Reduction device using liquid metal

• US 10,689,729 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2015
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: korea institute of industrial technology
• Original Assignee: korea institute of industrial technology
• Inventors: Lee, Uen Do, Yang, Won, Bang, Byung Ryeul, Jeong, Soo Hwa, Moon, Ji Hong
• Primary Examiner(s): Roe, Jessee R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aboagye, Michael
• Application Number:
  US15/537,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20170349969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,649 Days
• Field of Search: 266101, 266164, 422638, 422639, 422644, 422645, 422648
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 13/02 by dry processes
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 25/02 by dry processes
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 30/06 Obtaining bismuth
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 5/12 by gases
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 58/00 Obtaining gallium or indium treatment or purification of solutions by liquid-liquid extraction, by ion-exchange or by adsorption C22B3/20

Abstract

A reduction device using a liquid metal, which can improve the oxidation reaction of a reducing agent for reducing a material to be reduced using a liquid metal, while simultaneously effectively controlling the same. The reduction device according to the present invention comprises: a storage unit in which the liquid metal is supplied and stored; a reducing agent positioned in the storage unit; a reduction unit positioned on a side of the storage unit, which receives a material to be reduced and enables fluid communication with the storage unit; and a liquid metal storage unit. According to the present invention, a reducing agent, which has strong reducing ability, is sublimated using a liquid metal, thereby further improving the reduction capability, and the same is also controlled precisely, thereby removing restrictions on use resulting from the explosive reaction of the reducing agent and guaranteeing efficient operation.

Claims

1. A device for reducing a material using a liquid metal, comprising:

a storage unit containing the liquid metal;

a reducing agent block positioned in the storage unit; and

a reduction unit positioned on a side of the storage unit in fluid communication with the storage unit, which receives a material to be reduced;

wherein the reducing agent, after sublimation, flows to the reduction unit via fluid communication;

wherein the liquid metal is different from the reducing agent; and

wherein the reduction device further comprises a dispersion plate positioned between the storage unit and the reduction unit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reduction device further comprises a refrigerant supply unit configured to supply a refrigerant to the reducing agent block in the storage unit and a first controller controlling a flow of refrigerant from the refrigerant supply unit to the storage unit based on information received from at least one of a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a gas supply unit supplying an inactive gas to the storage unit and a second controller controlling the flow of inactive gas from the gas supply unit to the storage unit based on information received from at least one of a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein an amount of reducing agent particles passing through the dispersion plate is controlled by the first and second controllers.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a reduction reaction of the material to be reduced is controlled by the amount of the reducing agent particles.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent block is a magnesium block.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid metal is one selected from the group consisting of tin, bismuth, lead, and gallium.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent block is a reservoir for the reducing agent, wherein the reservoir comprises a reservoir comprising a mesh and a particulated reducing agent which the reservoir receives.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the reduction device further comprises a liquid metal storage unit connected to a side of the storage unit.