Device for recovering sodium hydride
US6624380B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J2219/0894
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A device and method for producing sodium (Na) from a feed material such as a mixture of methane (CH4) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) includes a plasma torch configured to heat the feed material to a temperature sufficient to reduce and ionize sodium (Na). As such, a plasma jet is created by the plasma torch that contains ionized sodium (Na) and non-ionized neutrals such as hydrogen (H) and carbon monoxide (CO). From the plasma torch, the plasma jet is introduced into a chamber where a magnetic field has been established. Once inside the chamber the heated mixture of ions and neutrals interacts with the magnetic field in the chamber to cause the sodium ions to travel substantially along the magnetic field lines while the neutrals travel on paths that are essentially unaffected by the magnetic field. A collector is positioned to receive and accumulate sodium (Na).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.