Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A process for removing transition metal ions from aqueous solution, said transition metal ions being selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, said process comprising contacting said aqueous solution with a crystalline transition metal aluminate conforming generally to the formula MA.sub.a.sup.v Z.sub.b.sup.v.nAl(OH).sub.3.mH.sub.2 O where M is at least one divalent transition metal selected from the group comprising Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, where AZ represents negative valence ions or radicals, n is a value of from about 1 to about 4, v is a negative valence of 1, 2, or 3, a and b are each values of from zero to 2, with (va)+(vb) equal to 2, and with m being a value of zero or more; wherein the transition metal in the aluminate structure corresponds to the transition metal in said solution, said transition metal aluminate being deficient in said transition metal ion at the outset, continuing said contacting until the said transition metal aluminate has become substantially enriched by transition metal ions from the said aqueous solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A process for removing transition metal ions from aqueous solution, said transition metal ions being selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, said process comprising contacting said aqueous solution with a crystalline transition metal aluminate conforming generally to the formula MA.sub.a.sup.v Z.sub.b.sup.v.nAl(OH).sub.3.mH.sub.2 O where M is at least one divalent transition metal selected from the group comprising Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, where AZ represents negative valence ions or radicals, n is a value of from about 1 to about 4, v is a negative valence of 1, 2, or 3, a and b are each values of from zero to 2, with (va)+(vb) equal to 2, and with m being a value of zero or more; wherein the transition metal in the aluminate structure corresponds to the transition metal in said solution, said transition metal aluminate being deficient in said transition metal ion at the outset, continuing said contacting until the said transition metal aluminate has become substantially enriched by transition metal ions from the said aqueous solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 in which the additional step of water-eluting transition metal ions from the enriched transition metal aluminate is performed, thereby regenerating the aluminate in the transition metal-deficient form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is Cu.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is Zn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is Mn.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is Fe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is Co.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the transition metal is Ni.