Abstract:
Nanoscale particles, particle coatings/particle arrays and corresponding consolidated materials are described based on an ability to vary the composition involving a wide range of metal and/or metalloid elements and corresponding compositions. In particular, metalloid oxides and metal-metalloid compositions are described in the form of improved nanoscale particles and coatings formed from the nanoscale particles. Compositions comprising rare earth metals and dopants/additives with rare earth metals are described. Complex compositions with a range of host compositions and dopants/additives can be formed using the approaches described herein. The particle coating can take the form of particle arrays that range from collections of disbursable primary particles to fused networks of primary particles forming channels that reflect the nanoscale of the primary particles. Suitable materials for optical applications are described along with some optical devices of interest.
Abstract:
A burner and a method for producing an inorganic soot such as silica comprising a plurality of substantially planar layers having multiple openings therethrough formed by a micromachining process. The openings are in fluid communication with a precursor inlet and a gas inlet to permit the gas and the precursor to flow through and exit the burner. The burner produces a flame from a combustible gas in which the precursor undergoes a chemical reaction to form the soot.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for producing nanoparticles at a high rate is provided. The system uses two chambers separated by a narrow duct. Contained within the lower chamber is the source material, preferably heated with an electron gun and fed with a continuous feeder for extended nanoparticle production runs. The upper chamber is used to nucleate the nanoparticles, the nanoparticles formed when the source vapor collides with a gas contained within the upper chamber. Depending upon the desired nanoparticles, the gas within the upper chamber is either inert or reactive. The duct connecting the upper and lower chambers is narrow enough to allow differential pumping of the chambers. Furthermore the vapor stream flowing though the duct at high speed provides a pumping action which helps to maintain the differential pressures within the two chambers. At least a portion of the top surface of the upper chamber is cooled, thus providing a condensation site for the nanoparticles. Periodically one or more scrappers remove the condensed nanoparticles from the condensation surface, allowing them to collect within particle collection containers surrounding the duct.
Abstract:
A low pressure combustion flame method for the production of nanophase powders, coatings and free-standing forms. The process involves controlled thermal decomposition of one or more metalorganic precursors in a flat-flame combustor unit in which both temperature distribution and gas phase residence time are uniform over the entire surface of the burner. It is this feature that makes the combustion flame reactor such a versatile tool for (1) high rate production of loosely agglomerated nanoparticle powders with controlled particle size and distribution, (2) uniform deposition of shape conformal nanophase coatings, and (3) net-shaped fabrication of nanocrystalline free-standing forms such as sheets, rings and drums. Applications for this new nanomaterials processing technology include electrical, thermal, optical, display, magnetic, catalytic, tribological and structural materials.
Abstract:
An apparatus provides high temperature and short residence time conditions for the production of nanoscale ceramic powders. The apparatus includes a confinement structure having a multiple inclined surfaces for confining flame located between the surfaces so as to define a flame zone. A burner system employs one or more burners to provide flame to the flame zone. Each burner is located in the flame zone in close proximity to at least one of the inclined surfaces. A delivery system disposed adjacent the flame zone delivers an aerosol, comprising an organic or carbonaceous carrier material and a ceramic precursor, to the flame zone to expose the aerosol to a temperature sufficient to induce combustion of the carrier material and vaporization and nucleation, or diffusion and oxidation, of the ceramic precursor to form pure, crystalline, narrow size distribution, nanophase ceramic particles.
Abstract:
A process for converting uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6) to uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) of a relatively large particle size in a fluidized bed reactor by mixing uranium hexafluoride with a mixture of steam and hydrogen and by preliminary reacting in an ejector gaseous uranium hexafluoride with steam and hydrogen to form a mixture of uranium and oxide and uranium oxyfluoride seed particles of varying sizes, separating the larger particles from the smaller particles in a cyclone separator, recycling the smaller seed particles through the ejector to increase their size, and introducing the larger seed particles from the cyclone separator into a fluidized bed reactor where the seed particles serve as nuclei on which coarser particles of uranium dioxide are formed.
Abstract:
1. A METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PARTICULATE METAL OXIDE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PROVIDING AN INDUCTION-COUPLED PLASMA TORCH, INTRODUCING A PLASMA GAS INTO SAID TORCH, SAID PLASMA GAS CONTAINING UP TO 100 PERCENT OF OXYGEN ON A FREEELEMENT BASIS, THE BALANCE OF SAID PLASMA GAS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY INERT WITH RESPECT TO SAID METAL, INITIATING A PLASMA STREAM, INTRODUCING IN PARTICULATE FORM INTO SAID PLASMA STREAM AT LEAST ONE METAL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF CHROMIUM, LEAD, MAGNESIUM, NIOBIUM, SILICON, TITANIUM, ZIRCONIUM, ALUMINUM, AND IRON, SAID PLASMA STREAM HAVING AN ENTHALPY SUFFICIENT TO VAPORIZE SAID METAL, ENVELOPING SAID PLASMA STREAM WITH A GAS CONTAINING UP TO 100 PERCENT OF OXYGEN ON A FREE-ELEMENT BASIS, THE BALANCE OF THE ENVELOPING GAS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY INERT WITH RESPECT TO SAID METAL AND THE PLASMA GAS, VAPORIZING THE METAL PARTICLES, REACTING THE METAL VAPORS WITH SAID OXYGEN, THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN PRESENT BEING AT LEAST SUFFICIENT FOR STOICHIOMETRIC REACTION WITH SAID METAL, QUENCHING THE RESULTING METAL OXIDE IN A STREAM OF GAS CONTAINING UP TO 100 PERCENT OF OXYGEN ON A FREEELEMENT BASIS, THE BALANCE OF SAID QUENCHING STREAM OF GAS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY INERT WITH RESPECT TO SAID RESULTING METAL OXIDE AND SAID PLASMA GAS, SAID RESULTING METAL OXIDE BEING IN FINELY DIVIDED FORM AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF ANY ANIONIC IMPURITY, SEPARATING PARTICLES OF SAID FINELY DIVIDED METAL OXIDE UP TO ABOUT 0.5 UM. IN SIZE FROM SAID QUENCHING STREAM, AND COLLECTING SAID SEPARATED PARTICLES OF SAID METAL OXIDE.
Abstract:
A raw material composition for producing oxygen carriers includes a first component which is one or more of nickel oxide and nickel hydroxide and a second component which is one or more of boehmite, cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, and titanium oxide, wherein, when the first component is nickel oxide, the second component includes cerium hydroxide. Such a raw material composition for producing oxygen carriers of the present invention is formed into oxygen carriers according to an oxygen carrier producing method, which will be described below, by adjusting the composition, formulation of raw materials, and degree of homogenization. Then, it is possible to produce oxygen carriers having physical properties such as a shape, a particle size, and a particle distribution suitable for a fluidized bed process or a high speed fluidized bed process and having improved wear-resistance, long-term durability, and oxygen transfer performance.
Abstract:
Process for preparing pulverulent solids, in which one or more oxidizable and/or hydrolysable metal compounds are reacted in a high-temperature zone in the presence of oxygen and/or steam, the reaction mixture is cooled after the reaction, and the pulverulent solid is removed from gaseous substances, wherein at least one metal compound is introduced into the high-temperature zone in solid form and the evaporation temperature of the metal compound is below the temperature of the high-temperature zone.
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for producing fumed metal oxide particles comprising providing a stream of a liquid feedstock comprising a volatizable, non-halogenated metal oxide precursor, providing a stream of a combustion gas having a linear velocity sufficient to atomize and combust or pyrolyze the liquid feedstock, and injecting the stream of the liquid feedstock into the stream of combustion gas to form a reaction mixture such that the liquid feedstock is atomized and subjected to a sufficient temperature and residence time in the combination gas stream for fumed metal oxide particles to form before the combustion gas temperature is reduced below the solidifying temperature of the metal oxide particle. The invention further provides fumed silica particles having a relatively small aggregate size and/or narrow aggregate size distribution.