摘要 |
Disclosed is a method of reoxidizing a partially oxidizable metal or metal oxide powder. The powder is spread on a first sloped trough to form a layer of less than about a half inch in thickness. The layer of powder slides down the trough and falls onto a second trough sloped in the opposite direction, thereby inverting the powder on the second trough. While the powder is on the troughs, it is exposed to an amount of oxygen sufficient to partially oxidize the powder but insufficient to completely oxidize the powder. Also disclosed is apparatus useful for partially reoxidizing a partially oxidizable powder. The apparatus consists of a first enclosed trough sloped in one direction having a powder entrance and a powder exit, a second enclosed trough sloped in the opposite direction having a powder entrance positioned to accept powder from the powder exit of the first trough, the first and second troughs forming a sealed unit, means for emitting a gas into the troughs, means for cooling the powder, and means for vibrating the troughs.
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