Recovering valuable mined materials from aqueous wastes
US9555418B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering a target material from an aqueous stream. The target material can be a natively hydrophobic target material, such as a hydrocarbon material, such as coal. The target material can also have a surface modification that renders it hydrophobic. Systems for recovering the target material can comprise an extractant formulation comprising a light hydrocarbon solvent and a high molecular weight hydrophobic polymer, wherein the extractant formulation is mixable with the aqueous stream in a mixer to form an admixed solution having a hydrophobic portion and an aqueous portion, with the target material partitioning to the hydrophobic portion; a separator for isolating the hydrophobic portion from the aqueous portion; and a collector to which the hydrophobic portion is directed, wherein the target material is recovered from the hydrophobic portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.