US3904497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for electrolytic recovery of metallic gallium
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
•
Filing: 1974-10-16
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Granted: 1975-09-09
•
Expires: 1994-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Gallium metal is electrolytically extracted from gallium compounds by a process which simultaneously dissolves the compound and reduces the metal.
Inventors
- 👤 William C Sleppy
- 👤 Robert H Goheen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:50
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C1/00; C25C1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF GALLIUM METAL FROM GALLIUM COMPOUNDS WHICH COMPRISES: A. ESTABLISHING THE GALLIUM COMPOUND AS A DISSOLVABLE ANODE IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL, B. PASSING A CURRENT BETWEEN THE GALLIUM COMPOUND ANODE AND AN INERT CATHODE TO EFFECT ANODE DISSOLUTION OF THE GALLIUM COMPOUND, AND C. SIMULTANEOUSLY PLATING OUT METALLIC GALLIUM ON SAID CATHODE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF GALLIUM METAL FROM GALLIUM COMPOUNDS WHICH COMPRISES: A. ESTABLISHING THE GALLIUM COMPOUND AS A DISSOLVABLE ANODE IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL, B. PASSING A CURRENT BETWEEN THE GALLIUM COMPOUND ANODE AND AN INERT CATHODE TO EFFECT ANODE DISSOLUTION OF THE GALLIUM COMPOUND, AND C. SIMULTANEOUSLY PLATING OUT METALLIC GALLIUM ON SAID CATHODE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the gallium compound comprises gallium arsenide and the amount of dissolved arsenate ion is controlled by removal of a portion of said electrolyte and treating said electrolyte with a material which will cause precipitation of said arsenate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 2 wherein a portion of said electrolyte is continuously circulated from said cell into a reaction zone to precipitate arsenate therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said arsenate-containing electrolyte is treated with lime to precipitate calcium arsenate from said electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell contains an aqueous alkaline solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said aqueous alkaline solution contains at least 1 gram per liter of dissolved gallium prior to start-up of the cell to provide conditioning of the cathode by providing deposition of a smooth clean liquid gallium coating on the cathode contemporaneous with the initial dissolution of the gallium compound anode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said gallium compound anode is in particulate form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said particulate gallium compound is contained in an electrolytically permeable holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell comprises a plurality of bipolar cells in series.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3325383A
Cited
US3677918A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |