Claims
- 1. A process for recovering one or more trace metals from a fine grained fly ash having a silicate base and a surface with deposits of the trace metals in a concentration less than about 1 wt. %, the trace metal being selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, Fe, Cd, Ga, Mn, Pb, Ti, Zn and mixtures thereof, comprising the steps of
- contacting the fly ash with AlCl.sub.3 in an alkali halide melt for a time sufficient for the AlCl.sub.3 and trace metals to react and form trace metal compositions soluble in the melt and a silicate based residue, and
- separating the residue from the melt.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the contacting step is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 300.degree.-1000.degree. C.
- 3. The process of claim 1 including the step of separating one or more of the trace metals from the melt.
- 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the separation step is carried out by electrolysis to produce one or more of the trace metals.
- 5. The process of claim 4 wherein said trace metals include gallium.
- 6. The process of claim 4 wherein said trace metals include silver.
- 7. The process of claim 4 wherein said trace metals include cadmium.
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 between the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Chicago representing Argonne National Laboratory.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3291597 |
Mellgren et al. |
Dec 1966 |
|
3802870 |
Bell |
Apr 1974 |
|