Method for continuously recovering metals using a dual zone chemical reactor

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:869745

Bronson, Mark C ^[1]

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1. Livermore, CA

A dual zone chemical reactor continuously processes metal-containing materials while regenerating and circulating a liquid carrier. The starting materials are fed into a first reaction zone of a vessel containing a molten salt carrier. The starting materials react to form a metal product and a by-product that dissolves in the molten salt that flows to a second reaction zone in the reaction vessel. The second reaction zone is partitioned from, but in fluid communication with, the first reaction zone. The liquid carrier continuously circulates along a pathway between the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone. A reactive gas is introduced into the second reaction zone to react with the reaction by-product to generate the molten salt. The metal product, the gaseous waste products, and the excess liquid carrier are removed without interrupting the operation of the reactor. The design of the dual zone reactor can be adapted to combine a plurality of liquid carrier regeneration zones in a multiple dual zone chemical reactor for production scale processing.

• 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 5389123
• OSTI ID: 869745
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
continuously
recovering
metals
dual
zone
chemical
reactor
processes
metal-containing
materials
regenerating
circulating
liquid
carrier
starting
fed
reaction
vessel
containing
molten
salt
react
form
metal
product
by-product
dissolves
flows
partitioned
fluid
communication
circulates
pathway
reactive
gas
introduced
generate
gaseous
waste
products
excess
removed
interrupting
operation
design
adapted
combine
plurality
regeneration
zones
multiple
production
scale
processing
recovering metals
chemical reactor
waste product
reactive gas
starting material
molten salt
reaction zone
fluid communication
reaction vessel
starting materials
vessel containing
liquid carrier
waste products
metal product
zone chemical
containing material
dual zone
regeneration zone
excess liquid
reactor continuously
covering metal
containing materials
/75/423/