Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1997-1998
Title: Innovations in Tungsten Recycling by Inventor Li Wu
Introduction
Li Wu is an accomplished inventor based in Plainsborough, NJ (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of materials recycling, particularly focusing on tungsten carbide and tungsten-based materials. With a total of 2 patents, his work is paving the way for more sustainable practices in material reclamation.
Latest Patents
Li Wu's latest patents include a reclamation process for tungsten carbide/cobalt using acid digestion. This innovative method allows for the recycling of tungsten carbide cobalt and tungsten-containing materials through a single high-temperature oxidation process combined with standard dilution chemistry. The process involves grinding the scrap material, oxidizing it, and subjecting it to acid digestion, preferably in hydrochloric acid. This results in the formation of cobalt chloride while keeping tungsten insoluble. The pH is then adjusted to about 7.0, leading to the precipitation of cobalt hydroxide from the solution. The cobalt and tungsten are subsequently separated and dissolved in a high-pH ammonia solution, which can be spray dried to create a precursor powder for further carburization into tungsten carbide-cobalt powders.
Another significant patent by Li Wu is the reclamation process for tungsten carbide and tungsten-based materials. This process involves oxidizing the tungsten composition at temperatures exceeding 700°C to produce water-insoluble tungsten trioxide. The tungsten trioxide is then reduced to tungsten dioxide, which undergoes low-temperature oxidation to form monoclinic tungsten trioxide. This compound is dissolved in ammonia to create ammonium tungstate, while any binder metal, such as cobalt, is converted into a soluble ammine complex. The resulting mixture can be spray dried and carburized to yield tungsten carbide, with the composition ratio of cobalt to tungsten adjustable through the addition of cobalt salts or ammonium metatungstate.
Career Highlights
Li Wu is currently employed at Nanodyne Incorporated, where he continues to innovate in the field of material recycling. His work not only contributes to the advancement of technology but also promotes environmental sustainability through effective recycling methods.
Collaborations
Li Wu collaborates with Purnesh Seegopaul, who is also a key figure in their research endeavors. Together, they work on developing and refining processes that enhance the efficiency of tungsten recycling.
Conclusion
Li Wu's innovative approaches to tungsten recycling demonstrate his commitment to advancing