US4080419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam injection leaching process for fragmented ore
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1976-12-10
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1996-12-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a process for leaching broken or fragmented ore or metal-value containing bodies with a reagent-carrying foam. The foam is generated by adding a surfactant to a leaching solution and passing air or other gas through the solution to generate relatively stable foam bubbles which are propelled through the fragmented mass by gas pressure. The foam can be injected in cycles, allowing drain time, or can be injected continuously with the leachant drainage taking place at the periphery of the ore mass and removed continuously.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Engelmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:45
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; C22B15/0065; C22B15/0078; C22B15/0067; C22B15/0071; C22B15/0084; C22B15/0089; C22B3/00; C22B3/04; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A process for the recovery of copper values from fragmented copper-containing bodies which comprises: a. introducing a leaching solution comprising a leaching agent consisting of ammonium carbonate or sulfuric acid and a surfactant into a mass of said fragmented bodies, b. foaming said solution by introducing a gas therein, c. passing the foamed leaching solution through the said mass whereby said foamed leaching solution forms pregnant leachant containing copper values, and d. recovering the pregnant leachant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for the recovery of copper values from fragmented copper-containing bodies which comprises: a. introducing a leaching solution comprising a leaching agent consisting of ammonium carbonate or sulfuric acid and a surfactant into a mass of said fragmented bodies, b. foaming said solution by introducing a gas therein, c. passing the foamed leaching solution through the said mass whereby said foamed leaching solution forms pregnant leachant containing copper values, and d. recovering the pregnant leachant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fragmented body is a sloping ore body, the surfactant is non-ionic and the foam is passed generally in an upward direction through said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the ore body comprises a sulfide type copper ore, and the leaching agent comprises dilute sulfuric acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the gas introduced to foam the leaching solution is lighter than air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fragmented body comprises mill tailings, dumps or heaps and the foamed leaching solution is applied at the top of said fragmented body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the gas introduced to foam the leaching agent is heavier than air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the foamed solution is passed upwardly through the mass, periodically alternating with drain down cycles.
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) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |