Abstract:
A system and method for improving leach kinetics and recovery during above-atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of: (a) producing a metal sulfide concentrate [34] via flotation; (b) moving the produced metal sulfide concentrate [34] to at least one chamber [22a] of at least one reactor such as an autoclave [20]; (c) leaching the produced metal sulfide concentrate in said at least one chamber [22a] in the presence of oxygen [82] at a pressure and/or temperature above ambient, and in the presence of partially-used [25] and/or or new [92] grinding media within the at least one chamber [22a]. Systems [10] and apparatus [20, 200] for practicing the aforementioned method are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of improving leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or above-atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. A system for practicing the aforementioned method is also disclosed. Apparatus for practicing the aforementioned method is also disclosed. A new composition of matter which is formed by the aforementioned method, and which may be utilized in the system and apparatus is further disclosed. The new composition of matter may exhibit improved leach kinetics, and may have some utility in the semi-conductor arts, including uses within photovoltaic materials.
Abstract:
Polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites are designed and manufactured by choosing surface-modified fillers having a solid surface energy matching the solid surface energy of the polymer, wherein the advancing contact angle of the polymer on the surface-modified filler is less than about 5 degrees. The fillers are surface-modified by adsorption of amorphous polymeric surfactants, consisting of either mono-modal, bimodal, or multi-modal size distribution. The surface-modified fillers of this invention display a measurable yield stress and a viscosity of about 30.000 Pa·s or less at room temperature, and comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of minerals, plant material, animal material, carbon fiber, graphite, amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, and glass fiber. This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a polymer nanocomposite which includes exfoliating an amorphous organoclay in a crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer by melt compounding the constituents in the absence of added solvents, activators, edge-modifiers, compatibilizers, or hydrotropes.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods for making clay/wax nanocomposites and coatings and films of same with improved chemical resistance and gas barrier properties. The invention further provides methods for making and using emulsions of such clay/wax nanocomposites. Typically, an organophillic clay is combined with a wax or wax/polymer blend such that the cohesion energy of the clay matches that of the wax or wax/polymer blend. Suitable organophilic clays include mica and phyllosilicates that have been surface-treated with edge or edge and surface modifying agents. The resulting nanocomposites have applications as industrial coatings and in protective packaging.
Abstract:
A method for separating water-miscible organic species from a process stream by aqueous biphasic extraction is provided. An aqueous biphase system is generated by contacting a process stream comprised of water, salt, and organic species with an aqueous polymer solution. The organic species transfer from the salt-rich phase to the polymer-rich phase, and the phases are separated. Next, the polymer is recovered from the loaded polymer phase by selectively extracting the polymer into an organic phase at an elevated temperature, while the organic species remain in a substantially salt-free aqueous solution. Alternatively, the polymer is recovered from the loaded polymer by a temperature induced phase separation (cloud point extraction), whereby the polymer and the organic species separate into two distinct solutions. The method for separating water-miscible organic species is applicable to the treatment of industrial wastewater streams, including the extraction and recovery of complexed metal ions from salt solutions, organic contaminants from mineral processing streams, and colorants from spent dye baths.
Abstract:
Systems for improving metal leach kinetics and metal recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide are disclosed. In some embodiments, an oxidative leach circuit 200 may employ Mechano-Chemcial/Physico-Chemical processing means for improving leach kinetics and/or metal recovery. In preferred embodiments, the Mechano-Chemcial/Physico-Chemical means comprises various combinations of stirred-tank reactors 202 and shear-tank reactors 212. As will be described herein, the stirred-tank reactors 202 and shear-tank reactors 212 may be arranged in series and/or in parallel with each other, without limitation. In some non-limiting embodiments, a shear-tank reactor 212 may also be disposed, in-situ, within a stirred-tank reactor 202.
Abstract:
Polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites are designed and manufactured by choosing surface-modified fillers having a solid surface energy matching the solid surface energy of the polymer, wherein the advancing contact angle of the polymer on the surface-modified filler is less than about 5 degrees. The fillers are surface-modified by adsorption of amorphous polymeric surfactants, consisting of either mono-modal, bimodal, or multi-modal size distribution. The surface-modified fillers of this invention display a measurable yield stress and a viscosity of about 30.000 Pa·s or less at room temperature, and comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of minerals, plant material, animal material, carbon fiber, graphite, amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, and glass fiber. This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a polymer nanocomposite which includes exfoliating an amorphous organoclay in a crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer by melt compounding the constituents in the absence of added solvents, activators, edge-modifiers, compatibilizers, or hydrotropes.
Abstract:
The present invention provides barrier films having reduced gas permeability for use in packaging and coating applications. The barrier films comprise an anisotropic liquid crystalline composite layer formed from phyllosilicate-polymer compositions. Phyllosilicate-polymer liquid crystalline compositions of the present invention can contain a high percentage of phyllosilicate while remaining transparent. Because of the ordering of the particles in the liquid crystalline composite, barrier films comprising liquid crystalline composites are particularly useful as barriers to gas transport.
Abstract:
Polymer-phyllosilicate nanocomposites that exhibit superior properties compared to the polymer alone, and methods-for producing these polymer-phyllosilicate nanocomposites, are provided. Polymeric surfactant compatabilizers are adsorbed onto the surface of hydrophilic or natural phyllosilicates to facilitate the dispersal and exfoliation of the phyllosilicate in a polymer matrix. Utilizing polymeric glycol based surfactants, polymeric dicarboxylic acids, polymeric diammonium surfactants, and polymeric diamine surfactants as compatabilizers facilitates natural phyllosilicate and hydrophilic organoclay dispersal in a polymer matrix to produce nanocomposites.
Abstract:
This invention provides phyllosilicates and polyfunctional dispersants which can be manipulated to selectively control the viscosity of phyllosilicate slurries. The polyfunctional dispersants used in the present invention, which include at least three functional groups, increase the dispersion and exfoliation of phyllosilicates in polymers and, when used in conjunction with phyllosilicate slurries, significantly reduce the viscosity of slurries having high concentrations of phyllosilicates. The functional groups of the polyfunctional dispersants are capable of associating with multivalent metal cations and low molecular weight organic polymers, which can be manipulated to substantially increase or decrease the viscosity of the slurry in a concentration dependent manner. The polyfunctional dispersants of the present invention can also impart desirable properties on the phyllosilicate dispersions including corrosion inhibition and enhanced exfoliation of the phyllosilicate platelets.