TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Electrochemical Processing for Efficient Arsenic Immobilization from Sulfoarsenide Ores

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY

Electrochemical Processing for Efficient Arsenic Immobilization from Sulfoarsenide Ores

Unlocking domestic cobalt production, reducing environmental impact, and stabilizing the critical materials supply chain.

Opportunity:   Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), offers the opportunity to explore a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this electrochemical process for arsenic immobilization. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses, and, ultimately, an improved way of life for the American people.

Overview:        Currently, the U.S. cobalt supply originates primarily from recycling activities. There is a high dependency on foreign sources for virgin material. In order to enhance domestic cobalt production, a more self-sufficient, stable, and environmentally sustainable solution is needed to address unpredictable cobalt prices. One of the key barriers is the high cost of processing required to safely isolate arsenic fractions found in sulfide containing ore concentrates.

Description:    A new technology has been developed by researchers at INL, to address the these challenges—variable cobalt pricing and the toxic arsenic byproduct of cobalt production—in a way that optimizes production efficiency and minimizes environmental impact. The technology is a hydro-electrometallurgical solution designed to safely separate cobalt and arsenic in cobaltite (CoAsS) ore, one of the primary minerals in the resource-rich Idaho Cobalt Belt (ICB). The technology uses an electrochemical cell to promote the precipitation of arsenic as scorodite (FeAsO4 · 2H2O), a high arsenic content mineral with low solubility, effectively immobilizing arsenic for safe disposition, while extracting valuable metals.

Benefits:          

• Overcomes the environmental and economic challenges associated with traditional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes.
• Less energy-intensive compared to conventional hydrothermal processes.
• Reduces the need for high pressure operations, excessive addition of iron, and the use of external oxidants.
• Minimizes risks and environmental impacts associated with chemical processing through the synthesis, storage/transportation, and handling of H2O2.
• Able to operate efficiently powered by carbon-free energy sources.

Applications:    

• Unlocking domestic cobalt production
• Efficient arsenic immobilization from sulfoarsenide mineral ores
• Co-production of other valuable metals such as copper, silver, gold, and rare earth elements

Development Status: TRL 2: Early concept phase and in need of further testing.   

IP Status:        Provisional Patent Application No. 63/379,119, “Methods of Producing a Metal by Electrochemical Processing of a Sulfoarsenide Compounds and Related Electrochemical Cells,” BEA Docket No. BA-1410.    

INL seeks to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Added value is placed on relationships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities.

Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.