Thermo Electron Corporation

Plasmachem, Inc.

Roy L Blizzard

Robert D Davis

Theodore N Meyer

A plasma method and apparatus produce oxide particles having average diameters determined by adjustment of process conditions. Feed material is fed into a dual chamber reaction zone in which a plasma environment is established to cause the feed material to be vaporized. Subsequently, effluent containing the vaporized feed from the reaction zone is passed into a quenching zone where it is subjected to a quenching medium, the volume, velocity and direction of which are adjustable to determine output particle size characteristics. Feed material may be an oxide per se or one which forms an oxide in situ through reduction and/or oxidation.

Apparatus for producing selective particle sized oxide

In the process of carrying out high temperature, chemical reactions including reductions for producing elemental metal powders, especially refractory metals; chlorinations for producing halogens and for chemical synthesis in general using a plasma generator, the reactant or reactants feed material is introduced into the reaction zone of the apparatus and the effluent from the reaction zone is directed into a quenching zone through a selectively variable passageway or orifice in a manner that permits in the reduction process separation of the desired reaction product from the effluent hot gas stream and the continuous collection of the reaction product in a collection zone wherein in some instances, the reaction product is of a selected characteristic, controlled by the maintenance of certain operational parameters, including a selected differential fluid pressure in the reaction and collection zone as well as reaction and collection zone temperatures. Apparatus for carrying out the high temperature chemical reactions is disclosed.

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Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Roy L Blizzard