US3966890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of producing solutions containing cuprous ions
Assignee: Anumin Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1974-12-17
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Granted: 1976-06-29
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Expires: 1994-12-17
Abstract
Abstract Methods of reducing aqueous solutions of cupric sulfate to cuprous solutions by using organic nitrile compositions are disclosed. The particular nitrile used is acetonitrile and the reductant is sulphur dioxide. The method has application commercially to leaching ores containing oxidised copper to obtain cuprous ion solutions. Such solutions can be treated by electrochemical or thermal disproportionation methods to obtain very pure copper.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan James Parker
- 👤 Winfield Earle Waghorne
- 👤 Dion Ewing Giles
- 👤 John Howard Sharp
- 👤 Robert Alexander
- 👤 David Michael Muir
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:42
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C1/00; C25C1/12; C01; C01G; C01G3/00; C01G3/10; C22; C22B; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; C22B15/0065; C22B15/0067; C22B15/0071; C22B15/0073; C22B15/0084; C22B15/0089; C22B15/0093; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of reducing an aqueous cupric sulfate solution to a solution containing cuprous sulfite, cuprous bisulfite or mixtures thereof comprising mixing said aqueous cupric sulfate solution with between 5 and 30% acetonitrile, adding sulfur dioxide and maintaining the pH of the cupric sulfate solution between 1 and 6 until a solution containing cuprous sulfite, cuprous bisulfite or mixtures thereof is formed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of reducing an aqueous cupric sulfate solution to a solution containing cuprous sulfite, cuprous bisulfite or mixtures thereof comprising mixing said aqueous cupric sulfate solution with between 5 and 30% acetonitrile, adding sulfur dioxide and maintaining the pH of the cupric sulfate solution between 1 and 6 until a solution containing cuprous sulfite, cuprous bisulfite or mixtures thereof is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising adding a base to the cupric sulfate solution to maintain said pH between 1 and 6.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of leaching copper values as a solution containing cuprous sulfate, cuprous bisulfite or mixtures thereof from a material selected from the group consisting of copper oxides, copper carbonates and copper hydroxides comprising mixing said material in a leaching vesel under an atmosphere of sulphur dioxide with a homogeneous composition containing aqueous cupric sulfate assaying at least 0.05% cupric ion by weight, 5 to 30% by volume of acetonitrile, and at least 50% by volume water, allowing the mixture to react, separating unreacted solids from the mixture and recovering the resulting solution containing cuprous sulfate, cuprous, bisulfite or mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of leaching copper values as a solution containing cuprous sulfate, cuprous bisulfite or mixtures thereof from a material selected from the group consisting of copper oxides, copper carbonates and copper hydroxides comprising mixing said material in a leaching vesel under an atmosphere of sulphur dioxide with a homogeneous composition containing aqueous cupric sulfate assaying at least 0.05% cupric ion by weight, 5 to 30% by volume of acetonitrile, and at least 50% by volume water, allowing the mixture to react, separating unreacted solids from the mixture and recovering the resulting solution containing cuprous sulfate, cuprous, bisulfite or mixtures thereof.
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) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |