Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A process for treating a ferric ion-containing aqueous solution for the removal of ferric ion, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the ferric ion-containing aqueous solution with an organic extractant comprising a dialkylphosphoric acid having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a hydrocarbon solvent to extract the ferric ion therefrom, thereby obtaining an organic phase containing the extracted ferric component and an aqueous phase containing residual unextracted ferric ion; (b) separating said aqueous phase from said organic phase; (c) mixing said aqueous phase with a pH-controlling agent to increase the pH thereof to a value sufficient to precipitate at least a part of the residual ferric ion as ferric hydroxide; and (d) separating the mixture from step (c) into a solid phase and a liquid phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for treating a ferric ion-containing aqueous solution for the removal of ferric ion, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the ferric ion-containing aqueous solution with an organic extractant comprising a dialkylphosphoric acid having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a hydrocarbon solvent to extract the ferric ion therefrom, thereby obtaining an organic phase containing the extracted ferric component and an aqueous phase containing residual unextracted ferric ion; (b) separating said aqueous phase from said organic phase; (c) mixing said aqueous phase with a pH-controlling agent to increase the pH thereof to a value sufficient to precipitate at least a part of the residual ferric ion as ferric hydroxide; and (d) separating the mixture from step (c) into a solid phase and a liquid phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the content of said dialkylphosphoric acid in said organic extractant is between 5 and 50% by volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said extractant is used in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by volume per one part by volume of said ferric ion-containing aqueous solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dialkylphosphoric acid is di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein steps (a) and (b) are conducted until the concentration of ferric ion in the aqueous phase becomes about 1 g/l or less.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pH-controlling agent is an industrial waste containing a metal oxide or metal hydroxide, or an ore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pH-controlling agent is a sludge from plating industries.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pH-controlling agent is added in an amount so that the pH of said liquid phase becomes in the range of between about 1.5 and about 3.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mixture is maintained at a temperature of 50° to 100° C. under stirring before step (d).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, further comprising subjecting said liquid phase from step (d) to the treatment of steps (a) to (d).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, further comprising treating said organic phase from step (b) with hydrochloric acid to remove the ferric component therefrom and to regenerate same and recycling said regenerated organic phase to step (a) for use as said extractant.