US4739973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chemical extraction of metals from ores
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A novel system for chemically leaching ore that decreases pollution to the environment and that enhances reaction kinetics and economic considerations. An impervious covering (18) blankets a distribution network of drip lines (17) laid over the ore heap (14). A lixiviate containing solution is forced by means of a pump (11) through a venturi eductor (19) into the distribution network of drip lines (17) for application to the ore heap (14). After percolating through the ore heap (14), the leach solution is recycled through a recovery system (16) to the venturi eductor (19).
Inventors
- 👤 J. Marvin Herndon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:24
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B3/00; C22B3/04; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for chemically leaching ore, comprising: (a) an impermeable pad, (b) an accumulation of ore heaped upon said impermeable pad, (c) a lixiviate containing solution, (d) a solution distribution drip network consisting of perforated, porous, slotted, or split pipes or tubes whereby said lixiviate containing solution is contacted with said accumulation of ore by dripping said lixiviate containing solution from said perforated, porous, slotted, or split pipes or tubes directly onto said accumulation of ore, (e) a covering, impervious to said lixiviate containing solution, blanketing said solution distribution drip network and said accumulation of ore, (f) means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution under or through said covering and into said solution distribution drip network, (g) a venturi eductor whereby air or gases are drawn into said lixiviate containing solution, (h) means for pumping said lixiviate containing solution through said venture eductor and into said solution distribution drip network, (i) means for collecting said lixiviate containing solution after percolation through said accumulation of ore, (j) means for recovering metal values from said lixiviate containing solution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for chemically leaching ore, comprising: (a) an impermeable pad, (b) an accumulation of ore heaped upon said impermeable pad, (c) a lixiviate containing solution, (d) a solution distribution drip network consisting of perforated, porous, slotted, or split pipes or tubes whereby said lixiviate containing solution is contacted with said accumulation of ore by dripping said lixiviate containing solution from said perforated, porous, slotted, or split pipes or tubes directly onto said accumulation of ore, (e) a covering, impervious to said lixiviate containing solution, blanketing said solution distribution drip network and said accumulation of ore, (f) means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution under or through said covering and into said solution distribution drip network, (g) a venturi eductor whereby air or gases are drawn into said lixiviate containing solution, (h) means for pumping said lixiviate containing solution through said venture eductor and into said solution distribution drip network, (i) means for collecting said lixiviate containing solution after percolation through said accumulation of ore, (j) means for recovering metal values from said lixiviate containing solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said lixiviate containing solution is alkaline and contains sodium cyanide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said lixiviate containing solution is acidic and contains thiourea.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said distribution drip network consists of perforated plastic tubing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said covering consists of impervious plastic sheeting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution through said covering and into said solution distribution drip network comprises a hole or slit through said covering and a pipe or tube protruded through said hole or slit through which said lixiviate containing solution is conveyed into said solution distribution drip network.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for chemically leaching ore, comprising: (a) an impermeable pad, (b) an accumulation of ore heaped upon said impermeable pad, (c) a lixiviate containing solution, (d) a plurality of reservoir ponds atop said accumulation of ore wherein said lixiviate containing solution accumulates and contacts said accumulation of ore by downward percolation, (e) a covering, impervious to said lixiviate containing solution, blanketing said plurality of reservoir ponds and said accumulation of ore, (f) means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution under or through said covering and into said plurality of reservoir ponds, (g) a venturi eductor whereby air or gases are drawn into said lixiviate containing solution, (h) means for pumping said lixiviate containing solution through said venturi eductor and into said plurality of reservoir ponds, (i) means for collecting said lixiviate containing solution after percolation through said accumulation of ore, (j) means for recovering metal values from said lixiviate containing solution.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for chemically leaching ore, comprising: (a) an impermeable pad, (b) an accumulation of ore heaped upon said impermeable pad, (c) a lixiviate containing solution, (d) a plurality of reservoir ponds atop said accumulation of ore wherein said lixiviate containing solution accumulates and contacts said accumulation of ore by downward percolation, (e) a covering, impervious to said lixiviate containing solution, blanketing said plurality of reservoir ponds and said accumulation of ore, (f) means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution under or through said covering and into said plurality of reservoir ponds, (g) a venturi eductor whereby air or gases are drawn into said lixiviate containing solution, (h) means for pumping said lixiviate containing solution through said venturi eductor and into said plurality of reservoir ponds, (i) means for collecting said lixiviate containing solution after percolation through said accumulation of ore, (j) means for recovering metal values from said lixiviate containing solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said lixiviate containing solution is alkaline and contains sodium cyanide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said lixiviate containing solution is acidic and contains thiourea.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said plurality of reservoir ponds are configurated by a plurality of berms arranged in a grid network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said covering consists of impervious plastic sheeting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution through a said covering and into said plurality of reservoir ponds comprises a hole or slit through said covering and a pipe or tube protruded through said hole or slit through which said lixiviate containing solution is conveyed into said plurality of reservoir ponds.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for chemically leaching ore, comprising: (a) a vat, (b) an accumulation of ore loaded into said vat, (c) a lixiviate containing solution, (d) a solution distribution manifold consisting of perforated, porous, slotted, or split pipes or tubes whereby said lixiviate containing solution is injected into said vat and contacted therein with said accumulation of ore, (e) a covering, impervious to said lixiviate containing solution, blanketing said solution distribution manifold and said accumulation of ore, (f) means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution through the wall of said vat and into said solution distribution manifold, (g) a venturi eductor whereby air or gases are drawn into said lixiviate containing solution, (h) means for pumping said lixiviate containing solution through said venturi eductor and into said solution distribution manifold, (i) means for collecting said lixiviate containing solution after percolation through said accumulation of ore, (j) means for recovering metal values from said lixiviate containing solution.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for chemically leaching ore, comprising: (a) a vat, (b) an accumulation of ore loaded into said vat, (c) a lixiviate containing solution, (d) a solution distribution manifold consisting of perforated, porous, slotted, or split pipes or tubes whereby said lixiviate containing solution is injected into said vat and contacted therein with said accumulation of ore, (e) a covering, impervious to said lixiviate containing solution, blanketing said solution distribution manifold and said accumulation of ore, (f) means for conveying said lixiviate containing solution through the wall of said vat and into said solution distribution manifold, (g) a venturi eductor whereby air or gases are drawn into said lixiviate containing solution, (h) means for pumping said lixiviate containing solution through said venturi eductor and into said solution distribution manifold, (i) means for collecting said lixiviate containing solution after percolation through said accumulation of ore, (j) means for recovering metal values from said lixiviate containing solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said lixiviate containing solution is alkaline and contains sodium cyanide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said lixiviate containing solution is acidic and contains thiourea.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said solution distribution manifold consists of perforated steel pipes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said vat is painted with non-reflective black paint whereby solar collection is improved.
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) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |