US4320093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation of uranium by biosorption
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-11-13
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Granted: 1982-03-16
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Expires: 1999-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Uranium or thorium cations are removed from aqueous suspension or solution by treatment of the aqueous material with the biomass derived from fermentation of a fungal microorganism of the genus Rhizopus, e.g. Rhizopus arrhizus. The process can be utilized to treat aqueous tailings from uranium ore extraction processes, to reduce the radioactive content of the tailings prior to disposal.
Inventors
- 👤 Bohumil Volesky
- 👤 Marios Tsezos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:58
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B60/00; C22B60/02; C22B60/0204; C22B60/0217; C22B60/0252; C22B60/0256; C01; C01F; C01F15/00; C22B3/00; C22B3/18; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A process for the extraction of uranium- and/or thorium-containing cations from aqueous suspension or solution, which comprises contacting an aqueous solution or suspension containing at least one of said cations with an effective amount of a biomass effective to absorb large quantities of at least one of said cations, said biomass being derived from the growth of a Rhizopus fungal microorganism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process for the extraction of uranium- and/or thorium-containing cations from aqueous suspension or solution, which comprises contacting an aqueous solution or suspension containing at least one of said cations with an effective amount of a biomass effective to absorb large quantities of at least one of said cations, said biomass being derived from the growth of a Rhizopus fungal microorganism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the biomass is derived from growth of the species Rhizopus arrhizus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said contacting takes place at a pH in the range from about pH 2.5 to about pH 7.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the biomass is sterile at the time of initial contact with said solution or suspension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the amount of biomass used is from about 5 parts by dry weight to about 20 parts by dry weight, per part by weight of uranium or thorium in the aqueous solution or suspension.
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) | 1985-03-15 | 1985-09-14 | 1986-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-09-14 | 1990-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-15 | 1993-09-14 | 1994-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |