Liquid Lithium Delivery Module for Pure, Stable Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal's high reactivity poses challenges in obtaining pure liquid lithium due to the formation of a 'skin' that clogs delivery systems and results in impurities, temperature instability, and inaccurate flow control in existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A liquid lithium delivery system utilizing an electromagnetic pump, flow control valves, and a filter assembly to manage flow and purity, with a temperature control module and inert gas handling to maintain lithium purity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lithium delivery methods are used, then lithium can be delivered to the processing chamber, but the lithium reacts with atmospheric contaminants forming a skin that clogs the delivery system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by enclosing the lithium delivery system in a vacuum chamber or filling it with inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) to prevent lithium from reacting with atmospheric contaminants. This eliminates the skin formation problem by removing oxygen and moisture from the environment, allowing reliable lithium delivery without clogging.
2Ease of operation
If liquid lithium is heated to maintain liquid state, then flowability is improved, but temperature instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature feedback control by using temperature sensors to monitor the lithium temperature and adjusting the heating power accordingly. When lithium approaches its melting point or desired temperature range, the heating is reduced or stopped, preventing overheating and maintaining stable temperature for consistent flowability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the temperature parameter within a specific range above lithium's melting point (180.5°C) to maintain liquid state while ensuring stability. By precisely controlling temperature parameters and avoiding excessive heating, the system achieves both flowability and temperature stability.
3Measurement precision
If flow control restrictions are added to control lithium flow, then flow precision is improved, but the skin forms more easily and clogs the restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent protects flow control restrictions by placing them within the inert atmosphere environment, preventing lithium from reacting with atmospheric contaminants at these critical points. This eliminates skin formation at flow restrictions while maintaining precise flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical flow control mechanisms that create restrictions with electromagnetic pumping technology. This substitution eliminates physical flow restrictions where skin could form, while still providing precise flow control through electromagnetic field manipulation of the liquid lithium.
4Ease of operation
If solid lithium is melted to form liquid lithium, then delivery is enabled, but impurities are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary purification by filtering the liquid lithium through filters before delivery to remove impurities generated during melting. This preliminary cleaning action ensures high purity lithium is delivered to the processing chamber, maintaining both deliverability and purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts impurities from the liquid lithium by using filtration systems that separate and remove contaminant particles generated during the melting process. This extraction of harmful substances maintains lithium purity while enabling liquid state delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the delivery of high-purity liquid lithium with improved flow control and temperature stability, allowing for the use of small flow orifices and nozzles in coating applications, addressing the limitations of previous solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The pumping region comprises an electromagnetic pump operable to move the liquid lithium using electromagnetism
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for the production and delivery of lithium metal of high purity are provided herein. In one or more embodiments, method for flowing liquid lithium to a processing chamber is provided and includes flowing liquid lithium from a lithium refill container to a liquid lithium delivery module, where the liquid lithium delivery module is fluidly coupled to the lithium refill container, and flowing the liquid lithium from the liquid lithium delivery module to the processing chamber. The liquid lithium delivery module contains a lithium storage region operable to store liquid lithium and containing a fluid supply line fluidly coupling an outlet port of a liquid lithium storage tank, and a flow meter positioned downstream from the lithium storage region along the fluid supply line and operable to monitor the flow of the liquid lithium through the fluid supply line.