US4024216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carbonate leach uranium ore processing with sodium polyacrylate flocculant
Assignee: ChampionX LLC
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Filing: 1975-07-02
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1995-07-02
Abstract
Abstract Uranium yields, derived from alkaline leaching of a uranium ore, are increased and at the same time the need for fresh water to dissolve a flocculant is eliminated by using sodium polyacrylate as the flocculant, diluted with and dissolved by system water.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Finch
- 👤 Robert H. Scala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:01
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G43/00; C01G43/01; B; B03; B03B; B03B9/00; C22; C22B; C22B60/00; C22B60/02; C22B60/0204; C22B60/0217; C22B60/0252; C22B60/0278; C01P; C01P2006/00; C01P2006/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a process system where uranium values in a water slurry of crushed uranium ore are treated by a solution of carbonate in system water to convert the uranium to a soluble uranyl tricarbonate ion, the slurry then being filtered to remove waste solids delivered to a tailings pond containing system water, and the filtrate being separately treated to precipitate uranium oxide: the improvement characterized by adding to the slurry, fed to the filter, sodium polyacrylate molecular weight 1-24 million dissolved in water obtained from the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a process system where uranium values in a water slurry of crushed uranium ore are treated by a solution of carbonate in system water to convert the uranium to a soluble uranyl tricarbonate ion, the slurry then being filtered to remove waste solids delivered to a tailings pond containing system water, and the filtrate being separately treated to precipitate uranium oxide: the improvement characterized by adding to the slurry, fed to the filter, sodium polyacrylate molecular weight 1-24 million dissolved in water obtained from the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 in which there are several stages of filters, at least one filtering step being preceeded by said sodium polyacrylate addition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the system water containing sodium polyacrylate is either pond water or overflow water from precipitation of uranium oxide recirculated to the filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the system water containing sodium polyacrylate is both pond water and overflow water from precipitation of uranium oxide recirculated to the filter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB725460A
Cited
US3480761A
Cited
US3210151A
Cited
US3239307A
Cited
US3657378A
Cited
US3932276A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |