US3615815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal cleaning process
Assignee: Horizons Research Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-03
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Granted: 1971-10-26
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Expires: 1989-03-03
Abstract
Abstract This invention is an improvement on my U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,766 and is directed to the recovery of metal values in scrap materials by separating the metal values from any nonmetallic material associated therewith, such as insulation on wires or other electrical equipment. The improvement resides in carrying out the removal of unwanted nonmetallic materials in two separate stages, the second of which is similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,766, but is carried out much more efficiently because of the treatment which prepares the scrap for this step. In the first stage, a substantial amount of the nonmetallic material is removed by either burning or immersion in a nonoxidizing fused salt melt.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene Wainer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:09
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B1/00; C22B1/005; C23; C23G; C23G1/00; C23G1/28; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In a process in which the metal in metal-containing scrap is separated from both the combustible and noncombustible nonmetallic material with which it is contaminated by immersion of the scrap in a reactive oxidizing fused salt melt consisting essentially of an alkali mEtal nitrite, while said melt is maintained at a temperature below the melting point of the scrap metal, the improvement whereby the useful life and efficiency of the reactive fused salt melt are increased which comprises: removing a substantial portion of the nonmetallic material associated with said scrap prior to immersion of said scrap in the reactive fused salt melt, said removal being effected by immersion of the scrap in a nonoxidizing fused salt melt maintained nonoxidizing and at a temperature between about350* C. and 70* C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the duration of the immersion in the second treating step is between about 20 seconds and about 2 minutes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the scrap is washed and dried after the first immersion and before the second immersion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 2 in which the metal scrap being processed is cupreous scrap and wherein said nonoxidizing fused salt melt consists essentially of at least one alkali metal hydroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 2 in which the metal scrap being processed is ferrous scrap and wherein said nonoxidizing fused salt melt consists essentially of at least one alkali metal hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 2 in which the metal scrap being processed is ferrous scrap and wherein said nonoxidizing fused salt melt comprise at least two salts taken from the group consisting of alkali halides, alkaline earth halides, alkali carbonates, alkali borates, alkali phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 2 in which the metal scrap being processed is nonferrous scrap and wherein said nonoxidizing fused salt melt comprises at least two salts taken from the group consisting of alkali halides, alkaline earth halides, alkali carbonates, alkali borates, alkali phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 2 in which the metal scrap being processed is copper scrap and wherein said nonoxidizing fused salt melt comprises at least two salts taken from the group consisting of alkali halides, alkaline earth halides, alkali carbonates, alkali borates, alkali phosphates, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said nonoxidizing fused salt melt comprises at least two salts taken from the group consisting of alkali halides, alkaline earth halides, alkali carbonates, alkali borates, alkali phosphates, and mixtures thereof which is maintained molten under a nonoxidizing atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the nonoxidizing atmosphere comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of CO2, N2 and NH3.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the nonoxidizing atmosphere is maintained by bubbling a gas selected from the group consisting of CO2, N2 and NH3 into the fused salt melt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-25 | 1975-04-26 | 1975-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-25 | 1979-04-26 | 1979-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-25 | 1983-04-26 | 1983-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |