Patent US4456532A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4456532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Biological flocculation of mineral slimes
Assignee: IMC Fertilizer Inc
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Filing: 1983-05-09
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Granted: 1984-06-26
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Expires: 2003-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of mixing the slimes with a microorganism species or a mixture thereof or ruptured or dried cells thereof, or a fermentation beer on which the organism was grown wherein the organism is selected from the group of cyanobacteria and allowing the mixture to separate into a clear upper layer and a consolidated slimes lower layer.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Leslie
- 👤 Randolph L. Greasham
- 👤 Matthew H. Hulbert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:22
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/01; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/28; C02F1/286; C02F1/52; C02F1/5263; C02F3/00; C02F3/34; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/12; C12N1/125; C12R; C12R2001/00; C12R2001/89; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/902; Y10S210/906; Y10S210/907; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of (a) culturing a microorganism selected from the cyanobacterium group in a body of open water where the cells collect at or near the surface, (b) harvesting the cells after sufficient growth has occurred, (c) delivering the cells to the slimes and mixing well so that the slimes contain a suspension of whole or ruptured cells, (d) subjecting the slimes to an initial dewatering step until maximum pumpable density is reached, and (e) effecting final dewatering of the slimes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of (a) culturing a microorganism selected from the cyanobacterium group in a body of open water where the cells collect at or near the surface, (b) harvesting the cells after sufficient growth has occurred, (c) delivering the cells to the slimes and mixing well so that the slimes contain a suspension of whole or ruptured cells, (d) subjecting the slimes to an initial dewatering step until maximum pumpable density is reached, and (e) effecting final dewatering of the slimes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the microorganism is a species of the genera Anacystis, Anabaena, Spirulina, Gloeocapsa or Nostoc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein living or dried cells of A. nidulans are used as the microorganism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein dried or ruptured cells are used.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the cells are those of A. nidulans.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the cells are those of A. cylindrica.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 where the cells are those of Spirulina spp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of (a) culturing a microorganism selected from the cyanobacterium group on a nutritive fermentation medium to form a beer having flocculating properties, (b) separating the beer after sufficient growth has occurred, (c) delivering the beer to the slimes and mixing well, (d) subjecting the slimes to an initial dewatering step until maximum pumpable density is reached, (e) effecting final dewatering of the slimes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of (a) culturing a microorganism selected from the cyanobacterium group on a nutritive fermentation medium to form a beer having flocculating properties, (b) separating the beer after sufficient growth has occurred, (c) delivering the beer to the slimes and mixing well, (d) subjecting the slimes to an initial dewatering step until maximum pumpable density is reached, (e) effecting final dewatering of the slimes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the microorganism is a species of the genera Anacystis, Anabaena, Spirulina, Gloeocapsa or Nostoc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the microorganism is A. nidulans.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the microorganism is A. cylindrica.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the microorganism is a Spirulina spp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 or 8 wherein the slimes result from the beneficiation of phosphate rock ore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 or 8 wherein the slimes result from the beneficiation of potash.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-26 | 1987-12-26 | 1988-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-26 | 1991-12-26 | 1992-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-12-26 | 1996-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |