to between 11 and 13, by the addition of calcium oxide or hydroxide.
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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) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |