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US3634071A
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Process for precipitating copper from solution
Assignee: Kennecott Corp
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Filing: 1969-05-12
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1989-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved process for accelerating the precipitation of copper from solution. A pregnant leach solution, containing at least copper, ferric, ferrous, and sulfate ions, is treated with sulfur dioxide under conditions of agitation to complex the ferric ions and to efficiently maintain the treated leach solution at a pH below 3.0, without the addition of acid. The complexing of the ferric ions prevents these ions from oxidizing the metallic iron utilized in the precipitation of copper, thereby significantly reducing metallic iron requirements, and, coupled with the maintenance of a lower pH, increasing the amount of copper precipitated.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Rush Spedden
- 👤 Emil E Malouf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:17
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein following separation of the precipitated copper values, the stripped solution is again made pregnant with copper values by passage through a leaching stage and is the recycled through the process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein a substantially stoichiometric amount of sulfur dioxide is added to the pregnant leach solution, calculated upon the amount of ferric ion in solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sulfur dioxide is introduced into the pregnant leach solution at pumps utilized to force the solution into a precipitation vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as set forth in claim 4, wherein the pumped solution is introduced into the precipitation vessel under conditions of dynamic agitation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein sulfur dioxide is introduced in a amount which brings the pH of the stripped solution to between about pH 1.9 and 2.4.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as set forth in claim 6, wherein the pH of the stripped solution is brought to about pH 2.1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein a substantially stoichiometric amount of sulfur dioxide is added to the pregnant leach solution, calculated upon the amount of ferric ion in solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sulfur dioxide is introduced into the pregnant leach solution at pumps utilized to force the solution into a precipitation vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as set forth in claim 9, wherein the pumped solution is introduced into the precipitation vessel under conditions of dynamic agitation.
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) | 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 |