	US 12,257,528 B2
	Methods and systems for separating metals
Patrick Soon-Shiong, Los Angeles, CA (US)
Assigned to Nant Holdings IP, LLC, Culver City, CA (US)
Filed by Nant Holdings IP, LLC, Culver City, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/371,846.
Application 17/570,986 is a division of application No. 17/185,338, filed on Feb. 25, 2021, granted, now 11,260,315, issued on Mar. 1, 2022.
Application 18/371,846 is a continuation of application No. 18/134,803, filed on Apr. 14, 2023, granted, now 11,839,832.
Application 18/134,803 is a continuation of application No. 17/570,986, filed on Jan. 7, 2022, granted, now 11,697,077, issued on Jul. 11, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/985,009, filed on Mar. 4, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0009588 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01D 1/00 (2006.01); B01D 3/00 (2006.01); B01D 5/00 (2006.01); C22B 9/02 (2006.01); F24S 23/70 (2018.01)

CPC B01D 1/0035 (2013.01) [B01D 3/009 (2013.01); B01D 5/006 (2013.01); B01D 5/009 (2013.01); C22B 9/02 (2013.01); F24S 23/70 (2018.05)]

28 Claims

1. A system for separating a first metal from a metal-containing feed stream, the system comprising:

a. a separation unit comprising a heating zone to heat the metal-containing feed stream to a first temperature to produce a first vapor comprising the first metal and a condensation zone for condensing the first vapor to produce a first liquid comprising the first metal, wherein the heating zone is in fluid communication with the condensation zone;

b. one or more mirrors organized into one or more heliostats for heating the heating zone; and

c. the metal-containing feed stream disposed inside the separation unit, wherein the metal-containing feed stream is derived from black sands.