Ten years of catalyst recycling: A step to the future
- AMAX Metals Recovery, Inc., Braithwaite, LA (United States)
The Port Nickel facility in Braithwaite, Louisiana, is known for pioneering hydrometallurgical processes for the separation and recovery of nickel, cobalt and copper. Ten years ago, in 1985, a new CRI-MET process for the recovery of molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, cobalt and alumina from spent catalysts was developed and implemented. Spent catalysts from the petroleum industry constitute the majority of feed. These are not only a valuable source of metals, but due to EPA regulations are frequently classified as hazardous under RCRA. Molybdenum and vanadium are selectively leached in an oxidative hydrothermal step. Alumina is then extracted in a Caustic digestive leach. The unique technology produces four primary commercial products: molybdenum trioxide, vanadium oxide, aluminum trihydrate and nickel-cobalt concentrate. This paper discusses the process, modifications during ten years of operation, and the relationship of these modifications to the future of the catalyst recycling business.
- OSTI ID:
- 197264
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951105--; ISBN 0-87339-318-X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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