Method for removing metals from aqueous solutions using mixed lithic materials

• Main Authors: FOOS ANNABELLE M, SASOWSKY IRA D, MILLER CHRISTOPHER M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.08.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATERTREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; METALLURGY; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE; TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE

The present invention provides a process for removing metals from aqueous solutions. This process entails contacting the aqueous solution with at least one neutralizing agent and at least one precipitating agent that preferentially precipitates metals from the aqueous solution. The neutralizing agent is a lithic material that neutralizes the acidity of the aqueous solution to promote the precipitation of metals form the aqueous solution. The precipitating agent is a lithic material that serves as a preferred locus of deposition for the metals precipitated by the neutralizing agent, i.e. those metals precipitated form the aqueous solution during neutralization.