Abstract In an apparatus adapted for the production of zirconium metal, by the reduction of zirconium tetrachloride with metallic magnesium with magnesium chloride being formed as a by-product, comprising a reaction vessel provided with means allowing for the introduction of zirconium tetrachloride vapor into said reaction vessel, a pressure control valve and means allowing for the introduction to and exhaustion from said reaction vessel of a gas, and an outer vessel surrounding said reaction vessel defining an annular space therebetween, the improvement which comprises a first means communicating between the interior of said reaction vessel and said annular space allowing for the discharge of said by-product magnesium chloride from the interior of said reaction vessel to said annular space and a second means communicating between said annular space and outside of said outer vessel allowing for the discharge of said by-product magnesium chloride from said annular space.
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a siphon-shaped passage having a first opening in said reaction vessel and a second opening in said annular space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first opening opens into the inside of the lower part of said reaction vessel; wherein said passage extends upwardly from said first opening, curves substantially 180*, and then extends downwardly to said second opening, said second opening being higher relative to said first opening; wherein both openings are provided at heights such that when a layer of magnesium metal formed during the reduction is at a height higher than the uppermost part of said passage during the reduction of zirconium tetrachloride with magnesium metal, a layer of said by-product magnesium chloride is present about said first opening; and wherein said second opening is at a height such as to prevent the outflow of magnesium chloride from the reaction vessel before the magnesium metal layer reaches said first opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a third means is provided at said first opening to prevent the in-flow of magnesium metal into said passage, said third means containing a substance which is flowable at the reaction temperature, immiscible with magnesium metal and inert to the reaction and has a specific gravity greater than that of magnesium metal, to a depth such that said first opening is submerged in said substance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said substance is magnesium chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a fourth means is provided above said third means in order to prevent the in-flow into said third means of zirconium metal which has resulted from the reduction and is descending in said reaction vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said passage is formed in a wall of said reaction vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said third means is disposed in the center of said reaction vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a heating means.