A method for converting a ligated-metal into chemical components of the ligated-metal includes forming an ionized zone that can convert the ligated-metal to a reduced ligated-metal intermediate. The ligated-metal is directed into the ionized zone, whereby the ligated-metal is converted to a reduced ligated-metal intermediate, thereby causing a thermodynamically stable metal-ligand bond of the ligated-metal to be electronically destabilized and inducing subsequent metal-ligand bond rupture. The reduced ligated-metal intermediate is converted by the metal-ligand bond rupture into chemical components of the ligated-metal. Ligated-metals that are suitable for processing by the method of the invention include, for example: uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6); sodium chloride (NaCl); and metal halides, such as iron trichloride (FeCl.sub.3). Chemical components that can be recovered from the ligated-metal include, for example, metals and gases derived from the ligand component of the ligated-metals.
A device for use in a molten metal pump helps alleviate jams between a rotating rotor and stationary inlet. The device includes an inlet structure including one or more openings and a displacement structure that preferably includes one or more rotor blades. The inlet structure and displacement structure are connected to one another (preferably, but not necessarily, as a unitary piece), thus enabling them both to rotate. A pump including the device is also enclosed. The invention further includes a bearing surface for an impeller or for a device according to the invention, wherein the bearing surface includes grooves that help reduce molten metal build up between the bearing surface of the impeller or device and the bearing surface of a pump chamber.
Disclosed are components covered with a protective coating for use in a molten metal bath (or comparable environment) and devices including such components. The protective coating is preferably a ceramic sleeve adhered to a non-coated component by cement. A component with the protective coating is more resistant to degradation in molten metal than is the component without the coating, and may be manufactured by the process of (a) placing the protective coating over the non-coated component, and (b) injecting cement into the space between the non-coated component and protective coating, wherein at least some of the cement is injected through a passage in either the non-coated component or the protective coating.
Improved components for a molten metal pump include a coupling for connecting a rotor shaft to a motor shaft, a rotor shaft and a rotor. The rotor shaft has a first end and a second end wherein the first end optionally has a vertical keyway formed in the outer surface of the shaft. The second end optionally has flat, shallow threads. The coupling can be one-piece or multi-piece, includes a cavity for receiving the first end of the rotor shaft and, if the first end of the rotor shaft has a keyway, the coupling includes a projection in the cavity for being received at least partially in the keyway. The rotor includes a connective portion that connects to the second end of the rotor shaft. If the second end of the rotor shaft includes flat, shallow threads, the connective portion is essentially a bore having flat, shallow threads configured to receive the second end of the rotor shaft. Optionally, the first end of the rotor shaft may have flat, shallow threads in which case the coupling would have a cavity that receives the first end of the rotor shaft, wherein the cavity has flat, shallow threads.
