The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 24, 2012
Filed:
May. 17, 2004
Christian Hagelüken, Hanau, DE;
Bernd Kayser, Munich, DE;
José-manuel Romero-ojeda, Hanau, DE;
Ingo Kleinwächter, Hanau, DE;
Christian Hagelüken, Hanau, DE;
Bernd Kayser, Munich, DE;
José-Manuel Romero-Ojeda, Hanau, DE;
Ingo Kleinwächter, Hanau, DE;
Umicore AG & Co. KG, Hanau-Wolfgang, DE;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for the concentration of noble metals from fluorine-containing components of fuel cells, for example from PEM fuel cell stacks, DMFC fuel cells, catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), catalyst pastes, etc. The process is based on an optionally multi-step heat treatment process comprising a combustion and/or a melting process. It allows an inexpensive, simple concentration of noble materials. The hydrogen fluoride formed during the heat treatment of fluorine-containing components is bound by an inorganic additive so that no harmful hydrogen fluoride emissions occur. The process can be used for the recovery of noble metals that are present as components in fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, and the like.