Sodium-tin and sodium-tin-lead coolants
AssigneeTerraPower, LLC
InventorsRobert A. Corbin, Christopher M. Regan, James M. Vollmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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).
Claims19
A composition consisting essentially of:
- 90-99.9 mol % sodium (Na);
- 0-10 mol % lead (Pb);
- and
- the balance being tin (Sn).
A method for cooling an industrial process comprising:
- obtaining a composition of 90-99.9 mol % sodium (Na), 0-10 mol % lead (Pb) and the balance being tin (Sn);
- heating the composition at a first location, thereby creating a heated composition;
- moving the heated composition from the first location to a second location;
- and
- removing at least some energy from the composition at the second location, thereby reducing its temperature and creating a cooled composition.
A composition consisting essentially of sodium and tin that supports a continuous reaction with air at temperature higher than that which pure sodium supports a continuous reaction with air.
A composition consisting essentially of sodium, lead and tin that supports a continuous reaction with air at temperature higher than that which pure sodium supports a continuous reaction with air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.