Chemistry of inorganic compounds – Treating mixture to obtain metal containing compound – Group ivb metal
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-07
2004-08-24
Bos, Steven (Department: 1754)
Chemistry of inorganic compounds
Treating mixture to obtain metal containing compound
Group ivb metal
C423S008000, C423S009000, C423S082000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06780384
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to chemical and physical treatment of hard-rock ores to recover uranium and zirconium compounds.
2. Discussion
Techniques exist for extracting uranium from hard rock ores. However, no methods currently exist for recovering other metal values, such as zirconium, in high purity (≧98.5 wt. %) from uranium-tainted ores, including Caldasite ores.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of recovering zirconium values from an ore containing zircon, baddeleyite, and uranium. The method includes contacting the ore with sulfuric acid to produce a liquid phase comprised of zirconium and uranium values and a solid phase comprised of baddeleyite and silica. In accordance with the method, silica is separated from the baddeleyite by dispersing the solid phase in an aqueous basic solution to dissolve the silica. Baddeleyite is further concentrated by contacting the solid phase with sulfuric acid to convert baddeleyite to zirconium sulfate, which is soluble in the liquid phase. To concentrate the zirconium values, the method provides for contacting the liquid phase with an organic phase in order to extract the zirconium and uranium values into the organic phase, which is contacted with an aqueous solution to strip off zirconium values. Generally, the method provides for contacting either the ore or the baddeleyite with sulfuric acid at a temperature between about 135° C. and about 255° C., and often at a temperature between about 175° C. and 255° C.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4746497 (1988-05-01), Jenkins et al.
Dilday Daniel R.
Philips, Jr. Robert W.
Tierney David R.
Williams Allen L.
Bos Steven
Cotter Corporation (NSL)
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
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