초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a method for recovering rhenium from an ethylene oxide catalyst containing rhenium and at least silver on a solid support, wherein at least a substantial portion of the rhenium present in the catalyst is extracted by intimate contact of the catalyst with one or more

The present invention relates to a method for recovering rhenium from an ethylene oxide catalyst containing rhenium and at least silver on a solid support, wherein at least a substantial portion of the rhenium present in the catalyst is extracted by intimate contact of the catalyst with one or more polar non-acidic organic solvents substantially free of water such that a rhenium-containing solution is formed containing the polar non-acidic organic solvent and extracted rhenium, the polar non-acidic organic solvent containing one or more oxygen, nitrogen, and/or halogen atoms in its molecular structure.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for recovering rhenium from a catalyst containing rhenium on a solid support, the method comprising extracting from the catalyst at least a substantial portion of the rhenium by intimate contact of the catalyst with one or more polar non-acidic organic solvents subst

What is claimed is: 1. A method for recovering rhenium from a catalyst containing rhenium on a solid support, the method comprising extracting from the catalyst at least a substantial portion of the rhenium by intimate contact of the catalyst with one or more polar non-acidic organic solvents substantially free of water such that a rhenium-containing solution is formed containing said polar non-acidic organic solvent and extracted rhenium, wherein said polar non-acidic organic solvent contains one or more oxygen, nitrogen, and/or halogen atoms in its molecular structure. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst contains rhenium and at least silver on a solid support. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more polar non-acidic organic solvents are selected from the group consisting of alcohols, organic esters, ketones, organic halides, amines, organophosphates, ethers, amides, and nitrites. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more polar non-acidic organic solvents are selected from the group consisting of alcohols, esters, and ketones. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent is ethanol. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent is isopropyl alcohol. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent is acetone. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent is methyl ethyl ketone. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent is heated during the extraction. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising concentrating the rhenium-containing solution by removal of a portion of the polar non-acidic organic solvent. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising treating the rhenium-containing solution in such a manner that the rhenium contained therein is converted into a solid form. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a solid form of the recovered rhenium is obtained by substantially removing the polar non-acidic organic solvent of the rhenium-containing solution. 13. The method according to claim 2, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent selectively removes rhenium over silver from the catalyst. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst further contains one or more types of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the polar non-acidic organic solvent selectively removes rhenium over silver and the one or more types of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals. 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the catalyst is an ethylene oxide catalyst and further contains one or more types of main group elements selected from Groups IIIA to VIIA of the Periodic Table, and/or early transition metal elements selected from Groups IIIB-VIB of the Periodic Table. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the polar organic solvent selectively removes rhenium over silver, the one or more types of alkali metals, and the one or more types of main group elements and/or early transition metal elements. 18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the rhenium-containing solution to produce a rhenium-containing end product. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the rhenium-containing end product is a rhenium compound. 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the rhenium-containing end product is a rhenium-containing catalyst. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the rhenium-containing catalyst is a rhenium-containing ethylene oxide catalyst. 22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treated catalyst contains pores and further comprising a continuous extraction process in which solvent from the rhenium-containing solution and/or pores of the treated catalyst is evaporated and condensed to provide recycled solvent, the recycled solvent being re-used for extraction of rhenium.