	US 11,697,077 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 Jan. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/570,986.
Application 17/570,986 is a division of application No. 17/185,338, filed on Feb. 25, 2021, granted, now 11,260,315.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/985,009, filed on Mar. 4, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0126221 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B01D 1/00 (2006.01); B01D 5/00 (2006.01); F24S 23/70 (2018.01); C22B 9/02 (2006.01); B01D 3/00 (2006.01)

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)]

9 Claims

1. A method for separating a low volatility metal from a metal-containing feed stream, the method comprising:

applying solar energy to heat the metal-containing feed stream in the presence of a volatile metal halide in a heating zone to a first temperature to produce a first vapor mixture comprising a low volatility metal halide and a volatile metal, wherein the metal-containing feed stream is derived from black sands;

converting the first vapor mixture into the low volatility metal and the volatile metal halide;

condensing the low volatility metal to produce a first liquid comprising the low volatility metal; and

collecting the first liquid.