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US 5,972,302 AGranted
Method for the microwave induced oxidation of pyritic ores without the production of sulphur dioxide
AssigneeEMR Microwave Technology Corporation
InventorsJames M. Tranquilla, Paul R. Kruesi
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Abstract
Pyritic ores are heated with microwave energy in a fluidized bed to a temperature in the range of approximately 573 degrees Kelvin to 823 degrees Kelvin with a controlled amount of oxygen to promote the oxidation of the pyritic ores according to the reaction: 2FeS.sub.2 +3/2 O.sub.2 .fwdarw.Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 +4S, thereby preventing the production of sulphur dioxide.
Claims6
A method of oxidizing pyritic ores in a fluidized bed, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating a bed of pyritic ore in the fluidized bed to a temperature in the range of about 573.degree. K to 823.degree. K using microwave energy to initiate a controlled, sub-autogenous exothermic oxidation of pyritic ore into hematite and elemental sulphur within the bed;
- (b) controlling the inflow of oxygen to the fluidized bed to about stoichiometric quantities for the reaction:
- 2FeS.sub.2 +3/2O.sub.2 .fwdarw.Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 +4S;
- and
- (c) maintaining the temperature of the fluidized bed within the range of about 573.degree. K to 823.degree. K to produce the hematite and elemental sulphur.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.