Iridium Separation via Sequential Oxidation and Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating iridium from ores and scrap metals containing iridium, platinum, and palladium are inefficient, often resulting in low yields and requiring complex, time-consuming selective precipitation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sequential treatment of starting materials with oxidizing agents and hydrogen in acidic solutions, allowing for the selective dissolution and separation of iridium from platinum and palladium, without the need for subsequent precipitation, using ozone, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in specific combinations to achieve transient dissolution and stabilization of metal ions in chloride solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If selective precipitation is used to separate iridium from platinum and palladium, then separation is achieved, but the process becomes technically complex, time-consuming, and yields low recovery rates of less than 70%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the separation process into distinct stages: first treating the starting material with an oxidizing agent to dissolve palladium and platinum, then separately treating with hydrogen to dissolve iridium. This segmentation allows each metal to be dissolved and separated in distinct steps, avoiding the need for complex selective precipitation while achieving high purity separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment solution by using different redox potentials. First, an oxidizing agent with high redox potential is used to dissolve palladium and platinum. Then, hydrogen with lower redox potential is used to dissolve iridium. This parameter change approach enables selective dissolution of different metals based on their electrochemical properties, simplifying the separation process while maintaining high purity.
2Quantity of substance
If alternating treatment with oxidizing agent and hydrogen is applied, then iridium can be dissolved, but both iridium and palladium/platinum are dissolved requiring additional separation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first treating the starting material with an oxidizing agent to dissolve and remove palladium and platinum before treating with hydrogen to dissolve iridium. This preliminary removal of other metals ensures that when hydrogen is subsequently applied, only iridium is dissolved, eliminating the need for additional separation processes and improving overall productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If oxidizing agent alone is used in strongly acidic solution, then the process is simple, but it is not sufficient to dissolve iridium from the starting material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing a sequential two-step process: first treatment with oxidizing agent to dissolve palladium and platinum, followed by continuous treatment with hydrogen to dissolve iridium. This continuous sequential action ensures complete dissolution of all target metals while maintaining process simplicity, achieving both ease of manufacture and effective iridium dissolution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process enables efficient separation of iridium, palladium, and platinum with higher yields than traditional methods, avoiding the complexity and low yields associated with selective precipitation, and is applicable to various starting materials containing these metals.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of the starting material is repeatedly freed of surface oxides by reduction with hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
the starting material is first treated with at least one oxidizing agent in an aqueous solution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for separating iridium from at least one starting material (10) containing iridium as well as palladium and/or platinum. The starting material (10) is treated with at least one oxidizing agent in an aqueous solution (20) with a pH of at most 1, and subsequently treated alternately with at least one oxidizing agent and hydrogen in another aqueous solution (20) with a pH of at most 1. An apparatus (30) for obtaining iridium from at least one starting material (10) containing iridium as well as palladium and/or platinum is configured to carry out the steps of a process.