Metal recovery from porous materials

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868499

Sturcken, Edward F ^[1]

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1. P.O. Box 900, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

A method for recovering plutonium and other metals from materials by leaching comprising the steps of incinerating the materials to form a porous matrix as the residue of incineration, immersing the matrix into acid in a microwave-transparent pressure vessel, sealing the pressure vessel, and applying microwaves so that the temperature and the pressure in the pressure vessel increase. The acid for recovering plutonium can be a mixture of HBF.sub.4 and HNO.sub.3 and preferably the pressure is increased to at least 100 PSI and the temperature to at least 200.degree. C. The porous material can be pulverized before immersion to further increase the leach rate.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Sturcken, Edward F. (P.O. Box 900, Isle of Palms, SC 29451)
• Patent Number(s): US 5154899
• OSTI ID: 868499
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

metal
recovery
porous
materials
method
recovering
plutonium
metals
leaching
comprising
steps
incinerating
form
matrix
residue
incineration
immersing
acid
microwave-transparent
pressure
vessel
sealing
applying
microwaves
temperature
increase
mixture
hbf
hno
preferably
increased
100
psi
200
degree
material
pulverized
immersion
leach
rate
metal recovery
applying microwave
porous material
pressure vessel
porous materials
porous matrix
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