Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1976
Title: The Innovations of Robert S. Rickard
Introduction
Robert S. Rickard is an accomplished inventor based in Lakewood, CO (US). He holds 2 patents that showcase his expertise in the field of chemical engineering, particularly in the separation and enrichment of nickel and cobalt.
Latest Patents
Rickard's latest patents focus on innovative methods for nickel-cobalt separation. The first patent describes a method for separating nickel and cobalt from a cobalt-nickel precipitate, where the cobalt is in the cobaltic state. This method involves dissolving the precipitate in an ammonium sulfate solution containing ammonia, acidifying the solution to a pH of about 1.5 to 3.0, and then cooling the solution to produce a nickel-ammonium sulfate precipitate that is highly enriched in nickel. The precipitate is then separated from the solution, which is passed through an ion exchange column selective for nickel removal, resulting in a cobalt solution that is substantially free of nickel, ready for cobalt recovery.
The second patent provides a method for enriching nickel in a nickel-cobalt solution to achieve a nickel-to-cobalt ratio of over 2000:1. In this process, an aliquot portion of the solution is removed, and nickel is precipitated from this portion in the nickelous state. The nickelous precipitate is then oxidized to the nickelic state and mixed with the remaining nickel-cobalt solution to oxidize the cobalt to the cobaltic state, which precipitates from the solution, thereby significantly enriching the solution in nickel.
Career Highlights
Rickard is currently employed at Amax Incorporated, where he applies his innovative ideas to real-world challenges in the chemical industry. His work has contributed to advancements in the efficient separation of valuable metals, which is crucial for various industrial applications.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Rickard has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Cvetko B. Nikolic and Weldon P. Zundel. These partnerships have fostered a collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and the development of groundbreaking technologies.
Conclusion
Robert S. Rickard's contributions to the field of chemical engineering through his patents on nickel-cobalt separation demonstrate his innovative spirit and commitment to advancing technology. His work not only enhances the efficiency of metal recovery processes but also reflects the importance of collaboration