US4033764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of metals
Assignee: Evonik LIL Ltd
•
Filing: 1975-05-20
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Granted: 1977-07-05
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Expires: 1995-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Metal ions may be scavenged from solution by means of a complexing agent comprising an inorganic substrate, such as a clay mineral, with covalent organic molecules, such as onium compounds, chemically bonded to the substrate, the covalent organic molecules containing free coordinating groups. The complexing agents are particularly useful in scavenging environmentally harmful metal ions such as mercury from industrial effluents.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence Dudley Colegate
- 👤 Christopher Robert Farnworth
- 👤 Eric Joseph Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:39
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D15/00; A; A01; A01N; A01N25/00; A01N25/08; B01J; B01J20/00; B01J20/02; B01J20/10; B01J20/12; B01J20/22; B01J20/223; B01J20/30; B01J20/32; B01J20/3202; B01J20/3204; B01J20/3214; B01J20/3217; B01J20/3231; B01J20/3242; B01J20/3244; B01J20/3265; B01J20/34; B01J20/3425; B01J20/3433; B01J20/345; B01J20/3475; B01J45/00; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/28; C02F1/288; C02F1/50; C02F1/505; C09; C09D; C09D5/00; C09D5/14; B01J2220/00; B01J2220/50; B01J2220/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A process for removing, from solution, ions of metals capable of forming coordination complexes comprising contacting the solution with a complexing agent comprising an inorganic substrate and covalent organic molecules of an onium compound chemically bonded to the substrate, the covalent organic molecules containing free coordinating groups, said inorganic substrate comprising a clay mineral of the smectite group and having a layered anionic lattice based on layers of linked SiO 4 tetrahedra.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for removing, from solution, ions of metals capable of forming coordination complexes comprising contacting the solution with a complexing agent comprising an inorganic substrate and covalent organic molecules of an onium compound chemically bonded to the substrate, the covalent organic molecules containing free coordinating groups, said inorganic substrate comprising a clay mineral of the smectite group and having a layered anionic lattice based on layers of linked SiO 4 tetrahedra.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the covalent organic molecules are ionically bonded to the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a bentonite clay mineral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises calcium or sodium montmorillonite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substrate has a cation exchange capacity of at least 0.50 m.eq/g.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 5 wherein the substrate has a cation exchange capacity of at least 0.65 m.eq/g.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the organic molecules comprise onium cations, as defined herein, based on the nitrogen atom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the organic molecules are substantially insoluble in water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cation exchange capacity of the substrate is saturated by the organic molecules.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the organic molecules are such as to impart a hydrophobic character to the substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coordinating groups are such as to give a greater complex stability with the metal ions than would water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein the coordinating groups are based on the nitrogen atom and the metal to be recovered is one which will coordinate with a nitrogen ligand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein a solution containing metal to be removed, is passed through a bed comprising the complexing agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein particles of the complexing agent are dispersed or slurried in a solution of the metal to be removed and are recovered by filtration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal removed from solution is recovered from the complexing agent by treatment with acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as claimed in claim 15 wherein the complexing agent, after reaction with further covalent organic compound, if necessary, is used to remove metals from solution.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-04 | 1981-01-03 | 1981-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-04 | 1985-01-03 | 1985-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-04 | 1989-01-03 | 1989-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |