Apparatus for preparing dispersions of finely-divided alkali metal

Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for preparing dispersions of finely divided alkali metal substantially uniform in alkali metal concentration and having a narrow particle size below a predetermined median, said apparatus comprising a mixing tank divided by a vertically disposed baffle into a mixing zone and a substantially smaller quiescent, settling zone. Molten sodium feed and a dispersing aid mixture is agitated within said mixing zone in an inert gas blanket and alkali metal particles gravitate through the settling zone to the bottom of the mixing tank at which point the mixture containing said particles is drawn off in a continuous operation and passed to an homogenizer providing a high shear dispersion zone wherein the metallic particles are reduced in size and the mixture is returned to the mixing tank. Through repeated recirculation, such metallic particles as become reduced in size to the predetermined median size desired rise to the top of the quiescent, settling zone at which point the desired uniform dispersion containing only fine metallic particles within a closely controlled range is withdrawn.

Inventors

• 👤 Lloyd M Watson
• 👤 William R Birchall

Bibliographic Details