I am not sure I see a purpose in a patent. The flow sheet, or each flow sheet is being created for each specific user. Why attempt to patent a process if there is only one end user for that process?

Alos, if the idea of patenting the process was talked about it would indicate to me that the entire flotation->caustic bake process was not as simple and economic as we have been told it is. In my mind, the LESS complicated it is the better.