Patent · US Expired

Method for recovery of cyanide from waste streams

US4708804A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
13References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 1985
Grant dateNov 24, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC02F2101/18
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process is provided for removing cyanide from a dilute cyanide solution. The solution is passed through a weak base anion exchange resin to absorb cyanide complexes. The resin is eluted with a weakly basic Ca(OH).sub.2 solution, to produce a cyanide-rich eluate. Elution is accomplished by recycling the eluting fluid past a bed of solid Ca(OH).sub.2, to maintain the eluting fluid in Ca(OH).sub.2 saturation. Recycling in this manner produces an eluate with relatively high cyanide concentration using economical reagents. The eluate is subjected to an acidification/volatilization process including acidification, preferably with H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, heating by introduction of steam and removal of volatilized HCN by an air sparge. The HCN-rich off-gas and slats produced therefrom may be recycled in the process. The cyanide-depleted waste streams may be disposed of in, for example, tailings ponds.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.