US4066733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal extraction from sea nodules
Assignee: Albemarle Corp
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Filing: 1976-09-30
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A process is disclosed for extracting nickel, copper, cobalt and molybdenum from a complex ore containing copper, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese and iron. The process features treatment of the ore with gaseous compound followed by leaching with an aqueous ammonia/ammonium salt solution into which is additionally introduced sulfite.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Dubeck
- 👤 Gordon G. Knapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:12
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B47/00; C22B47/0018; C22B47/0027; C22B15/00; C22B15/0002; C22B15/0004; C22B15/0006; C22B15/0063; C22B15/0065; C22B15/0078; C22B15/0084; C22B15/0089; C22B15/0093; C22B23/00; C22B23/005; C22B34/00; C22B34/30; C22B34/34; C22B47/0045; C22B47/0054; C22B47/0072; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
In a process for recovering cobalt, nickel, copper and molybdenum from sea nodules containing copper, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese and iron and being substantially free of sulfidic sulfur which comprises 1. treating comminuted ore with gaseous reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes and mixtures thereof; 2. leaching said treated ore with aqueous solution containing ammonia and ammonium salt other than a sulfite or bisulfite;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a process for recovering cobalt, nickel, copper and molybdenum from sea nodules containing copper, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese and iron and being substantially free of sulfidic sulfur which comprises 1. treating comminuted ore with gaseous reactant selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes and mixtures thereof; 2. leaching said treated ore with aqueous solution containing ammonia and ammonium salt other than a sulfite or bisulfite;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
separating any insoluble material which remains after said leaching whereby a solution containing soluble copper, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum substantially free of manganese and iron is obtained, the improvement which comprises treating said comminuted ore with said gaseous reactant at elevated temperatures lower than about 400° C., and providing sulfite in said leaching solution whereby cobalt solubilization is increased.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
separating any insoluble material which remains after said leaching whereby a solution containing soluble copper, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum substantially free of manganese and iron is obtained, the improvement which comprises treating said comminuted ore with said gaseous reactant at elevated temperatures lower than about 400° C., and providing sulfite in said leaching solution whereby cobalt solubilization is increased.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sulfite is provided as SO 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sulfite is provided as an ammonium salt selected from ammonium sulfite, ammonium bisulfite and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein sufficient sulfite is provided to obtain a Mn:sulfite molar ratio of about 1:0.5 to about 1:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 3 wherein sufficient sulfite is provided to obtain a Mn:sulfite molar ratio of about 1:0.5 to about 1:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said temperature is in the 150° C.-400° C. range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said temperature is in the 150° C.-250° C. range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said temperature is in the 170° C.-225° C. range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said gaseous reactant is C 1 -C 4 alkanol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said sulfite is ammonium bisulfite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said alkanol is methanol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |