Systems for Production of Metal Peroxides

Abstract

Systems for generating metal peroxides from metal-containing raw materials are provided. The raw material is initially treated with a lixiviant salt, generating a soluble metal salt and a lixiviant base. Subsequent application of a peroxide or a source of peroxide generates the metal peroxide and also regenerates the lixiviant salt. This regenerated lixiviant salt can be recycled for application to additional raw material. Both stepwise and continuous processes are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for producing a metal peroxide, comprising:
 a first unit comprising a raw material, wherein the raw material comprises an insoluble metal salt comprising a metal;   a second unit in fluid communication with the first unit and comprising a lixiviant salt, such that the lixiviant salt is introduced to the first unit to generate a first solution comprising a soluble metal salt and a lixiviant;   a third unit in fluid communication with the first unit and comprising a peroxide or a source of peroxide; and   a separator in communication with the first unit, wherein the separator comprises a first output comprising a regenerated lixiviant salt, a second output comprising the metal peroxide, and a third output comprising an extracted raw material.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is a filter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the separator and the first unit, wherein the fluid conduit comprises the first output. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lixiviant salt comprises an amine compound. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lixiviant salt is a hydrochloride salt. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the peroxide is hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the metal peroxide comprises a Group I metal, a Group 2 metal, or a transition metal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the metal peroxide comprises an alkaline earth metal. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the alkaline earth metal is calcium. 
     
     
         10 . A system for producing a metal peroxide, comprising:
 a first unit comprising a raw material, wherein the raw material comprises an insoluble metal salt comprising a metal;   a second unit in fluid communication with the first unit and comprising a lixiviant salt, such that introduction of the lixiviant salt to the first unit generates a first suspension comprising an extracted raw material and a first solution phase comprising a soluble metal salt and a lixiviant;   a first separator in fluid communication with the first unit, wherein the first separator is positioned to generate a first liquid stream comprising the first solution phase;   a third unit in fluid communication with the first separator and positioned to receive the first solution phase, wherein the third unit is in fluid communication with a fourth unit comprising a peroxide or a source of peroxide, such that introduction of the peroxide or the source of peroxide to the first solution phase generates a second suspension comprising a solid product comprising a metal peroxide and a second liquid phase comprising a regenerated lixiviant salt; and   a second separator in communication with the first unit, wherein the second separator is positioned to generate a fluid stream comprising the second liquid phase.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second separator is a filter. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the second separator and positioned to direct the fluid stream to the second unit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lixiviant salt comprises an amine compound. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lixiviant salt is a hydrochloride salt. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the peroxide is hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the metal peroxide comprises a Group I metal, a Group 2 metal, or a transition metal. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the metal peroxide comprises an alkaline earth metal. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the alkaline earth metal is calcium.