US3883344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for treating copper ore concentrates
Assignee: Hecla Mining Co
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Filing: 1973-11-07
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-11-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for oxidizing mixed solids containing copper compounds and other metal sulfides by heat treatment to produce a calcine having the copper compounds in readily leachable form and these other metal sulfides in a difficulty leachable form in which the mixed solids are roasted by passing through two successive fluid bed roasters. The gaseous products and entrained solids from each roaster are separated and the separated solids recycled through the second roaster for further roasting.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Griffith
- 👤 Nicholas Tschischow
- 👤 Theodore S Jordan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:26
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B1/00; C22B1/02; C22B1/10; C22B15/00; C22B15/0002; C22B15/001; C22B15/0013; C22B15/0015; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
THE METHOD OF OXIDIZING METAL SOLIDS CONTAINING COPPER COMPOUNDS AND OTHER METAL SULFIDES TO PRODUCT A CALCINE HAVING THE COPPER COMPOUNDS IN A READILY LEACHABLE FORM AND SAID OTHER METAL SULFIDES IN A DIFICULTY LEACHABLE FORM, COMPRISING: MAINTAINING SAID SOLIDS IN A FINELY DIVIDED FORM IN A LOOSE, FLOWABLE MAIN BED WHILE CONTACTING THE SOLIDS WITH A SUPPLY OF FREE OXYGEN AND MAINTAINING SAID BED AT AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 550*-750*C. TO PRODUCE AN OXIDIZED BED COMPRISING COPPER SULFATE AND GASEOUS REACTION PRODUCT MIXED WITH ENTRAPED FINE SOLIDS; ISOLATING SAID GASEOUS REACTION PRODUCTS MIXED WITH SAID FINE SOLIDS FROM SAID MAIN BED; SEPARATING SAID ENTRAPPED FINE SOLIDS FROM SAID GAEOUS REACTION PRODUCTS EXTERIORLY OF SAID MAIN BED WHILE MAINTAINING AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE IN SAID FINE SOLIDS AND THEN MIXING SAID HEATED FINE SOLIDS AFTER SAID FINE SOLIDS AND THEN MIXING SAID 550*-750*C. SOLIDS FROM SAID MAIN BED TO FORM A MIXTURE OF FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS; MAINTAINING SAID MIXTURE OF FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS IN A LOOSE, FLOWABLE SECONDARY BED WHILE CONTACTING THE SOLIDS IN SAID SECONDARY BED WITH A SEPARATE SUPPLY OF FREE OXYGEN SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE LOCATION WHERE SAID MIXING OF SAID SEPARATED FINE SOLIDS AND SAID MAIN BED PORTION OCCURS AND MAINTAINING SAID SECONDARY BED AT A ROASTING TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 450*-750*C., SAID SECONDARY BED TEMPERATURE BEING NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 100:C. BELOW THAT OF SAID MAIN BED TO PRODUCT A CALCINE RICH IN COPPER SULFATE; AND DISCHARGING SAID SECONDARY BED CALCINE PREPARATORY TO RECOVERING THE COPPER CONTENT.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
250 words
THE METHOD OF OXIDIZING METAL SOLIDS CONTAINING COPPER COMPOUNDS AND OTHER METAL SULFIDES TO PRODUCT A CALCINE HAVING THE COPPER COMPOUNDS IN A READILY LEACHABLE FORM AND SAID OTHER METAL SULFIDES IN A DIFICULTY LEACHABLE FORM, COMPRISING: MAINTAINING SAID SOLIDS IN A FINELY DIVIDED FORM IN A LOOSE, FLOWABLE MAIN BED WHILE CONTACTING THE SOLIDS WITH A SUPPLY OF FREE OXYGEN AND MAINTAINING SAID BED AT AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 550*-750*C. TO PRODUCE AN OXIDIZED BED COMPRISING COPPER SULFATE AND GASEOUS REACTION PRODUCT MIXED WITH ENTRAPED FINE SOLIDS; ISOLATING SAID GASEOUS REACTION PRODUCTS MIXED WITH SAID FINE SOLIDS FROM SAID MAIN BED; SEPARATING SAID ENTRAPPED FINE SOLIDS FROM SAID GAEOUS REACTION PRODUCTS EXTERIORLY OF SAID MAIN BED WHILE MAINTAINING AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE IN SAID FINE SOLIDS AND THEN MIXING SAID HEATED FINE SOLIDS AFTER SAID FINE SOLIDS AND THEN MIXING SAID 550*-750*C. SOLIDS FROM SAID MAIN BED TO FORM A MIXTURE OF FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS; MAINTAINING SAID MIXTURE OF FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS IN A LOOSE, FLOWABLE SECONDARY BED WHILE CONTACTING THE SOLIDS IN SAID SECONDARY BED WITH A SEPARATE SUPPLY OF FREE OXYGEN SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE LOCATION WHERE SAID MIXING OF SAID SEPARATED FINE SOLIDS AND SAID MAIN BED PORTION OCCURS AND MAINTAINING SAID SECONDARY BED AT A ROASTING TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 450*-750*C., SAID SECONDARY BED TEMPERATURE BEING NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 100:C. BELOW THAT OF SAID MAIN BED TO PRODUCT A CALCINE RICH IN COPPER SULFATE; AND DISCHARGING SAID SECONDARY BED CALCINE PREPARATORY TO RECOVERING THE COPPER CONTENT.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solids are subjected in said beds simultaneously to said separate flows of free oxygen under pressure to maintain said loose flowable beds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gaseous reaction products and entrapped solids are conveyed from the vicinity of said main bed to a separator, followed by separating said entrapped solids and conveying the separated solids to said secondary bed for said mixing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said secondary bed is maintained in heat receiving contact with the main bed to receive heat therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 wherein both said main and secondary beds are insulated against substantial heat losses to the external ambient environment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solids are subjected in said beds to a flow of gas that contains the free oxygen with the gas being under pressure to maintain said loose flowable beds and conveying said gaseous reaction products and entrapped solids from the vicinity of said main bed to a separator, separating said entrapped solids and conveying the separated solids to said secondary bed for said mixing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said secondary bed is maintained in heat receiving contact with the main bed to receive heat therefrom and said main and secondary beds are insulated against substantial heat losses to the external ambient environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said separator is insulated against substantial heat losses and said separated solids are insulated against substantial heat losses during said cOnveying.
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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |