IP Library Granted Patent US 8,308,934
Granted Patent B2
US 8,308,934 · App. 12/863,750 · Granted Nov 13, 2012

Method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,308,934
App. No.
12/863,750
Granted
Nov 13, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap in which valuable metals are recovered as indium and zinc metals or suboxides by performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an IZO scrap as a cathode. Specifically, this method enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as an indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target or IZO mill ends that arise during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.

Claims (20)

1. A method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein valuable metals are recovered as indium and zinc metal or suboxide by performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an WO scrap as a cathode.

2. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein the IZO scrap is reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen generated at a cathode during the electrolysis.

3. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 2 , wherein the metal or suboxide generated at the cathode is dissolved with acid and valuable metals are recovered as a solution.

4. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 3 , wherein the metal or suboxide generated at the cathode is dissolved with acid or alkali, zinc is eliminated from the solution thereof, and electrowinning is performed to the solution after the elimination to recover indium.

5. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 3 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxide from the solution of the recovered metal or suboxide.

6. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 3 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as indium-zinc alloy by subjecting the solution of the recovered metal to electrolysis.

7. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 5 , wherein indium or zinc hydroxide or suboxide is roasted, and valuable metals are recovered as oxides thereof.

8. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 2 , wherein the metal or suboxide generated at the cathode is dissolved with acid or alkali, zinc is eliminated from a solution thereof, and electrowinning is performed to the solution after zinc is eliminated to recover indium.

9. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 2 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxide from a solution of the recovered metal or suboxide.

10. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 9 , wherein indium or zinc hydroxide or suboxide is roasted, and valuable metals are recovered as oxides thereof.

11. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 2 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as indium-zinc alloy by subjecting a solution of the recovered metal to electrolysis.

12. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein the metal or suboxide generated at the cathode is dissolved with acid and valuable metals are recovered as a solution.

13. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 12 , wherein the metal or suboxide generated at the cathode is dissolved with acid or alkali, zinc is eliminated from the solution thereof, and electrowinning is performed to the solution after zinc is eliminated to recover indium.

14. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 12 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxide from the solution of the recovered metal or suboxide.

15. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 14 , wherein indium or zinc hydroxide or suboxide is roasted, and valuable metals are recovered as oxides thereof.

16. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 12 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as indium-zinc alloy by subjecting the solution of the recovered metal to electrolysis.

17. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein the metal or suboxide generated at the cathode is dissolved with acid or alkali, zinc is eliminated from a solution thereof, and electrowinning is performed to the solution after zinc is eliminated to recover indium.

18. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxide from a solution of the recovered metal or suboxide.

19. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 18 , wherein indium or zinc hydroxide or suboxide is roasted, and valuable metals are recovered as oxides thereof.

20. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein valuable metals are recovered as indium-zinc alloy by subjecting a solution of the recovered metal to electrolysis.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
To: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041649/0733 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 12, 2010
From: NIPPON MINING HOLDINGS, INC.
To: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025123/0420 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 8, 2010
From: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
To: NIPPON MINING HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025115/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2010
From: SHINDO, YUICHIRO; TAKEMOTO, KOUICHI
To: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 024720/0241 →