RU2238173C2 - Method for producing microgranules of lithium and apparatus for performing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: process and equipment for producing preset -diameter spherical micro-granules of lithium.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of dispersing liquid-metal lithium in inert medium by feeding liquid-metal lithium at rate 5.5 -6.5 kg/h due to centrifugal spraying at temperature of liquid-metal lithium 200-210є C; using dried argon at initial temperature 20є C as inert medium. Apparatus for performing the method includes granulation chamber with granulating unit mounted in it and metering device connected through granulation chamber with system for feeding liquid-metal lithium and disc for providing argon circulation in granulation chamber and creating fluidized bed that allows formed micro-granules of lithium to be in suspended state for complete crystallization of them. Granulating unit is in the form of bushing having openings symmetrically arranged along its circumference. Said bushing is mounted with possibility of rotation providing dispersing of liquid-metal lithium.

EFFECT: possibility for producing preset diameter spherical micro-granules of lithium without deterioration of chemical content of lithium, elimination of further purification of lithium at using it.

2 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

The invention relates to a technology for manufacturing products from metallic lithium and, more specifically, relates to a method for producing microgranular lithium and a device for its implementation.

A known method and device for producing microspheres lithium spherical shape of a given diameter. The method includes feeding the melt under pressure into a liquid crystallizer heated to a certain temperature and creating vibrational vibrations with the amplitude and frequency determined by the given granule sizes [1].

The disadvantage of this method is the need for purification of microgranular lithium with its further use from the mold, which are used mineral oils or mixtures thereof.

A known method and device for producing spherical microgranular lithium of a given diameter by dispersing liquid metal lithium in an inert medium [2].

The disadvantages of this method are the danger when mixing the molten metal in a high boiling inert medium and the need for cleaning with the further use of microgranular lithium from oil.

The technical solution closest to the proposed one is a method and device for producing spherical particles by dispersing melts in an inert medium due to centrifugal spraying [3].

The disadvantages of this method are the lack of a dosed supply of molten metal for dispersion and the absence of a fluidized bed, which together does not allow the use of this installation to obtain microgranular lithium metal.

The objective of the invention is to provide a method for producing microspheres lithium spherical shape of a given diameter, as well as creating an installation for implementing this method, which would be safe and convenient to use and would have a fairly simple design.

This task is achieved in that in the proposed method, comprising dispersing liquid metal lithium in an inert medium, according to the invention, liquid metal lithium is supplied for dispersion at a speed of 5.5-6.5 kg / h, which is carried out by centrifugal spraying at a temperature of liquid metal lithium 200- 210 ° C, while dried argon is used as an inert medium at its initial temperature of 20 ° C.

The task is also achieved due to the fact that the proposed device containing a granulation chamber with a granulation unit installed in it, according to the invention, comprises a dispenser connected by a granulation chamber for supplying liquid metal lithium, and a disk for circulating argon in the granulation chamber and creating a fluidized bed that allows the formation of microgranular lithium is in suspension and crystallizes completely, while the granulation unit is made in the form of a glass with symmetrically arranged its circumference with openings with the possibility of its rotation, during which the dispersion of liquid metal lithium occurs.

When liquid metal lithium is dispersed, droplets of a given diameter are formed, which in the atmosphere of dried argon due to surface tension forces at the interface (liquid metal lithium - dried argon) acquire a spherical shape.

In the device for producing microgranular lithium, the circulation of the flow of dried argon is organized in such a way that the microgranulated lithium formed, being in suspension in the argon flow, manages to completely crystallize.

The method of producing microgranular lithium by dispersion by centrifugal spraying of liquid metal lithium in an atmosphere of dried argon allows microgranular lithium to be obtained without degrading the chemical composition of lithium. Microgranular lithium does not require additional purification before further use.

The device for implementing the method has a simple, convenient and safe in operation design, allows loading and unloading without violating the inertia of the environment.

The proposed method for producing microgranular lithium is carried out using the device shown in the drawing.

A device for producing microgranular lithium contains a granulation chamber (1), inside which a spray unit (2) and a disk (3) are installed. The spraying unit (2) is a glass with holes symmetrically arranged around its circumference and is designed to disperse liquid metal lithium. The disk (3) is designed to create a fluidized bed during the circulation of dried argon in the granulation chamber. In the upper part, the granulation chamber is connected to a dispenser (4), inside which a water lock (5) is installed, which allows metering liquid metal lithium at a given speed. Dosing is carried out by creating argon overpressure over liquid metal lithium in the dispenser. The dispenser is equipped with an inlet pipe (6) connected to the argon supply system, a sealed cover (12) covering the hole through which liquid metal lithium is supplied to the dispenser. To maintain the temperature of liquid metal lithium, the dispenser is heated by a ring furnace (7).

Dispersion is carried out by feeding liquid metal lithium to a rotating spray unit. In the lower part, the granulation chamber (1) is connected to an acceptance box (8) intended for unloading micro granulated lithium. The acceptance box is equipped with a prechamber (9), which allows unloading of microgranular lithium without disturbing the inertia of the medium. In addition, the device for producing microgranular lithium is equipped with inlet (10) and outlet (11) nozzles for connecting dried argon to the circulation system.

The principle of operation of the device for producing microspheres lithium spherical shape of a given diameter is as follows.

Liquid metal lithium with a temperature of 200-210 ° C from the dispenser (4) is fed through a water trap (5) for dispersion into the granulation chamber (1).

Dispersion is carried out from the rotating cup by holes (2). The supply of liquid metal lithium and dispersion are carried out simultaneously. Microgranular lithium formed as a result of dispersion is captured by a stream of dried argon, the movement of which due to the disk (3) is organized in such a way that microgranular lithium, being in suspension, manages to crystallize. As it accumulates, crystallized microgranular lithium is poured into an acceptance box (8).

Dispersion is carried out at a temperature of liquid metal lithium 200-210 ° C, a feed rate of liquid metal lithium for dispersion of 5.5-6.5 kg / h, the initial temperature of dried argon is not more than 20 ° C.

An example of the preparation of microgranular lithium: liquid metal lithium with a temperature of 225 ° C is supplied for dispersion at a speed of 4.2 kg / h, at an initial temperature of 20 ° C. The output of microgranular lithium is not more than 50%.

The experimental results are shown in the table.

The invention has great prospects for implementation on an industrial scale. The inventive method allows to obtain microspheres lithium spherical shape of a given diameter without deterioration of the chemical composition of lithium, and the use of dried argon as an inert medium eliminates the need for purification of microspheres lithium with its further use. The device made according to the invention has a simple design, convenient and safe to use.

Sources of information

1.SU 529005, class B 22 F 9/00, 11/30/1976.

2. JP 10176205, cl. B 22 F 9/06, 06/30/1998.

3. RU 2062683 C1, cl. B 22 F 9/06, 06/27/1996.

Claims (2)

1. The method of producing microspheres lithium spherical shape of a given diameter, including the dispersion of liquid metal lithium in an inert medium, characterized in that liquid metal lithium serves for dispersion at a speed of 5.5-6.5 kg / h, which is carried out by centrifugal spraying at a temperature of liquid metal lithium 200-210 ° C., while in the quality of the inert medium, dried argon is used at its initial temperature of 20 ° C. 2. A device for producing spherical microgranular lithium of a given diameter, comprising a granulation chamber with a granulation unit installed in it, characterized in that it contains a dispenser connected by a granulation chamber to supply liquid metal lithium, and a disk for circulating argon in the granulation chamber and creating boiling a layer that allows the resulting microgranular lithium to be in suspension and completely crystallize, while the granulation unit is made in the form of a glass with holes symmetrically arranged around its circumference with the possibility of its rotation, during which the dispersion of liquid metal lithium occurs.