Apparatus for direct melt synthesis of compounds containing volatile constituents
AssigneeArthur D. Little, Inc.
InventorsWilson P. Menashi, Joseph F. Wenckus, Roger A. Castonguay
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Abstract
Apparatus for the melt synthesis of inorganic compounds from elemental reactants, at least one of which is highly volatile at the temperature of the reaction. An enclosure means defining a reaction chamber and a reservoir-closure means containing the volatile elemental reactant form the reaction vessel which is sealed by a combination mechanical-liquid seal which is of a character to permit diffusion by high-pressure gas through it. Heating means are provided to effect at least three heating regimes: (I) liquefaction of a liquid sealant, (II) formation and maintenance of a molten reaction mass, and (III) heating of the volatile elemental reactant to vaporize it.
Claims18
A reaction vessel suitable for carrying out the melt synthesis of an inorganic compound formed by reacting elemental reactants, at least one of which is essentially nonvolatile and at least another of which is volatile at elevated temperatures, comprising in combination
- a. enclosure means defining a reaction chamber for containing a molten mass of said nonvolatile reactant and of said inorganic compound and having an upper access opening;
- b. reservoir-closure means defining a reservoir for said volatile reactant, engageable with said upper access opening thereby to form a mechanical seal and having a removable plug defining the bottom of said reservoir-closure means and fluid communication means in said plug through which said volatile reactant may be introduced as a gas into said reaction chamber above said molten means;
- and
- c. liquid sealant channel means associated with said mechanical seal to define therewith a combination liquid-mechanical seal of a character which prevents said liquid sealant from entering said reaction chamber but which permits the diffusing of high-pressure gases therethrough.
An apparatus for carrying out the melt synthesis of an inorganic compound formed by reacting elemental reactants, at least one of which is essentially nonvolatile and at least another of which is volatile at elevated temperatures comprising in combination
- a. a reaction vessel comprising in combination
- 1. enclosure means defining a reaction chamber for containing a molten mass of said nonvolatile reactant and of said inorganic compound and having an upper access opening,
- 2. reservoir-closure means defining a reservoir for said volatile reactant, engageable with said upper access opening thereby to form a mechanical seal and having a removable plug defining the bottom of said reservoir-closure means and fluid communication means in said plug through which said volatile reactant may be introduced as a gas into said reaction chamber above said molten mass, and
- 3. liquid sealant channel means associated with said mechanical seal to define therewith a combination liquid-mechanical seal of a character which prevents said liquid sealant from entering said reaction chamber but which permits the diffusion of high-pressure gases therethrough;
- and
- b. heating means for attaining at least three heating regimes in the following order:
- (I) the liquefaction of sealant in said liquid sealant channel, (II) the formation and maintenance of a molten mass within said reaction chamber at the temperature at which said reacting is carried out, and (III) the vaporization of said volatile elemental reactant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.