US3839013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Copper recovery from lean sulfide ores
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-18
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-06-18
Abstract
Abstract Copper is recovered from ores containing about 10-15 percent copper in the form of a sulfide in the presence of significant amounts of iron and nickel, by sulfatizing roasting the ore in an atmosphere including 5-15 percent SO2 at a temperature of from about 580*C to about 625*C and leaching soluble copper salt therefrom with water.
Inventors
- 👤 E Turkdogan
- 👤 B Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:48
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B1/00; C22B1/02; C22B1/06; C22B15/00; C22B15/0002; C22B15/001; C22B15/0013; C22B15/0017; C22B15/0063; C22B15/0065; C22B15/0082; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
METHOD OF REMOVING COPPER FROM SULFIDE ORE CONCENTRATE COMPRISING ROASTING SAID CONCENTRATE IN AN AIR ATMOSPHER INCLUDING ABOUT 5 PERCENT TO 15 PERCENT SO2 AT A TEMPERATURE OF 600*-625*C FOR AT LEAST 60 MINUTES, LEACHING THE CONCENTRATE WITH WATER, COLLECTING THE LEACH SOLUTION, AND REPEATING THE ROASTING AND LEACHING STEPS AT LEAST ONCE MORE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
METHOD OF REMOVING COPPER FROM SULFIDE ORE CONCENTRATE COMPRISING ROASTING SAID CONCENTRATE IN AN AIR ATMOSPHER INCLUDING ABOUT 5 PERCENT TO 15 PERCENT SO2 AT A TEMPERATURE OF 600*-625*C FOR AT LEAST 60 MINUTES, LEACHING THE CONCENTRATE WITH WATER, COLLECTING THE LEACH SOLUTION, AND REPEATING THE ROASTING AND LEACHING STEPS AT LEAST ONCE MORE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method of claim 1 in which the ore concentrate contains from about 8-20 percent copper, 12-25 percent iron, 1-5 percent nickel and up to 2 percent total cobalt, chromium and zinc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method of claim 1 in which the ratio of copper to nickel in the concentrate is in the range of from about 3:1 to about 8:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 1 in which the roasting and leaching steps are each performed three times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method of sulfating copper in a copper ore concentrate containing 8-20 percent copper, 12-25 percent iron, 1-5 percent nickel and up to 2 percent total cobalt, chromium and zinc comprising roasting said concentrate at a temperature of 600*C to 625*C in air containing 5-15 percent SO2.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method of sulfating copper in a copper ore concentrate containing 8-20 percent copper, 12-25 percent iron, 1-5 percent nickel and up to 2 percent total cobalt, chromium and zinc comprising roasting said concentrate at a temperature of 600*C to 625*C in air containing 5-15 percent SO2.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method of claim 1 in which the sulfide ore concentrate is in a fluidized bed during the roasting step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method of claim 1 in which the temperature is in the range of 600*-625*C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method of claim 1 in which the roasting step lasts for 60 minutes.
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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |