Horizontal, multistage electron beam refinement of metals with recycle
US4488902A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1983 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22B9/228
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A multistage method of refining a metal containing at least two metallic components in at least two sequential metal vaporization stages substantially horizontally arranged and each having a metal feed thereto, comprises, PA0 in each stage, irradiating the metal feed with an electron beam effective to heat the metal to a temperature at which the total vapor pressure of the melt is about 0.5 to 7 torr, and at which the partial vapor pressure of at least one metal component of the melt is different from that of at least one other metal component of the melt, and forming a vapor phase and a melt phase, in which each phase is either enriched or depleted in at least one metal component; PA1 wherein the vapor pressure of the condensate of said vapor phase at its condensation point is less than about 10.sup.-3 torr; PA1 and wherein the effective operating pressure of each stage is maintained at a low level compatible with electron beam irradiation; PA0 passing the melt phase of each stage downstream to form at least part of the feed of the next stage; and PA0 recycling the vapor phase of at least one stage upstream to at least one preceding stage to form at least part of the feed thereto;…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.