Extraction process for removing metallic impurities from alkalide metals

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866480

Royer, Lamar T ^[1]

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1. Knoxville, TN

A development is described for removing metallic impurities from alkali metals by employing an extraction process wherein the metallic impurities are extracted from a molten alkali metal into molten lithium metal due to the immiscibility of the alkali metals in lithium and the miscibility of the metallic contaminants or impurities in the lithium. The purified alkali metal may be readily separated from the contaminant-containing lithium metal by simple decanting due to the differences in densities and melting temperatures of the alkali metals as compared to lithium.

• Research Organization: LOCKHEED MARTIN ENRGY SYST INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4721525
• OSTI ID: 866480
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/75/
alkali
alkali metal
alkali metals
alkalide
compared
containing lithium
contaminant-containing
contaminants
decanting
densities
described
differences
due
employing
extracted
extraction
extraction process
immiscibility
impurities
lithium
lithium metal
melting
melting temperature
metal
metallic
metallic contaminant
metallic contaminants
metallic impurities
metals
miscibility
molten
molten alkali
molten lithium
moving metal
process
purified
readily
readily separated
removing
removing metal
removing metallic
separated
simple
temperatures