US 12,073,951 B2
Sodium vaporizer and methods
Christopher M. Regan, Seattle, WA (US); and Jacob Wilcox, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to TerraPower, LLC, Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed by TerraPower, LLC, Bellevue, WA (US)
Filed on Mar. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/124,159.
Application 18/124,159 is a division of application No. 16/934,901, filed on Jul. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,626,213.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/891,244, filed on Aug. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0223161 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 17/028 (2006.01); B01B 1/00 (2006.01); B01J 8/02 (2006.01); B05C 11/11 (2006.01); C23C 14/14 (2006.01); C23C 14/24 (2006.01); F27B 14/10 (2006.01); B01D 1/06 (2006.01); G01N 27/626 (2021.01)
CPC G21C 17/028 (2013.01) [B01B 1/005 (2013.01); B01J 8/0285 (2013.01); B05C 11/11 (2013.01); C23C 14/14 (2013.01); C23C 14/243 (2013.01); F27B 14/10 (2013.01); B01D 1/06 (2013.01); G01N 27/626 (2013.01); Y10S 261/65 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for vaporizing molten metal comprising:
heating a charge of molten metal held within a crucible to generate a vapor output, wherein the crucible is disposed at least partially within an inner chamber;
flowing heated inert gas into an inlet of an outer chamber, wherein the inner chamber is at least partially disposed within the outer chamber;
channeling the flow of heated inert gas between the inner chamber and the outer chamber;
passing the flow of heated inert gas over a surface area of the molten metal, wherein upon the heated inert gas passing over the surface area, at least a portion of the vapor output mixes therewith;
selectively moving the crucible relative to the inner chamber so as to adjust the surface area of the molten metal exposed to the flow of heated inert gas and change the vapor output of the molten metal; and
calibrating a sodium ionization detector via the vapor output.