Specialized metallurgical processes – compositions for use therei – Processes – Electrothermic processes
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-19
2003-07-15
Andrews, Melvyn (Department: 1742)
Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei
Processes
Electrothermic processes
C075S010190, C075S419000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06592644
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a process for extracting metals from a copper-sulfidic and/or copper/iron-sulfidic ore or ore concentrate.
By far the biggest part of the world's copper production (about 90%) is extracted from copper sulfide minerals. Among the copper sulfide minerals, there may be mentioned, above all, chalcopyrite (CuFeS
2
), bornite (Cu
5
FeS
4
), cubanite (CuFeS
4
), chalcosine (Cu
2
S), digenite (Cu
9
S
5
), covelline (CuS), enargite (Cu
3
AsS
4
), tennantite (Cu
12
As
4
S
13
) and tetrahedrite (Cu
12
Sb
4
S
13
).
Among the copper sulfide minerals, chalcopyrite is the most widespread mineral; therefore, it is of the greatest scientific and economic importance in the development of new extraction methods.
In addition, chalcopyrite is characterized by always containing deposited gold, platinum metals and other rare metals as well as rare earths.
The copper sulfide minerals are extracted from ores, which are usually milled and concentrated by a flotation process to yield an ore concentrate, whereby a substantial part of the silicates contained in the ground stock, in particular, is separated off.
Today, in addition to the known pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes, there are various approaches to leaching copper and other metals occurring in the copper sulfide minerals from the ores or ore concentrates using bioleaching processes. This involves the problem that only about 20% of the copper contained in chalcopyrite can be leached out using the known processes because passivation of the chalcopyrite occurs.
Although a large number of attempts to avoid the passivation of chalcopyrite have been successfully performed on a laboratory scale, no utilizable process technology for metal extraction could be derived therefrom to date.
Thus, it has been the object of the invention to provide an improved process for extracting copper and other metals from chalcopyrite.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3459535 (1969-08-01), Vizsolyi et al.
patent: 3985555 (1976-10-01), Shirts et al.
patent: 4177067 (1979-12-01), Pepper et al.
patent: 5316567 (1994-05-01), Jones
patent: 5611839 (1997-03-01), Kohr
patent: 5914441 (1999-06-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 6074533 (2000-06-01), Tranquilla
patent: 6168766 (2001-01-01), Imai et al.
patent: XP-002166815 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 1 558 425 (1973-10-01), None
patent: 24 27 158 (1975-12-01), None
patent: 197 37 452 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 0 522 978 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 1467360 (1977-03-01), None
patent: XP-002166816 (1974-04-01), None
patent: WO 96/27030 (1996-09-01), None
patent: WO 98/39491 (1998-11-01), None
patent: WO 98/51828 (1998-11-01), None
patent: WO 99/36582 (1999-07-01), None
patent: WO 00/06785 (2000-02-01), None
patent: WO 01/44524 (2001-06-01), None
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition. 1992. 2 pages.*
Norio Wakao et al. “Bacterial Pyrite Oxidation III. Adsorption of Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans Cells on Solid Surfaces and its Effect on Iron Release from Pyrite”, J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol., 30, pp.,63-77 (1984). No month.
D.W. Duncan et al., “Leaching of Chalcopyrite with Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans: Effect of Surfactants and Shaking”, American Society for Microbiology, vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 122-126, (1964). Mar.
Corale L. Brierley, “Bacterial Oxidation”, pp. 42-44, May (1995).
LandOfFree
Sulfidization of sulfide ores for hydrometallurgical... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sulfidization of sulfide ores for hydrometallurgical..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sulfidization of sulfide ores for hydrometallurgical... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3094749