Apparatus and method for condensing metal vapor
US8926727B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF27D3/14
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods for condensing metal vapors comprising directing a mixture of metal vapor and carrier gas into at least one inlet conduit are provided. Some methods comprise directing the mixture of metal vapor and carrier gas into a holding tank for liquid metal and subsequently into at least one outlet conduit operatively connected to the tank; cooling the at least one outlet conduit to cause some of the metal vapor inside the conduit to condense to solid metal; subsequent to condensing solid metal, stopping the cooling of at least one of the outlet conduits and commencing heating of the same outlet conduits to cause the solid metal to melt to form liquid metal; collecting the liquid metal in the tank; and preventing the remaining metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the same outlet conduits during at least a portion of the heating of the same outlet conduits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.