Patent US5074300A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4131639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sulfuric acid extraction of uranium from its ores
Assignee: Rio Algom Ltd
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Filing: 1976-10-28
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Granted: 1978-12-26
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Expires: 1996-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of extracting uranium from its ores, by mixing ground ore with sulphuric acid to give a moist ore containing a sulphuric acid concentration of less than 4N, without forming a continuous liquid phase, and curing the moist ore at 50° to 100° C while passing an oxidizing gas through it.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Mather
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:38
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B60/00; C22B60/02; C22B60/0204; C22B60/0217; C22B60/0221; C22B60/0226; C22B60/0234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of extracting uranium values from an ore which contains uranium as a finely-disseminated refractory material, comprising the steps of: wet grinding the ore; dewatering the ground ore; mixing the ground ore with concentrated sulphuric acid; adjusting the sulphuric acid contentration in the moist ore to an initial concentration of less than 4N; curing the moist ore by heating the moist ore to a temperature of from 50° to 100° C. while passing an oxidizing gas through the moist ore; and recovering acid-soluble uranium values from the cured ore by dissolution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of extracting uranium values from an ore which contains uranium as a finely-disseminated refractory material, comprising the steps of: wet grinding the ore; dewatering the ground ore; mixing the ground ore with concentrated sulphuric acid; adjusting the sulphuric acid contentration in the moist ore to an initial concentration of less than 4N; curing the moist ore by heating the moist ore to a temperature of from 50° to 100° C. while passing an oxidizing gas through the moist ore; and recovering acid-soluble uranium values from the cured ore by dissolution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the initial sulphuric acid concentration in the moist ore is from 2N to 3N.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the curing time is from 12 to 24 hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the oxidizing gas is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 4 in which the air is moistened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 4 in which a total volume of at least 20 cubic feet of air is passed per short ton of moist ore during the curing period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the particle size of the ground ore is predominantly less than 1 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the ore is dewatered to contain from 10 to 15% water and the initial sulphuric acid concentration in the moist ore is from 2N to 3N.
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) | 1981-12-25 | 1982-06-26 | 1982-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-25 | 1986-06-26 | 1986-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-25 | 1990-06-26 | 1990-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |