US3508846A - Hydraulic method and apparatus for metering molten alkali metals - Google Patents

Hydraulic method and apparatus for metering molten alkali metals Download PDF

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Publication number
US3508846A
US3508846A US647116A US3508846DA US3508846A US 3508846 A US3508846 A US 3508846A US 647116 A US647116 A US 647116A US 3508846D A US3508846D A US 3508846DA US 3508846 A US3508846 A US 3508846A
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United States
Prior art keywords
displacement
sodium
chamber
molten
line
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Expired - Lifetime
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US647116A
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English (en)
Inventor
Gilbert I Addis
Theodore H Kelly
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Union Carbide Corp
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Union Carbide Corp
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F1/00—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped
    • F04F1/06—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium acting on the surface of the liquid to be pumped
    • F04F1/10—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium acting on the surface of the liquid to be pumped of multiple type, e.g. with two or more units in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B49/20—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00 by changing the driving speed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables

Definitions

  • the method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for, though not limited to, the metering of molten sodium to an extruding head used in the manufacture of electrical conductors in accordance with the product and process described respectively in pending applications Ser. No. 485,485 filed Sept. 7, 1965 entitled Electrical Conductor and Ser. No. 485,523 filed Sept. 7, 1965 entitled Method of Preparing Electrical Conductor.
  • the hydraulic displacement liquid is of a type selected to be not only chemically inert to and immiscible with the molten alkali metal, but also one which separates readily from the molten alkali metal and which exhibits good lubricating and pumping qualities.
  • the hydraulic displacement liquid e.g. mineral oil
  • this liquid is free of slag contaminants and has good lubricating characteristics, it can be directly and reliably metered by conventional, constant displacement pumps at a uniform volume flow-rate.
  • the abo-ve-enumerated problems encountered with prior art attempts to directly pump molten alkali metals are thus most effectively avoided.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention method and apparatus for alternately and sequentially metering molten sodium at a substantially constant volume flow-rate from first and second displacement chambers to a process line;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the invention wherein molten sodium is continuously metered at a substantially constant volume flow-rate from a first displacement chamber and a second displacement chamber is provided for hydraulically replenishing the sodium supply in the first chamber.
  • the metering apparatus includes a pair of displacement chambers A and B each of which is adapted to transiently store a desired volume of molten sodium prior to and during its uniform metering to an output process line 50.
  • Molten sodium is supplied by conventional means such as a pump or by gravity to the displacement chambers at any convenient temperature above the melting temperature of 97.8 C. for sodium, preferably between C. and C., from a make-up storage tank through line 40 and valves 24 and 34 respectively.
  • the temperatures of the molten sodium in the A and B chambers are preferably maintained at substantially the same value by conventional controlled heating means 26 and 36 but not necessarily the same as the temperature of the make-up storage supply.
  • the molten sodium is hydraulically displaced from either the A or B chamber with mineral oil or other displacement fluid supplied at a predetermined constant volume flow-r-ate from pump system 10 through lines 11, 11A and valve 21 to chamber A or lines 11, 11B and valve 31 to chamber B.
  • the oil flow is directed to the other chamber and the first chamber is refilled with molten sodium to the desired upper level.
  • the displacement fluid is desirably chosen for excellent lubricating and handling characteristics, any one of a variety of well-known conventional constant-displacement pumps may be employed to supply the desired uniform flow of oil to line 11.
  • the output flow from the selected pump should preferably be substantially free of pulsations.
  • oil from a constant-head tank 14 is supplied to the input of a constant-displacement gear pump 12 having very low pulsation amplitude in the output which is connected to line 11.
  • pump 12 is driven by a variable speed motor 13 controlled by a conventional speed regulator 13R, the latter being adjustable to give an operating speed which provides the desired oil volume rate-of-flow into either chamber A or B and in turn the desired uniform displacement volume flow-rate of molten sodium into process line 50.
  • a constant head of oil is maintained in tank 14 through line 19 by centrifugal pump 16 the oil input of which is supplied by line 18 from oil storage tank 17.
  • the pumping rate of 16 is adjusted to be greater than that of pump 12 so that an over-flow return via 20 is continuously maintained and the desired constant head provided for the input of pump 12. If preferred, pump 16, constant head tank 14 and the accompanying lines may be eliminated and pump 12 supplied directly from oil storage tank 17.
  • the temperature of the oil in storage tank 17 is preferably regulated by temperature regulator 17R to minimize variations in the density of the displacement oil and thereby minimize undesired changes in sodium volume flow-rate.
  • chambers A and B should preferably be controlled to substantially the same temperature to minimize differences in sodium density between the two chambers and thus minimize changes in metering rate with switch-over from one chamber to the other.
  • the sodium displacement chambers A and B preferably should be free of trapped gas in order to avoid undesired variations due to gas compression with attendant change of flow-rate into line 50 during switch-over.
  • the A and B displacement chambers should preferably be provided with conical tops and bottoms with the input and output lines connected near the respective crowns as shown to avoid undesired trapping of gas in the chambers during either the sodium filling or the sodium displacement operations.
  • valves 21, 31, 25 and 35 closed, the A and B chambers are initially filled with molten sodium to the desired level as indicated by level indicators 27 and 37 from a filtered storage supply via line 40 through opened valves 24 and 34, the oil being displaced through opened valves 22 and 32. Valves 24 and 34 are then closed and the sodiumis alternately metered from A and B chambers into line 50 with the chambers being alternately refilled from line 40.
  • valves 21 and 25 are both opened and valves 22, 31, 32 and 35 are all closed. Molten sodium is displaced into line 50 by the oil pumped into the top of the tank through 11, 11A and 21 by pump 12.
  • the desired metering rate is established by adjusting the speed of motor 13 which is preferably maintained at the desired speed by 13R.
  • chamber A While the sodium in chamber B is being hydraulically displaced into line 50, chamber A is refilled with molten sodium by opening oil overflow valves 22 and 24.
  • the oil used to displace the molten sodium from chamber A is then itself displaced through valve 22, line 60, oil cooler 61 and return line 62 back to oil storage tank 17. While cooler 61 may be eliminated from the oil return line, it is advantageous for more uniform operation to drop the return oil temperature from that of the molten sodium to say 50 C. and then reheat to the desired temperature of about C. to C. in tank 17.
  • valves 22 and 24 are closed.
  • Valves 21, 22, 24, 25, 31, 32, 34, 35 may be fitted with solenoid or other actuators and their opening and closing may be controlled in desired sequence by an appropriate controller actuated by level sensors, timing devices or other suitable control transducers.
  • FIG. 2 A second preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the molten sodium is continuously metered at the desired uniform flow-rate from only a single displacement chamber A to the output process line 50.
  • the sodium supply for chamber A is replenished as required in order to provide continuous uninterrupted output to line 50 by displacement of sodium from chamber B1 into A. The requirement of cyclically switching the output line 50 from one chamber to the other is thereby avoided.
  • FIG. 2 in which like elements are identified by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1.
  • chambers A and B1 are partially or completely filled with oil via oil supply line 11A.
  • Molten sodium supplied via line 40 through opened valve 34 fills sodium storage chamber E1, the displaced oil returning to storage through line 60.
  • valve 34 When sodium storage chamber B1 has been filled to the desired level, valve 34 is closed and valves 71 and 31B are opened, thus allowing sodium to flow from chamber B1 to sodium displacement chamber A.
  • the sodium being heavier than the mineral oil, displaces the oil from chamher A to chamber B1 through line 73 until the sodium levels are substantially equalized.
  • the desired metering operation is initiated by closing valves 31B and 71, and opening valves 21 and 25, whereby molten sodium is displaced from tank A to the process line at a rate equivalent to the metered rate of oil input through line 11A.
  • Sodium storage chamber B1 can be refilled with molten sodium during the metering operation by opening valves 32B and 34. Following the refilling operation, valves 32B and 34 are closed.
  • valves 31B and 71 When the level of sodium in chamber A is displaced to a predetermined lower limit, valves 31B and 71 are opened to allow oil to flow from chamber A to chamber B1 and in turn allow sufficient molten sodium to flow from B1 to A until the sodium levels are substantially equal. Valves 31B and 71 are then closed and chamber B1 refilled as described above. The replenishment of both chambers with molten sodium is repeated as required to maintain an uninterrupted metering of sodium to line 50.
  • a pump may be installed in line 73 and the replenishment transfer of sodium from B1 to A may be effected by pumping oil from chamber A to chamber B1.
  • valves 71 and 313 may be left open so that sodium is displaced from both chambers into line 50 or these valves may be closed immediately and the sodium supply in chamber B1 replenished.
  • valves 71 and 313 must be closed while sufiicient sodium remains in chamber A to supply the process during the period of time that is required to refill chamber B1 with molten sodium.
  • Chamber B1 is preferably purged of any trapped gas after filling and the pressure in B1 is raised to equal the pressure in chamber A by admitting oil from any convenient source into chamber B1. Valves 71 and 3113 may then be opened to repeat the cycle of replenishing sodium in A.
  • the diameter of chamber B1 is preferably made larger than chamber A because, within limits, it is desirable that the level in chamber A be as high as possible after equalizing. Thus, if the diameter of B1 is twice the diameter of A, the level of sodium will rise four feet in chamber A for each one-foot fall of the level in B1. It should be understood that throughout the sodium replenishment operations described above, displacement oil is continuously pumped into chamber A via line 11A at a predetermined uniform floW-rate and molten sodium is continuously displaced at the desired uniform flow-rate into line 50.
  • the displacement chambers and the inter-connecting lines in both embodiments must be heated to maintain the "sodium in a molten condition and the temperatures of the chambers preferably regulated as indicated above.
  • Apparatus for hydraulically metering a molten alkali metal from a supply source to an output line at a substantially constant flow-rate comprising:
  • Apparatus for hydraulically metering a molten alkali metal from a supply source to an output line at a substantially constant volume flow-rate comprising:
  • Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 characterized in that means are provided for controlling the temperature of the molten alkali metal in each of the plural displacement chambers.
  • Apparatus for hydraulically metering a molten alkali metal from a supply source to an output line at a substantially constant flow-rate comprising:

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
US647116A 1967-06-19 1967-06-19 Hydraulic method and apparatus for metering molten alkali metals Expired - Lifetime US3508846A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US64711667A 1967-06-19 1967-06-19

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US3508846A true US3508846A (en) 1970-04-28

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US647116A Expired - Lifetime US3508846A (en) 1967-06-19 1967-06-19 Hydraulic method and apparatus for metering molten alkali metals

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US3508846A (fr)
JP (1) JPS4816575B1 (fr)
BE (1) BE716758A (fr)
CH (1) CH473631A (fr)
DE (1) DE1758345B1 (fr)
FR (1) FR1557569A (fr)
GB (1) GB1235489A (fr)
NL (2) NL6806307A (fr)
SE (1) SE350283B (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE1004021A3 (nl) * 1989-08-10 1992-09-08 Ven Kari Werkwijze en inrichting voor het door een leiding pompen van vloeistof op hoge temperatuur.
EP2452071B1 (fr) * 2009-07-09 2014-01-08 Basf Se Procédé de transport de liquides

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US755722A (en) * 1903-07-28 1904-03-29 George Stroh Process of making metal castings.
US2246594A (en) * 1937-04-29 1941-06-24 Celanese Corp Supplying liquids at constant rates
US2310377A (en) * 1940-10-31 1943-02-09 Standard Oil Co System for handling abrasive powder
US2704034A (en) * 1951-10-20 1955-03-15 Aeroprojects Inc Pumping system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US755722A (en) * 1903-07-28 1904-03-29 George Stroh Process of making metal castings.
US2246594A (en) * 1937-04-29 1941-06-24 Celanese Corp Supplying liquids at constant rates
US2310377A (en) * 1940-10-31 1943-02-09 Standard Oil Co System for handling abrasive powder
US2704034A (en) * 1951-10-20 1955-03-15 Aeroprojects Inc Pumping system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1758345B1 (de) 1971-07-01
GB1235489A (en) 1971-06-16
SE350283B (fr) 1972-10-23
JPS4816575B1 (fr) 1973-05-23
NL6806307A (fr) 1968-12-20
NL7407838A (fr) 1974-08-26
BE716758A (fr) 1968-12-18
FR1557569A (fr) 1969-02-14
CH473631A (fr) 1969-06-15

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