James Darrin Sharp

US Patent:

20010002312, May 31, 2001

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/761469

Inventors:

James Sharp - Tucson AZ, US
Kevin Stuffle - Tucson AZ, US
Margaret Jensen - Bagdad AZ, US

International Classification:

C12P001/04
C12P001/02

US Classification:

435/170000, 435/171000, 435/262000

Abstract:

Disclosed is an improved process for using iron-oxidizing bacteria to reactivate the raffinate ferrous sulfate solution in chemical leach operations. The process uses a biological raffinate converter, or BRC, as a key feature of the process. The invention process provides enhanced efficiency and commercial utility over the best known biological process for converting raffinate ferrous sulfate. The resulting ferric sulfate then can be recycled back into the bioleaching process of, for example, copper from chalcocite.

US Patent:

62943626, Sep 25, 2001

Filed:

Oct 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/943172

Inventors:

James E. Sharp - Tucson AZ
Kevin Stuffle - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

MBX Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

C12N 1100
C12N 1116
C12P 104
C12P 300

US Classification:

435174

Abstract:

Disclosed is an improved process for using iron-oxidizing bacteria to reactivate the raffinate ferrous sulfate solution in chemical leach operations. The process uses a biological raffinate converter, or BRC, as a key feature of the process. The process provides enhanced efficiency and commercial utility over the best known biological process for converting raffinate ferrous sulfate. The resulting ferric sulfate then can be recycled back into the bioleaching process of, for example, copper from chalcocite.

US Patent:

61396028, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Sep 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/148343

Inventors:

James E. Sharp - Tucson AZ
Kevin L. Stuffle - Tucson AZ
Sean P. Premeau - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Phillips Petroleum Company - Bartlesville OK

International Classification:

C22B 306
C22B 308

US Classification:

75711

Abstract:

Disclosed and claimed is an efficient process for extraction of metals from ores using carbon catalyzed leaching. Specifically exemplified is the extraction of cobalt and nickel from laterite ore.

US Patent:

62845306, Sep 4, 2001

Filed:

Feb 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/510448

Inventors:

James E. Sharp - Tucson AZ
Kevin L. Stuffle - Tucson AZ
Kelly L. Karlage - Tucson AZ
Tom L. Young - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Phillips Petroleum Company - Bartlesville OK

International Classification:

C12M 100

US Classification:

4352941

Abstract:

The subject invention provides a novel process and bioreactor for enhancing the bioleaching of metals from sulfide mineral concentrations.

US Patent:

54136245, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Feb 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/194676

Inventors:

Patricia A. Rusin - Tucson AZ
James E. Sharp - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

MBX Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

C22B 1104

US Classification:

75711

Abstract:

Materials and methods for the enhancement of the biooxidative acid leaching of heavy metals from sulfide ore are disclosed and claimed. The enhancement of bioleach solutions with a nutrient supplement selective for a particular sulfide oxidizing strain of bacteria significantly increases copper solubilization of chalcopyrite ore. Likewise, copper solubilization is enhanced by enriching bioleach solutions with a non-selective growth mediums.

US Patent:

50551302, Oct 8, 1991

Filed:

May 1, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/515486

Inventors:

Robert G. Arnold - Tucson AZ
Norval A. Sinclair - Tucson AZ
James E. Sharp - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

The Arizona Board of Regents/University of Arizona - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

C22B 300

US Classification:

75744

Abstract:

A method for recovering silver from a refractory manganese dioxide-silver ore. The ore is contacted with an effective amount of a culture of direct manganese-reducing Bacillus polymyxa bacteria. The ore-bacteria mixture is maintained at an approximately neutral pH until a sufficient amount of the manganese dioxide in the ore is reduced from Mn(IV) to Mn(II). The silver present in the ore is then recovered by conventional methods such as cyanide leaching.

US Patent:

52483290, Sep 28, 1993

Filed:

Feb 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/023990

Inventors:

Patricia A. Rusin - Tucson AZ
James E. Sharp - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Metallurgical and Biological Extraction Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

C22B 1104

US Classification:

75715

Abstract:

Disclosed is an efficient biological process for recovering heavy metals from refractory ore, and a process for removing heavy metal contaminants from the soil. The process utilizes a potato extract growth medium (PEGM) to greatly increase the efficiency for recovering heavy metals from ores and for removing heavy metal contaminants from soil. Microbes which can be used in the process are manganese reducing Bacillus sp. , or mutants thereof which retain the metal recovering properties of the parent microbe. Further, recombinant microbes, as disclosed herein, can be used in the same manner as the native microbe.