US3969489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for recovering synthetic diamonds from pressed runs
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-09-24
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Granted: 1976-07-13
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Expires: 1995-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A diamond synthesis run containing synthetic diamonds, graphite and catalyst from a high pressure temperature diamond process is treated with bromine to remove substantially all of the graphite. After bromination, the run is subjected to electrolysis to remove the catalyst metals leaving the diamond product for recovery. Some of the diamonds may have a layer of graphite which is exfoliated by further treatment with liquid bromine.
Inventors
- 👤 Mu-Sheng Wu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:50
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C01B32/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A process for the recovery of synthetic diamond from a diamond synthesis run containing diamond crystals, a non-diamond carbonaceous material and a metallic catalyst which comprises: pretreating the run with liquid bromine to dissolve the non-diamond carbonaceous material; separating the bromine-carbon mixture from the remaining run material; chemically treating the remaining run material to remove the catalyst; and recovering the remaining diamond crystals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process for the recovery of synthetic diamond from a diamond synthesis run containing diamond crystals, a non-diamond carbonaceous material and a metallic catalyst which comprises: pretreating the run with liquid bromine to dissolve the non-diamond carbonaceous material; separating the bromine-carbon mixture from the remaining run material; chemically treating the remaining run material to remove the catalyst; and recovering the remaining diamond crystals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, including the steps of distilling the bromine-carbon mixture to condense liquid bromine, and recycling the condensed bromine for subsequent use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said catalyst is an alloy of at least two metals, one of the metals being selected from the class consisting of group VIII metals of the periodic table, chromium, tantalum and manganese.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 3, wherein said catalyst is an alloy of nickel and iron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said chemical treating step is electrolysis to plate out the catalyst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said catalyst is a metal selected from the class consisting of group VIII metals of the periodic table, chromium, tantalum and manganese.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 6, wherein said catalyst is nickel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 1, including the steps of immersing said recovered diamond crystals in liquid bromine to exfoliate remaining graphite adhering to said crystals; decanting the exfoliated carbon and bromine; neutralizing the trace bromine on the crystals; and removing the crystals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8, wherein said neutralizing step is performed by treating said crystal with a solution of NaOH.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for the recovery of synthetic diamonds from a press, diamond synthesis run containing diamond crystals, graphite aand a metallic catalyst which comprises: pretreating the run with liquid bromine to dissolve the non-diamond carbonaceous material; drawing off the bromine-carbon mixture from the remaining run material; placing the remaining run material on an anode plate in a nickel-chloride electrolyte bath; electrolyzing the remaining run material to plate out the metallic catalyst and recovering the remaining diamond.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for the recovery of synthetic diamonds from a press, diamond synthesis run containing diamond crystals, graphite aand a metallic catalyst which comprises: pretreating the run with liquid bromine to dissolve the non-diamond carbonaceous material; drawing off the bromine-carbon mixture from the remaining run material; placing the remaining run material on an anode plate in a nickel-chloride electrolyte bath; electrolyzing the remaining run material to plate out the metallic catalyst and recovering the remaining diamond.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 10, including the steps of distilling the bromine-graphite solution to condense liquid bromine, and recycling the condensed bromine for subsequent use.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 10, including the steps of immersing said recovered diamond crystals in liquid bromine to exfoliate remaining graphite adhering to said crystals; decanting the exfoliated carbon and bromine; neutralizing the trace bromine on the crystals and removing the crystals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process for the removal of graphite from synthetic diamond crystals having a layer of graphite thereon comprising the steps of: immersing said crystal in a bath of liquid bromine; maintaining said crystals in said bath until said bromine exfoliates the non-diamond carbon from said crystals; decanting the exfoliated carbon and bromine, and removing the graphite exfoliated crystals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process for the removal of graphite from synthetic diamond crystals having a layer of graphite thereon comprising the steps of: immersing said crystal in a bath of liquid bromine; maintaining said crystals in said bath until said bromine exfoliates the non-diamond carbon from said crystals; decanting the exfoliated carbon and bromine, and removing the graphite exfoliated crystals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 13, further including treating the removed crystals with a solution of NaOH to neutralize trace bromine thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 13, further including evaporating the decanted graphite and bromine; condensing the bromine vapors and recycling the condensed bromine for further use.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process for the removal of graphite from a composition comprising synthetic diamonds and graphite material, which comprises immersing said composition in a bath of liquid bromine, maintaining the composition in said bath until said bromine penetrates the graphite and exfoliates the non-diamond carbon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process for the removal of graphite from a composition comprising synthetic diamonds and graphite material, which comprises immersing said composition in a bath of liquid bromine, maintaining the composition in said bath until said bromine penetrates the graphite and exfoliates the non-diamond carbon.
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) | 1979-07-13 | 1980-01-12 | 1980-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-13 | 1984-01-12 | 1984-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-13 | 1988-01-12 | 1988-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |