# US 2021/0276086 A1 · System and method for powder processing

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- Number: US 2021/0276086 A1
- Document ID: US20210276086A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/197,045
- Filed: 2021-03-10
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 2017-09-30
- Inventors: Viktor Samarov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276086A1

## CPC

- B22F 1/142: Thermal or thermo-mechanical treatment
- B22F 1/14: Treatment of metallic powder (mixing with lubricating or binding agents or with organic material B22F1/10)
- B22F 9/04: starting from solid material, e.g. by crushing, grinding or milling ({C22C1/1084 takes precedence}; crushing, grinding or milling, in general, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. B02C)
- B22F 2998/10: Processes characterised by the sequence of their steps
- B22F 2999/00: Aspects linked to processes or compositions used in powder metallurgy
- Y02P 10/25: Process efficiency
- B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

The present invention may comprise processes, methods, and systems for powder processing aimed at and characterized in reduction of adsorbed gases, vapors, particulates, and moisture through high-temperature vacuum out-gassing by disintegrating the powder bulk or flow into separate particles. Heat may be transferred to powder particles in vacuum by multiple interactions during intimate contact with heated metal balls within a tube or other container.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for processing flowing material, comprising:
adding a plurality of metal spheres packed into an interior space of a reaction vessel, packed to a volumetric proportion of about 50% to about 60% between an upper inlet of the reaction vessel and a lower outlet of the reaction vessel;
compressing the reaction vessel in a direction towards the interior space of the reaction vessel, wherein the metal spheres have contact surfaces with other metal spheres and contact surfaces with an interior surface of the interior space of the reaction vessel;
transferring heat from an exterior of the reaction vessel towards the interior space of the reaction vessel;
transferring heat from the exterior of the reaction vessel to the plurality of metal spheres;
flowing powder material into the reaction vessel under gravity and vibration;
submitting the reaction vessel to an interior vacuum;
flowing powder material through the interior of the reaction vessel under gravity and vibration in intimate contact with the plurality of heated metal spheres;
wherein the powder material is dispersed into an array of separated particles;
wherein the separated particles are heated from multiple contacts with the heated spheres; and
removing the powder material particles out the lower outlet of the reaction vessel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of metal spheres comprises nubbed spheres.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of metal spheres comprises steel spheres.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, the total volume of the flowing powder material is between about 16% to about 25% of the volume of the heated spheres compressed within the reaction vessel.

### Claim 5

An apparatus for flowing a particulated material through a mass of a solid material, comprising:
a reaction vessel with an exterior surface and an interior space;
a plurality of metal spheres packed into the interior space of the reaction vessel, packed to a volumetric proportion of about 50% to about 60% between an upper inlet of the reaction vessel and a lower outlet of the reaction vessel;
wherein the reaction vessel is compressed with the plurality of packed metal spheres inside the interior space of the reaction vessel to a volumetric proportion of about 70% to about 80% such that the plurality of metal spheres does not flow in relation to the interior space of the reaction vessel;
an upper inlet in fluid communication with the reaction vessel; and
a lower outlet in fluid communication with the reaction vessel and the upper inlet.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the reaction vessel is sealed under vacuum.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of metal spheres comprises nubs.