The liquid metal experimental reactor is a high-temperature and high-pressure equipment designed specifically for processing liquid metal reactions. Its structure and principle are as follows:
1、 Core structure
Cauldron body and lid
Material: High temperature and corrosion-resistant metal materials such as stainless steel, titanium alloys, or nickel based alloys are usually used to withstand the high temperatures (up to hundreds to thousands of degrees Celsius) and chemical corrosion of liquid metals.
Sealing design: The kettle body and kettle cover are connected by flanges, using metal sealing or special sealing structures (such as magnetic sealing) to ensure no leakage under high pressure.
Interface: equipped with feeding port, discharging port, observation window, thermometer port, pressure gauge port, etc., for easy operation and monitoring.
stirring device
Type: Select the agitator type based on the viscosity of the liquid metal, such as anchor, paddle, turbine, or ribbon.
Drive method: Drive the mixing shaft through magnetic coupling transmission or mechanical seal transmission to avoid medium leakage.
Function: Fully mix liquid metal, improve reaction rate and uniformity, while preventing precipitation or local overheating.
Heating and cooling system
Heating method:
Electric heating: Install electric heating elements on the outer wall of the kettle to transfer heat through thermal radiation.
Induction heating: using the principle of electromagnetic induction to directly heat liquid metal, with high efficiency and uniform temperature.
Thermal oil heating: Indirect heating is achieved by circulating high-temperature thermal oil through a jacket or coil using a circulation pump.
Cooling method:
Jacket cooling: Cooling water or frozen salt water is introduced into the jacket to absorb the heat inside the kettle.
Internal cooling tube cooling: Install cooling tubes inside the kettle to directly contact with liquid metal for cooling.
Temperature and pressure control system
Temperature control: Equipped with high-precision temperature sensors and PID temperature control modules, real-time monitoring and adjustment of heating or cooling devices to ensure a temperature fluctuation range of ≤± 1 ℃.
Pressure control: Monitor the pressure inside the kettle through pressure sensors and safety valves, and automatically release pressure when overpressure occurs to ensure safety.
safety device
Safety valve: It automatically opens and releases pressure when the pressure exceeds the set value.
Explosive disc: As a secondary protective device, it can rupture and release pressure in extreme situations.
Explosion proof structure: using explosion-proof motors and electrical components to prevent accidents caused by electric sparks.
2、 Working principle
Reaction preparation
Add liquid metal or other reactants into the kettle through the feeding port in proportion.
Close the kettle lid and check the sealing to ensure no leakage.
Heating and stirring
Start the heating system and raise the temperature inside the kettle to the required value for the reaction (such as melting, alloying, or chemical reaction temperature).
Start the stirring device to thoroughly mix the liquid metal and promote heat and mass transfer processes.
Reaction process control
Real time monitoring and adjustment of reaction conditions through temperature and pressure control systems to ensure that the reaction proceeds in a stable environment.
Introduce inert gas (such as argon) as needed to protect liquid metal from oxidation or contamination.
Reaction completion and discharge
After the reaction is complete, stop heating and stirring, and lower the temperature inside the kettle to a safe range through the cooling system.
Open the discharge port, discharge the product, and perform subsequent processing or analysis.
3、 Application Fields
Liquid metal experimental reactors are widely used in the following fields:
Research on metal materials: alloy preparation, melting, heat treatment, etc.
New energy development: research on liquid metals such as lithium-ion battery materials and solar cell materials.
Aerospace: Research and testing of high-temperature alloys and special metal materials.
Nuclear energy field: nuclear fuel processing, research on radioactive liquid metals.