US3900314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for recovering dissolved copper from solutions containing copper
Assignee: Cities Service Oil Co
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Filing: 1972-09-29
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1992-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for recovering copper values from acidic solutions containing dissolved copper is disclosed. The process and apparatus comprises reacting in an intake line and feed pump powdered iron in the size range of up to -40 mesh with the solution to displace the copper therefrom as metallic copper, and separating the copper from the solution by settling the metallic copper in the bottom of a vessel known as a polishing tower. Preferably, the solution is clarified by passing it upwardly through a bed of scrap iron, after which the solution is centrifuged to remove particles therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Hulsebos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:04
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; C22B15/0084; C22B15/0089; C22B15/0091; C22B15/0086; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERING COPPER VALUES FROM SOLUTIONS CONTAINING THE SAME, WHEREIN POWDERED IRON IS USED TO REDUCE COPPER IN THE SOLUTION TO METALLIC COPPER, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES MIXING POWDERED IRON WITH THE COPPER BEARING SOLUTION IN A HIGHLY TURBULENT MIXING ZONE, AND REDUCING THE FLOW VELOCITY OF THE SOLUTION CONTAINING THE METALLIC COPPER BY TANGENTIALLY DISCHARGING FROM THE TURBULENT MIXING ZONE TO A SETTLING ZONE PERMITTING THE SOLUTION TO FLOW CIRCUMFERENTIALLY IN THE SETTLING ZONE AND FOR THE COPPER TO SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM OF ZONE, PASSING SAID SOLUTION FROM THE SETTLING ZONE UPWARDLY THROUHG A BED OF SCRAP IRON, SAID SCRAP IRON
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERING COPPER VALUES FROM SOLUTIONS CONTAINING THE SAME, WHEREIN POWDERED IRON IS USED TO REDUCE COPPER IN THE SOLUTION TO METALLIC COPPER, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES MIXING POWDERED IRON WITH THE COPPER BEARING SOLUTION IN A HIGHLY TURBULENT MIXING ZONE, AND REDUCING THE FLOW VELOCITY OF THE SOLUTION CONTAINING THE METALLIC COPPER BY TANGENTIALLY DISCHARGING FROM THE TURBULENT MIXING ZONE TO A SETTLING ZONE PERMITTING THE SOLUTION TO FLOW CIRCUMFERENTIALLY IN THE SETTLING ZONE AND FOR THE COPPER TO SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM OF ZONE, PASSING SAID SOLUTION FROM THE SETTLING ZONE UPWARDLY THROUHG A BED OF SCRAP IRON, SAID SCRAP IRON
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
A process for recovering dissolved copper values from solutions containing the same comprising: mixing powdered iron with said solution in a turbulent reaction zone for a sufficient time to allow the iron to reduce the copper in solution to metallic copper: reducing the flow velocity of the solution containing the metallic copper by tangentially entering the solution into a settling zone permitting the solution to flow circumferentially around the settling zone and the copper to settle to the bottom of the zone; withdrawing the settled metallic copper from the bottom of the settling zone and passing the solution from the settling zone upwardly through a bed of scrap iron, and centrifuging the solUtion to separate any remaining particulate, metallic copper therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
A process for recovering dissolved copper values from solutions containing the same comprising: mixing powdered iron with said solution in a turbulent reaction zone for a sufficient time to allow the iron to reduce the copper in solution to metallic copper: reducing the flow velocity of the solution containing the metallic copper by tangentially entering the solution into a settling zone permitting the solution to flow circumferentially around the settling zone and the copper to settle to the bottom of the zone; withdrawing the settled metallic copper from the bottom of the settling zone and passing the solution from the settling zone upwardly through a bed of scrap iron, and centrifuging the solUtion to separate any remaining particulate, metallic copper therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 which additionally comprises recycling a portion of said centrifuged solution to said reaction zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said powdered iron is in the form of particulate iron in the size range of up to -40 mesh on the U.S. Sieve Scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said powdered iron is in the amount of up to the stoicheiometrically calculated quantity to replace said copper values in said solution according to the equation: Cu + Fe -> Fe + Cu
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 5 which additionally comprises: passing said solution from the settling zone upwardly through a bed of scrap iron, said bed of scrap iron acting to trap entrained metallic copper and to displace remaining copper values dissolved in the solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said solution after passing through said scrap iron bed is centrifuged to separate any remaining particulate metallic copper therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 7 which additionally comprises recycling a portion of said centrifuged solution in the amount of up to 50% by volume of total stream to said reaction zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said copper solution is a dilute aqueous solution of copper sulfate.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |