US4563337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for continuous ion exchange
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1982-08-13
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Granted: 1986-01-07
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Expires: 2002-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of continuous ion exchange for waste water treatment and metal recovery employs two membranes, each disposed in its own fluid-tight chamber. A feed solution containing metal ions is passed in contact with one membrane, the opposite side of which is in contact with a recirculating flow of liquid ion exchange material which receives selected dissolved mineral ions. The liquid ion exchange material is then passed over a second membrane, the other side of which is supplied with an eluant solution for further selective recovery of the desired mineral ion or ions. During recirculation the liquid ion exchange material is preferably passed through an aqueous separator. An apparatus for the practice of the present invention is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bang M. Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:28
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/24; B01D61/243; C; C01; C01G; C01G3/00; C01G3/003; C01G37/00; C01G37/003; C22; C22B; C22B3/00; C22B3/02; C22B3/20; C22B3/42; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A method for continuous recovery of selected metal ions from an aqueous solution containing at least one metal ion species, said method comprising the steps of: contacting said metal ion containing solution with a first side of a first membrane disposed in a first chamber; contacting the second side of said first membrane in said first chamber with an organic liquid ion exchange material for selective extraction of at least one of said metal ion species from said metal ion containing solution said liquid ion exchange material being chosen to selectively extract at least one metal ion specie from said aqueous solution; circulating said liquid ion exchange material that has been in contact with said second side of said first membrane in said first chamber, so as to contact a first side of a second membrane disposed in a second chamber with said circulating liquid ion exchange material; passing the liquid ion exchange material that has been in contact with the first side of said second membrane through aqueous separation means for removal of water from said liquid ion exchange material; recirculating the treated liquid ion exchange material from said separator so as to recontact the second side of said first membrane in said first chamber; and passing an eluant solution in contact with the second side of said second membrane so as to selectively extract at least one of said metal ion species said eluant being chosen to selectively extract at least one of said metal ion species, extract at least one metal ion specie from in said liquid ion exchange material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
263 words
A method for continuous recovery of selected metal ions from an aqueous solution containing at least one metal ion species, said method comprising the steps of: contacting said metal ion containing solution with a first side of a first membrane disposed in a first chamber; contacting the second side of said first membrane in said first chamber with an organic liquid ion exchange material for selective extraction of at least one of said metal ion species from said metal ion containing solution said liquid ion exchange material being chosen to selectively extract at least one metal ion specie from said aqueous solution; circulating said liquid ion exchange material that has been in contact with said second side of said first membrane in said first chamber, so as to contact a first side of a second membrane disposed in a second chamber with said circulating liquid ion exchange material; passing the liquid ion exchange material that has been in contact with the first side of said second membrane through aqueous separation means for removal of water from said liquid ion exchange material; recirculating the treated liquid ion exchange material from said separator so as to recontact the second side of said first membrane in said first chamber; and passing an eluant solution in contact with the second side of said second membrane so as to selectively extract at least one of said metal ion species said eluant being chosen to selectively extract at least one of said metal ion species, extract at least one metal ion specie from in said liquid ion exchange material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which said first and second membranes are selected from the group consisting of porous reverse osmosis membranes, dialysis membranes and ultrafiltration membranes.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for continuous metallic ion recovery from an aqueous metallic ion containing solution, said apparatus comprising: first, open-loop means for contacting said metallic ion containing solution with a first side of a first membrane; second, closed-loop means for circulating an organic liquid ion exchange material in a continuous loop, in contact with a second side of said first membrane, in contact with a first side of a second membrane, and through aqueous separation means; and third, open-loop means for contacting an eluant solution with a second side of said second membrane for selective extraction of said at least one metallic ion species from said liquid ion exchange material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for continuous metallic ion recovery from an aqueous metallic ion containing solution, said apparatus comprising: first, open-loop means for contacting said metallic ion containing solution with a first side of a first membrane; second, closed-loop means for circulating an organic liquid ion exchange material in a continuous loop, in contact with a second side of said first membrane, in contact with a first side of a second membrane, and through aqueous separation means; and third, open-loop means for contacting an eluant solution with a second side of said second membrane for selective extraction of said at least one metallic ion species from said liquid ion exchange material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said aqueous separation means comprises a settling container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including second aqueous separation means within said second loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said first and second membranes are selected from the group consisting of porous reverse osmosis membranes, dialysis membranes and ultrafiltration membranes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said membranes function to separate aqueous and organic phases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which said eluant comprises material selected from the group consisting of H 2 SO 4 , HNO 3 and HCl.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 in which said metallic ion species comprises copper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which said metallic ion species comprises chromate ions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 in which said eluant solution comprises material selected from the group consisting of NaOH and NaCl.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for continuous metallic ion recovery from an aqueous metallic ion containing solution comprising: a first fluid-tight chamber having a first membrane disposed therein so as to define a first and second volume within said first chamber; a second fluid-tight chamber having a second membrane disposed therein so as to define a third and fourth volume within said second fluid-tight chamber; a fluid flow path to said third volume from said second volume; a fluid flow path from said third volume to said second volume; aqueous separation means disposed either in the flow path from said third volume to said second volume or in the flow path from said second volume to said third volume; means for providing flow of said metallic ion containing solution through said first volume in contact with said first membrane; and means for providing fluid flow of an eluant solution through said fourth volume in contact with said second membrane.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for continuous metallic ion recovery from an aqueous metallic ion containing solution comprising: a first fluid-tight chamber having a first membrane disposed therein so as to define a first and second volume within said first chamber; a second fluid-tight chamber having a second membrane disposed therein so as to define a third and fourth volume within said second fluid-tight chamber; a fluid flow path to said third volume from said second volume; a fluid flow path from said third volume to said second volume; aqueous separation means disposed either in the flow path from said third volume to said second volume or in the flow path from said second volume to said third volume; means for providing flow of said metallic ion containing solution through said first volume in contact with said first membrane; and means for providing fluid flow of an eluant solution through said fourth volume in contact with said second membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said aqueous separation means comprises a settling container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said first and second membranes are selected from the group consisting of porous reverse osmosis membranes, dialysis membranes and ultrafiltration membranes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said membranes function to separate aqueous from organic phases.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which aqueous separation means are disposed in the fluid flow path from said third volume to said second volume and also in the flow path from said second volume to said third volume.
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) | 1989-01-06 | 1989-07-08 | 1990-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-06 | 1993-07-08 | 1994-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-06 | 1997-07-08 | 1998-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |