Method and apparatus for the production of metal oxide powder

• US 5,207,973 A
• Filed: 02/06/1992
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Byers, Charles H., Scott, Timothy C., Harris, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US07/832,091
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 266/170, 501/12, 501/1, 204/186
• US Class Current: 266/170
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 14/00 Chemical processes in general for reacting liquids with liquids; Apparatus specially adapted therefor B01J8/00, B01J19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/088 giving rise to electric discharges for heating purposes H05B7/00; for the production of ozone C01B13/11, H01T19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/26 Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00548 Flow
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 9/14 using electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/328 by processes making use of emulsions, e.g. the kerosine process
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 33/126 Preparation of silica of undetermined type
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 11/02 Oxides or hydroxides production of lime C04B2/00
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 17/224 Oxides or hydroxides of lanthanides
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 23/003 Titanates C01G23/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 25/00 Compounds of zirconium
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 3/006 Compounds containing, besides copper, two or more other elements, with the exception of oxygen or hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 3/02 Oxides; Hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/32 Spheres
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/61 Micrometer sized, i.e. from 1-100 micrometer
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/62 Submicrometer sized, i.e. from 0.1-1 micrometer

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for preparing metal oxide powder. A first solution, which is substantially organic, is prepared. A second solution, which is an aqueous solution substantially immiscible in the first solution, is prepared and delivered as drops to the first solution. The drops of the second solution are atomized by a pulsed electric field forming micro-drops of the second solution. Reagents in the first solution diffuse into and react with reactants in the micro-drops of the second solution forming metal hydroxide or oxalate particles. The metal hydroxide or metal oxalate particles are then recovered and dried to produce the metal oxide powder. An apparatus for preparing a metal oxide powder is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reacting immiscible liquid reactant phases to form metal oxide particles comprising:

a vessel for containing a liquid continuous phase reactant;

a liquid drop delivering means for delivering a liquid dispersed phase reactant as drops into said liquid continuous phase reactant, said liquid drop delivering means being disposed so as to be submerged in said liquid continuous phase reactant, at least one of said liquid continuous phase reactant and said liquid dispersed phase reactant comprising a source of metal-containing ions;

a pulse electric field applying means for producing and applying a pulsed electrical field to said liquid dispersed phase reactant, said pulsed electrical field applying means being disposed so as to be submerged in said liquid continuous phase reactant, said pulsed being capable of fracturing said drops of said liquid dispersed phase reactant to form micro-drops of said liquid dispersed phase reactant so that said liquid continuous phase reactant can react with said micro-drops of said liquid dispersed phase reactant to form metal hydroxide particles; and

a drying means for drying said metal hydroxide particles to a metal oxide powder.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said delivering means comprises a grounded nozzle, and wherein said applying means comprises at least one electrode disposed in the vicinity of said grounded nozzle.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said applying means further comprises a power supply capable of producing an electric field of at least 2 kilovolts per centimeter between said nozzle and said electrode.