Importance

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Abstract

A method is disclosed for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal form waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the environment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the lie are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered. The method disclosed is also applicable to recover metals and other compounds originating from different waste sources such as existing and abandonedamines, contaminated, ground water, standing contaminated water, low level radioactive waste water and waste streams having a high solids content as well as treating water intended for potable use, recovering metals and other compounds from polluted or contaminated air, and the like.

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First Claim