Method for recovering scandium from intermediate products formed in the hydrometallurgical processing of laterite ores
US9677155B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides a method for recovering scandium from scandium-containing intermediate products, formed during hydrometallurgical processing of scandium-containing feed materials, including: (a) leaching of the scandium-containing intermediate products with a suitable acid at a controlled pH selected to maximize scandium extraction and minimize the co-extraction of impurities, (b) solid/liquid separation, to obtain a scandium-containing leach solution; (c) selective precipitation of the scandium at a controlled pH from the scandium-containing leach solution using a suitable base, (d) solid/liquid separation, to obtain an upgraded scandium concentrate and a barren solution for return to the hydrometallurgical process. A further upgraded scandium concentrate can be obtained by (e) alkaline leaching of the upgraded scandium concentrate for additional removal of impurities, and (f) solid/liquid separation to obtain a further upgraded scandium concentrate and impurities-containing base solution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.