Combined grinding and leaching apparatus for ores and wastes and methods of use thereof
US11772102B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2021 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/10
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus that is an attrition mill for grinding or comminuting ores, mine wastes, and radioactive wastes some of which may comprise metals, which may include uranium and/or cesium and/or mercury and/or thorium and/or rare earth elements. Also disclosed are processes that employ the apparatus for combined grinding and optionally leaching metals from ores and wastes. Some such methods comprise an optional step of grinding and mixing the ore or waste with a solid inorganic base with water addition or with an aqueous inorganic base, follow by a step of grinding and mixing the ore or waste with an aqueous inorganic acid with or without leaching salt addition, to solubilize the metals present in the ore or the waste. The disclosed apparatus and methods, in some embodiments, enable efficient grinding and attrition of ores substrates and mine wastes even without need for grinding media.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.