Method for introduction of gases into microspheres
- Livermore, CA
- San Ramon, CA
- Danville, CA
A method for producing small hollow glass spheres filled with a gas by introduction of the gas during formation of the hollow glass spheres. Hollow glass microspheres having a diameter up to about 500.mu. with both thin walls (0.5 to 4.mu.) and thick walls (5 to 20.mu.) that contain various fill gases, such as Ar, Kr, Xe, Br, DT, H.sub.2, D.sub.2, He, N.sub.2, Ne, CO.sub.2, etc. in the interior thereof, can be produced by the diffusion of the fill gas or gases into the microsphere during the formation thereof from a liquid droplet of glass-forming solution. This is accomplished by filling at least a portion of the multiple-zone drop-furnace used in producing hollow microspheres with the gas or gases of interest, and then taking advantage of the high rate of gaseous diffusion of the fill gas through the wall of the gel membrane before it transforms into a glass microsphere as it is processed in the multiple-zone furnace. Almost any gas can be introduced into the inner cavity of a glass microsphere by this method during the formation of the microsphere provided that the gas is diffused into the gel membrane or microsphere prior to its transformation into glass. The process of this invention provides a significant savings of time and related expense of filling glass microspheres with various gases. For example, the time for filling a glass microballoon with 1 atmosphere of DT is reduced from about two hours to a few seconds.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4257798
- OSTI ID:
- 863833
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
introduction
gases
microspheres
producing
hollow
glass
spheres
filled
gas
formation
diameter
500
walls
thick
20
contain
various
fill
kr
xe
br
dt
etc
interior
produced
diffusion
microsphere
liquid
droplet
glass-forming
solution
accomplished
filling
portion
multiple-zone
drop-furnace
taking
advantage
rate
gaseous
wall
membrane
transforms
processed
furnace
introduced
inner
cavity
provided
diffused
prior
transformation
process
provides
significant
savings
time
related
expense
example
microballoon
atmosphere
reduced
hours
various gases
fill gas
hollow microspheres
hollow glass
gaseous diffusion
glass microspheres
taking advantage
glass spheres
liquid droplet
glass microsphere
thick wall
zone furnace
liquid drop
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