Patent ID: 6432313
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B01J

Abstract:
A method for concentrating, removing, and separating selected ions from a source solution comprising the steps of:(a) contacting said source solution having a first volume with a composition comprising a polyhydroxypyridinone-containing ligand covalently bonded to a particulate solid support through a hydrophilic spacer having the formula: SS-A-X-L(HOPO)n where SS is a particulate solid support, A is a covalent linkage mechanism, X is a hydrophilic spacer grouping, L is a ligand carrier, HOPO is a hydroxypyridinone spaced on the ligand carrier to provide a minimum of six functional coordination metal binding sites, and n is an integer of 3 to 6 with the proviso that when SS is a particulate organic polymer, A-X may be combined as a single covalent linkage; wherein said L(HOPO)n portion of the composition has an affinity for said selected ions such as to form a complex between said selected ions and said HOPO moieties of said composition;(b) removing the source solution from contact with said composition to which said selected ions have been complexed; and (c) contacting said composition having said selected ions complexed thereto with a smaller volume, compared to said first volume, of an aqueous receiving solution in which said selected ions are either soluble or which has greater affinity for such selected ions than does the ligand portion of the composition thereby quantitatively stripping such selected ions from the ligand and recovering said selected ions in concentrated form in said receiving solution.