US4584054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solids refining process
Assignee: Research Corp
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Filing: 1984-07-13
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Granted: 1986-04-22
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Expires: 2004-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A process and an apparatus provide a purified material by employing a rate of condensation of the material which is substantially greater than the rate of solidification of the material. Tellurium and cadmium are effectively purified by the process.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence R. Holland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:04
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B17/00; C01B17/02; C01B17/0232; C01B17/20; C01B19/00; C01B19/007; C01B19/02; C01G; C01G11/00; C01G11/02; C01G13/00; C01G9/00; C01G9/08; C22; C22B; C22B17/00; C22B17/06; C22B19/00; C22B19/32; C22B43/00; C22B9/00; C22B9/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20; Y10; Y10T; Y10T117/00; Y10T117/10; Y10T117/1024; Y10T117/1092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) solids refining process which comprises: (a) establishing and maintaining in a closed VLS system having an evaporation zone and a condensing-solidifying zone an ambient gas pressure which is substantially below the vapor pressure at its melting point of a solid material located in the evaporation zone, said solid material being the material to be purified and having gases dissolved therein, (b) evaporating the material in the evaporation zone to provide vapors of the material, said material having a vapor pressure in the evaporation zone greater than the vapor pressure of said material at its melting point, (c) maintaining a temperature in the condensing-solidifying zone effective to condense the vapors of said material to a liquid and to solidify said material at a rate substantially less than the rate of condensation of said material, whereby the liquid material continuously washes the surface of the solid material in the condensing-solidifying zone, and (d) transporting the unsolidified portion of the liquid material from the condensing-solidifying zone to the evaporation zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) solids refining process which comprises: (a) establishing and maintaining in a closed VLS system having an evaporation zone and a condensing-solidifying zone an ambient gas pressure which is substantially below the vapor pressure at its melting point of a solid material located in the evaporation zone, said solid material being the material to be purified and having gases dissolved therein, (b) evaporating the material in the evaporation zone to provide vapors of the material, said material having a vapor pressure in the evaporation zone greater than the vapor pressure of said material at its melting point, (c) maintaining a temperature in the condensing-solidifying zone effective to condense the vapors of said material to a liquid and to solidify said material at a rate substantially less than the rate of condensation of said material, whereby the liquid material continuously washes the surface of the solid material in the condensing-solidifying zone, and (d) transporting the unsolidified portion of the liquid material from the condensing-solidifying zone to the evaporation zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the transporting of step (d) is effected by maintaining the evaporation zone and the condensing-solidifying zone in open vertical communication with the condensing-solidifying zone located above the evaporation zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 including the following additional step: (e) removing gases released from said solid material during step (b) which are uncondensable under the conditions of step (c).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the material to be purified comprises a member of Group VI A of the Periodic Table except oxygen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the member of Group VI A is tellurium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein material to be purified comprises a member of Group II B of the Periodic Table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the member of Group II B is cadmium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the material to be purified comprises a compound which evaporates congruently.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the compound is CdS.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein vapor pressure of the material in the evaporation zone is about 10 to about 300 times the vapor pressure at the melting point of the material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 10 wherein the vapor pressure of the material in the evaporation zone is about 50 to about 100 times the vapor pressure at the melting point of the material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the rate of solidification is about 0.5 to about 10% of the rate of condensation in step (c).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein the rate of solidification is about 1 to about 5% of the rate of condensation in step (c).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-21 | 1989-10-21 | 1990-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-10-21 | 1994-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-21 | 1997-10-21 | 1998-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |