US3729182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for recovering precious metals
Assignee: Desert West Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-19
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1990-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A process of extracting gold, silver, platinum, mercury and other precious metals from ores containing the metals using mercury amalgams but without mercury losses due to flowering, galvanic action, oxidation, etc. Ores containing the metals to be recovered are contacted with mercury in an electrically isolated condition. A preferred apparatus useful in performing the process includes a mixing drum having a feed system and a discharge system isolated from ground and insulating wheels for driving the mixing drum.
Inventors
- 👤 J Schafer
- 👤 D Linton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:56
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B11/00; C22B11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for recovering precious metals comprising at least one mixing drum; means for feeding ore to be processed, water and mercury into each said drum, said means being electrically isolated from each said drum; drive means for rotating each said drum; coupling means interconnecting said drive means and material in each said drum, said coupling means electrically isolating said drive means from each said drum; amalgam collection means; amalgam discharge means from each said drum, said amalgam discharge means being electrically isolated from the said amalgam collection means and arranged to discharge mercury amalgams from the inside of each said drum to the said amalgam collection means; tailings discharge means; and tailings collection means electrically isolated from the tailings discharge means and adapted to receive material discharged through the tailings discharge means from the inside of each said drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for recovering precious metals comprising at least one mixing drum; means for feeding ore to be processed, water and mercury into each said drum, said means being electrically isolated from each said drum; drive means for rotating each said drum; coupling means interconnecting said drive means and material in each said drum, said coupling means electrically isolating said drive means from each said drum; amalgam collection means; amalgam discharge means from each said drum, said amalgam discharge means being electrically isolated from the said amalgam collection means and arranged to discharge mercury amalgams from the inside of each said drum to the said amalgam collection means; tailings discharge means; and tailings collection means electrically isolated from the tailings discharge means and adapted to receive material discharged through the tailings discharge means from the inside of each said drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the drum is driven by said drive means whereby it rotates about a central axis and wherein the means for feeding ore to be processed, water and mercury into the drum comprises a chute extending through a wall thereof and into the drum along the axis of rotation of the drum, said chute being spaced from the wall of the drum through which it extends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the amalgam discharge means comprises an opening through the drum at a peripheral edge thereof and at a level commensurate with the mercury placed in the tank as the tank is rotated, and the amalgam collection means includes a trough spaced from the drum and at all times beneath the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the tailings discharge means comprises an opening at the axis of rotation of the drum and means spaced from the opening and the drum to catch material discharged through the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the coupling means interconnecting the drive means and material in the drum, comprises wheels supporting the drum and driven by said drive means, whereby the said drum is rotated about its axis, said wheels being made of electricity insulating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein at least two axially aligned mixing drums are provided and the second drum receives tailings discharged from the first drum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US458823A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |