Patent ID: 6688494
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B01D,B01J,B22F,B82Y

Abstract:
An apparatus for providing dispersions of ultrafine metal particles having an average size of between 0.5 and 100 nanometers comprising:a) a source of vaporized metal connected to a mechanical pump and a collection vessel, the source of vaporized metal providing an stream of non-reactive gas flow away from the source and towards the mechanical pump; b) a source of metal into the source of vaporized metal; c) a source of non-reactive gas to carry metal material towards the mechanical pump; d) a fluid source for a fluid to collect metal particles and/or condense metal vapor into nanoparticles; e) a mechanical pump for moving the non-reactive gas with metal material into the fluid to collect metal particles and/or condense metal vapor into particles; and f) a contact zone for the i) non-reactive gas and metal material and ii) the fluid to collect metal particles and/or condense metal vapor into particles; wherein the contact zone is within the mechanical pump or after the mechanical pump.