US4162206A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation of iodine from mercury containing scrubbing solutions
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1978-11-16
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Granted: 1979-07-24
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Expires: 1998-11-16
Abstract
Abstract Radioactive iodines can be recovered from a nitric acid scrub solution containing mercuric nitrate by passing a current through the scrub solution to react the iodine with the mercuric nitrate to form mercuric iodate which precipitates out. The mercuric iodate can then be reacted to recover the radioiodine for further processing into a form suitable for long-term storage and to recover the mercury for recycling.
Inventors
- 👤 Leland L. Burger
- 👤 Randall D. Scheele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:47
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G13/00; C01G13/02; C01B; C01B11/00; C01B11/22; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/24; G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A process for recovering iodine from a nitric acid scrub solution containing mercuric nitrate and iodine comprising: adjusting the nitric acid concentration from about 1 to 16.0 M to prepare a feed solution; passing a current through the feed solution at a current density of from about 0.1 to 1.0 amps/cm 2 to react the iodine with the mercuric nitrate and form mercuric iodate which precipitates out; and recovering the precipitated mercuric iodate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for recovering iodine from a nitric acid scrub solution containing mercuric nitrate and iodine comprising: adjusting the nitric acid concentration from about 1 to 16.0 M to prepare a feed solution; passing a current through the feed solution at a current density of from about 0.1 to 1.0 amps/cm 2 to react the iodine with the mercuric nitrate and form mercuric iodate which precipitates out; and recovering the precipitated mercuric iodate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the feed solution is about 0.2 to 0.4 M in mercuric nitrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 1 including the additional steps of: contacting the mercuric iodate with a solution of sodium hydroxide to form sodium iodate which dissolves in the solution and mercuric oxide which precipitates out; and recovering the mercuric oxide, thereby separating the iodine from the mercury compound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the nitric acid concentration is from about 1.0 to 6.0 M and the current density is from about 0.1 to 0.3 amp/cm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the nitric acid concentration is from about 6.0 to 16.0 M and the current density is from about 0.1 to 1.0 amp/cm 2 .
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) | 1982-07-23 | 1983-01-22 | 1983-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-23 | 1987-01-22 | 1987-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-23 | 1991-01-22 | 1991-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |