초록 ▼

A method is disclosed for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal form waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in

A method is disclosed for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal form waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the environment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the lie are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered. The method disclosed is also applicable to recover metals and other compounds originating from different waste sources such as existing and abandonedamines, contaminated, ground water, standing contaminated water, low level radioactive waste water and waste streams having a high solids content as well as treating water intended for potable use, recovering metals and other compounds from polluted or contaminated air, and the like.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A process for separating and recovering metals from liquid mine waste and mine process effluent comprising:(a) feeding liquid mine waste to and mine process effluent into a chamber in the form of a waste solution;(b) adjusting the pH of said waste solution to from about

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A process for separating and recovering metals from liquid mine waste and mine process effluent comprising:(a) feeding liquid mine waste to and mine process effluent into a chamber in the form of a waste solution;(b) adjusting the pH of said waste solution to from about 3.5 to about 10.5;(c) adding a metal complexing agent to said waste solution to form metal ion complexes of the metals in said waste solution, said metal complexing agent being a mixture of water, an inorganic base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and a thiocarbamate or dithiocarbamate selected from the group consisting of dimethyldithiocarbamate, diethyldithiocarbamate and the salts thereof;(d) adding a flocculating agent and calcium chloride as an aggregating agent to said waste solution to cause said metal ion complexes to precipitate in the form of a sludge and leave a clean effluent;(e) dewatering and drying said sludge to a substantially anhydrous state;(f) melting said dewatered and dried sludge to recover said metals therefrom; and,(g) discharging said clean effluent into the ground water table, a sewerage system, or a potable water distribution system.