US4094753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Recovery of gallium from gallium compounds
Assignee: Teck Metals Ltd
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Filing: 1977-06-01
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1997-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for the recovery of gallium from scrap materials in which the gallium occurs as gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, antimony, arsenic and phosphorus. The process comprises the steps of leaching said gallium compounds with an oxidizing agent selected from nitric acid and a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide to form a gallium-containing leach solution, forming a gallate solution from said gallium-containing solution, and recovering gallium from said gallate solution. The leach solution can be treated with a calcium compound chosen from the group consisting of lime and calcium hydroxide for precipitation of calcium arsenate and calcium phosphate. An alkaline material such as sodium hydroxide may then be added to said leach solution in an amount sufficient to raise the pH to a value of at least 11 to form gallate solution. Gallium metal preferably is recovered from said gallate solution by electrolysis.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas L. Charlton
- 👤 Robert F. Redden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:00
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B58/00; C25; C25C; C25C1/00; C25C1/22; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A process for the recovery of gallium from gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of antimony, arsenic and phosphorus which comprises the steps of: (i) leaching said gallium compounds with an oxidizing agent selected from nitric acid and a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, said oxidizing agent being added in an amount at least sufficient to dissolve said gallium from said gallium compounds to form a gallium-containing solution; (ii) forming a gallate solution from said gallium-containing solution; and (iii) recovering gallium from said gallate solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for the recovery of gallium from gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of antimony, arsenic and phosphorus which comprises the steps of: (i) leaching said gallium compounds with an oxidizing agent selected from nitric acid and a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, said oxidizing agent being added in an amount at least sufficient to dissolve said gallium from said gallium compounds to form a gallium-containing solution; (ii) forming a gallate solution from said gallium-containing solution; and (iii) recovering gallium from said gallate solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which said gallium compounds additionally contain aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which said gallium compounds are one or more compounds chosen from the group consisting of GaAs, GaP, GaSb, GaAsP, GaAlAs and GaAlP.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leach is carried out at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leach is carried out with a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in an amount substantially stoichiometric to said gallium compounds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leach is carried out with a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and wherein hydrogen peroxide is gradually added to a mixture of nitric acid and said compounds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein gallate solution is neutralized at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C with sulfuric acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH to a value of about 6 whereby gallium precipitates as gallium hydroxide, the precipitate is separated from solution and recovered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein gallate solution is neutralized at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C with sulfuric acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH to a value of about 6 whereby gallium precipitates as gallium hydroxide, the precipitate is separated, the precipitate is redissolved in sodium hydroxide solution and the resulting gallate solution is electrolyzed for the recovery of gallium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gallate solution is electrolyzed and gallium is recovered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gallate solution is formed by adding sodium hydroxide to said gallium-containing solution in an amount sufficient to raise the pH to a value of at least 11, and gallium is recovered from said gallate solution by electrolysis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gallate solution is treated with a calcium compound for the precipitation of at least one compound of the group consisting of calcium arsenate and calcium phosphate, the precipitate is removed and the remaining gallate solution is treated for the recovery of gallium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
A process for the recovery of gallium from materials comprising gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of arsenic and phosphorous which comprises the steps of: (i) leaching said materials with nitric acid in an amount in excess of the amount required to dissolve said gallium compounds for formation of leach residue and leach solution; (ii) separating leach residue and leach solution; (iii) treating leach solution with a calcium compound chosen from the group consisting of lime and calcium hydroxide for formation of a reaction slurry containing precipitate comprising at least one compound of the group consisting of calcium arsenate and calcium phosphate; (iv) adding sodium hydroxide to said reaction slurry in an amount sufficient to raise the pH to a value of at least 11, whereby gallate solution and residual precipitate are formed; (v) separating gallate solution from residual precipitate; and (vi) recovering gallium from said gallate solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
A process for the recovery of gallium from materials comprising gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of arsenic and phosphorous which comprises the steps of: (i) leaching said materials with nitric acid in an amount in excess of the amount required to dissolve said gallium compounds for formation of leach residue and leach solution; (ii) separating leach residue and leach solution; (iii) treating leach solution with a calcium compound chosen from the group consisting of lime and calcium hydroxide for formation of a reaction slurry containing precipitate comprising at least one compound of the group consisting of calcium arsenate and calcium phosphate; (iv) adding sodium hydroxide to said reaction slurry in an amount sufficient to raise the pH to a value of at least 11, whereby gallate solution and residual precipitate are formed; (v) separating gallate solution from residual precipitate; and (vi) recovering gallium from said gallate solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein said group of elements additionally contains aluminum and antimony.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 12, in which said gallium compounds are one or more compounds chosen from the group consisting of GaAs, GaP, GaSb, GaAsP, GaAlAs and GaAlP.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein the leach is carried out at a temperature of about 80° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein said treating with a calcium compound is carried out at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein gallate solution is neutralized at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C with sulfuric acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH to a value of about 6 whereby gallium precipitates as gallium hydroxide, the precipitate is separated from solution and recovered.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein gallate solution is neutralized at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C with sulfuric acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH to a value of about 6 whereby gallium precipitates as gallium hydroxide, the precipitate is separated, the precipitate is redissolved in sodium hydroxide solution and the gallate solution is electrolyzed for the recovery of gallium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
156 words
A process for the recovery of gallium from materials comprising gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of arsenic and phosphorus which comprises the steps of: (i) leaching said materials with a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in amounts at least sufficient to dissolve said gallium compounds for formation of leach residue and leach solution; (ii) separating leach residue and leach solution; (iii) treating leach solution with a calcium compound chosen from the group consisting of lime and calcium hydroxide for formation of a reaction slurry containing precipitate comprising at least one compound of the group consisting of calcium arsenate and calcium phosphate; (iv) adding sodium hydroxide to said reaction slurry in an amount sufficient to raise the pH to a value of at least 11 whereby gallate solution and residual precipitate are formed; (v) separating gallate solution from residual precipitate; and (vi) recovering gallium from said gallate solution.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
156 words
A process for the recovery of gallium from materials comprising gallium compounds containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of arsenic and phosphorus which comprises the steps of: (i) leaching said materials with a combination of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in amounts at least sufficient to dissolve said gallium compounds for formation of leach residue and leach solution; (ii) separating leach residue and leach solution; (iii) treating leach solution with a calcium compound chosen from the group consisting of lime and calcium hydroxide for formation of a reaction slurry containing precipitate comprising at least one compound of the group consisting of calcium arsenate and calcium phosphate; (iv) adding sodium hydroxide to said reaction slurry in an amount sufficient to raise the pH to a value of at least 11 whereby gallate solution and residual precipitate are formed; (v) separating gallate solution from residual precipitate; and (vi) recovering gallium from said gallate solution.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as claimed in claim 19, said group of elements additionally containing aluminum and antimony.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 19, in which said gallium compounds are one or more compounds chosen from the group consisting of GaAs, GaP, GaSb, GaAsP, GaAlAs and GaAlP.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 19, wherein the leach is carried out at a temperature of about 80° C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 19, wherein said treating with a calcium compound is carried out at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process as claimed in claim 19, wherein gallate solution is neutralized at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C with sulfuric acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH to a value of about 6 whereby gallium precipitates as gallium hydroxide, the precipitate is separated from solution and recovered.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process as claimed in claim 19, wherein gallate solution is neutralized at a temperature in the range of 60° to 100° C with sulfuric acid in an amount sufficient to lower the pH to a value of about 6 whereby gallium precipitates as gallium hydroxide, the precipitate is separated, the precipitate is redissolved in sodium hydroxide solution and the gallate solution is electrolyzed for the recovery of gallium.
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) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |