# US 11,028,303 B2 · Sodium-tin and sodium-tin-lead coolants

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,028,303 B2
- Document ID: US11028303B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/195,180
- Filed: 2018-11-19
- Published: 2019-05-23
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2017-11-20
- Assignees: TerraPower, LLC
- Applicants: TerraPower, LLC
- Inventors: Robert A. Corbin; Kevin Kramer; Christopher M. Regan; James M. Vollmer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028303B2

## CPC

- C09K 5/10: Liquid materials
- C09K 5/12: Molten materials, i.e. materials solid at room temperature, e.g. metals or salts
- C09K 5/16: Materials undergoing chemical reactions when used
- C22C 24/00: Alloys based on an alkali or an alkaline earth metal
- G21C 1/02: Fast fission reactors, i.e. reactors not using a moderator {; Metal cooled reactors; Fast breeders}
- G21C 15/28: Selection of specific coolants (if serving as the moderator G21C5/12; compositions per se C09K5/00; {organic coolants G21C5/123}); {Additions to the reactor coolants, e.g. against moderator corrosion (purification and regeneration of the reactor coolants G21C19/30)}
- Y02E 30/30: Nuclear fission reactors
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C22C: ALLOYS (treatment of alloys C21D, C22F)
- G21C: NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Sodium-tin and sodium-tin-lead compositions have been identified and created that exhibit better reactivity characteristics (i.e., are less reactive) than sodium metal under the same conditions, making these compositions safer alternatives to sodium metal for use as a coolant. These compositions include compositions having at least 90% sodium (Na), from 0-10% lead (Pb) and the balance being tin (Sn).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composition consisting of:
94.5-95.5 mol % Na;
2.5-3.5 mol % Pb; and
the balance being Sn.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is:
95 mol % Na;
3 mol % Pb; and
the balance being Sn.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition supports a continuous reaction with air at a temperature higher than that which pure sodium supports a continuous reaction with air.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition supports a continuous reaction with air at a temperature at least about 100% higher than that which pure sodium supports a continuous reaction with air.