Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of ion exchange purification of scandium comprising: contacting a solution containing scandium with a cation exchange resin; eluting said scandium with a solution comprising up to 5.0 grams per liter of HEDTA which may have potentially interfering metallic cations, and to which is added a small but metallic cation oxidation potential increasing effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting essentially of potassium chlorate and ammonium chloride, at a temperature of from about 80° C. to about 95° C. and a pH of from about 7.4 to about 7.9; and contacting a dilute solution of scandium with said resin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of ion exchange purification of scandium comprising: contacting a solution containing scandium with a cation exchange resin; eluting said scandium with a solution comprising up to 5.0 grams per liter of HEDTA which may have potentially interfering metallic cations, and to which is added a small but metallic cation oxidation potential increasing effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting essentially of potassium chlorate and ammonium chloride, at a temperature of from about 80° C. to about 95° C. and a pH of from about 7.4 to about 7.9; and contacting a dilute solution of scandium with said resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said potassium chlorate and ammonium chloride are added at levels up to about 0.1 grams per liter of the eluent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said temperature is 82° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pH is 7.9.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pH is adjusted by addition to the HEDTA solution of a base which will not add impurities to said solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said base is ammonium hydroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said dilute solution of scandium is from about 0.5 grams per liter of scandium to about 5.0 grams per liter of scandium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said dilute solution of scandium is about 2.0 grams per liter of scandium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8 wherein contacting said dilute solution of scandium with said resin is followed by contacting said resin with a stripping solution which removes said scandium without adding undesirable elements and which dissipates upon heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said stripping solution used is ammonium acetate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said scandium removed with said stripping solution is precipitated with an insoluble precipitant solution capable of being oxidized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said precipitant used is oxalic acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said temperature is 82° C. and said pH is 7.9.