Process for producing high purity zirconium and hafnium
US4668287A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 1985 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S266/905
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This is a process for producing high quality zirconium or hafnium sponge. It is especially useful for producing the very high purity zirconium which may be used to line the inner surface zirconium of Zircaloy tubing for nuclear fuel rods. The process uses a combination reduction-distillation vessel which is directly fed with zirconium or hafnium tetrachloride from a molten salt sublimer. A precharge of magnesium chloride is used to prevent reduction of metal outside the inner liner, and thereby facilitate removal of the inner liner after reduction and distillation. The agitator for the molten salt sublimer preferably utilizes a molten metal seal around the agitator shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.