Title: System and method for controlling metal oxide gel particle size

Abstract

Metal oxide gel particles, may be prepared with a desired particle size, by preparing a low-temperature aqueous metal nitrate solution containing hexamethylene tetramine as a feed solution; and causing the feed solution to flow through a first tube and exit the first tube as a first stream at a first flow rate, so as to contact a high-temperature nonaqueous drive fluid. The drive fluid flows through a second tube at a second flow rate. Shear between the first stream and the drive fluid breaks the first stream into particles of the metal nitrate solution, and decomposition of hexamethylene tetramine converts metal nitrate solution particles into metal oxide gel particles. A metal oxide gel particle size is measured optically, using a sensor device directed at a flow of metal oxide gel particles within the stream of drive fluid. The sensor device measures transmission of light absorbed by either the metal oxide gel particles or the drive fluid, so that transmission of light through the drive fluid changes for a period of time as a metal oxide gel particle passes the optical sensor. If a measured particle size is not about equal to a desired particle size, the particle size may bemore » corrected by adjusting a ratio of the first flow rate to a total flow rate, where the total flow rate is the sum of the first and second flow rates. « less

Inventors:

Linneen, Nicholas N.

Issue Date:

2021-03-30

Research Org.:

X Energy, LLC, Rockville, MD (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1805677

Patent Number(s):

10962461

Application Number:

16/530,695

Assignee:

X Energy, LLC (Rockville, MD)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01G - COMPOUNDS CONTAINING METALS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C01D OR C01F

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01P - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

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C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01G - COMPOUNDS CONTAINING METALS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C01D OR C01F

C01G1/02 - Oxides
C01G43/01 - Oxides

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01P - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

C01P2004/32 - Spheres
C01P2004/60 - Particles characterised by their size

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N11/12 - by measuring rising or falling speed of the body
G01N15/0205 - {by optical means, e.g. by light scattering, diffraction, holography or imaging}
G01N15/1459 - {the analysis being performed on a sample stream}
G01N2011/008 - {optical properties}
G01N2015/003 - {in liquids, e.g. emulsion}
G01N2015/025 - {Methods for single or grouped particles}
G01N2015/1075 - {Determining speed or velocity of a particle}
G01N2015/1409 - {Control of supply of sheaths fluid, e.g. sample injection control}
G01N2015/1438 - {Using two lasers in succession}
G01N2015/1493 - {Particle size}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

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DOE Contract Number:  

NE0008472

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 08/02/2019

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English