Appeal 2007-0617
Application 10/292,321
According to Appellants, the invention is directed to a process for
recovering valuable metals from superalloys comprising decomposing a
superalloy electrochemically in an apparatus including an anode and a
cathode under specified conditions (Br. 2). Independent claim 1 is
illustrative of the invention and is reproduced below:
1. A process of recovering valuable metals from superalloys
comprising, decomposing a superalloy electrochemically in an
apparatus comprising an anode and a cathode, and with an electrolysis
voltage and an electrolysis current, wherein,
(i) the superalloy is used both as the anode and as the
cathode,
(ii) the polarity of the electrolysis current is reversed with a
frequency of from 0.005 to 5 Hz,
(iii) said electrolysis voltage is from 2 to 6 volts, and
(iv) said electrolysis current is constant.
The Examiner has relied on the following references as evidence of
obviousness:
Venkatachalam, “Electrochemical Dissolution of Nickel from a Superalloy
Scrap by Alternating Current,” J. Electrochem. Soc. India, 35-2, pp. 127-131
(1986);
Krynitz US 5,776,329 Jul. 07, 1998
2
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