Recovery of precious metals by oxidation in the aqueous phase of associated carbonaceous support material

摘要

This invention relates to the recovery of precious metals. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for the recovery of a catalytic metal from a carbonaceous residue or support comprising subjecting an aqueous slurry of material containing catalytic metal to be recovered to a temperature of not less than 200 DEG C and a pressure not less than 75 atmospheres in an atmosphere comprising a quantity of oxygen at least sufficient to oxidize substantially all the carbon present, the oxidation being carried out in the presence of a liquid aqueous phase. The process also relates to the recovery of silver from photographic film.