A sublimation/distillation apparatus including a crucible with an open end, a heating device thermally coupled to the crucible, an actively cooled collection substrate disposed above the open end of the crucible, and a vacuum chamber housing the crucible, the heating device, and the actively cooled collection substrate.

A sublimation/distillation apparatus including a crucible with an open end, a heating device thermally coupled to the crucible, an actively cooled collection substrate disposed above the open end of the crucible, and a vacuum chamber housing the crucible, the heating device, and the actively cooled collection substrate.

Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.

Provided is a method for preparing high-purity indium (In). The method for preparing the high-purity In includes: distilling refined In to obtain an In vapor-containing gas; and condensing the In vapor-containing gas to obtain the high-purity In; where the distilling is conducted at a temperature of 1,000 C. to 1,100 C. under a vacuum degree of 1.010.sup.3 Pa to 5.010.sup.2 Pa; and the condensing is conducted at a temperature of 700 C. to 900 C. under a vacuum degree of 1.010.sup.3 Pa to 5.010.sup.2 Pa. The In vapor-containing gas is obtained by controlling the temperature and vacuum degree of the distilling to evaporate In and impurities with a vapor pressure higher than the In. The temperature and vacuum degree of the condensing are adjusted to condense the In in the In vapor-containing gas.

A high-purity calcium and method of producing same are provided. The method includes performing first sublimation purification by introducing calcium starting material having a purity, excluding gas components, of 4N or less into a crucible of a sublimation vessel, subjecting the starting material to sublimation by heating at 750 C. to 800 C., and causing the product to deposit or evaporate onto the inside walls of the sublimation vessel; and then, once the calcium that has been subjected to first sublimation purification is recovered, performing second sublimation purification by introducing the recovered calcium again to the crucible to the sublimation vessel, heating the recovered calcium at 750 C. to 800 C., and causing the product to similarly deposit or evaporate on the inside walls of the sublimation vessel thereby recovering calcium having a purity of 4N5 or higher.

A high-purity calcium and method of producing same are provided. The method includes performing first sublimation purification by introducing calcium starting material having a purity, excluding gas components, of 4N or less into a crucible of a sublimation vessel, subjecting the starting material to sublimation by heating at 750 C. to 800 C., and causing the product to deposit or evaporate onto the inside walls of the sublimation vessel; and then, once the calcium that has been subjected to first sublimation purification is recovered, performing second sublimation purification by introducing the recovered calcium again to the crucible to the sublimation vessel, heating the recovered calcium at 750 C. to 800 C., and causing the product to similarly deposit or evaporate on the inside walls of the sublimation vessel thereby recovering calcium having a purity of 4N5 or higher.

A vacuum refining furnace, including a furnace body, a graphite heater, an electrode, and a sealed furnace housing. The furnace body includes an evaporation laminate, a graphite condensing casing, and a graphite insulating casing. The evaporation laminate includes a plurality of evaporators. The evaporation laminate is nested within the graphite insulating casing, and the graphite insulating casing includes a plurality of through holes. At least two graphite condensing casings having different diameters are provided. The graphite insulating casing is nested within the graphite condensing casing having a smallest diameter, and the graphite condensing casing having a relatively small diameter is nested within the graphite condensing casing having a relatively large diameter. All the graphite condensing casings except for the graphite condensing casing having the largest diameter include a plurality of through holes.

A vacuum refining furnace, including a furnace body, a graphite heater, an electrode, and a sealed furnace housing. The furnace body includes an evaporation laminate, a graphite condensing casing, and a graphite insulating casing. The evaporation laminate includes a plurality of evaporators. The evaporation laminate is nested within the graphite insulating casing, and the graphite insulating casing includes a plurality of through holes. At least two graphite condensing casings having different diameters are provided. The graphite insulating casing is nested within the graphite condensing casing having a smallest diameter, and the graphite condensing casing having a relatively small diameter is nested within the graphite condensing casing having a relatively large diameter. All the graphite condensing casings except for the graphite condensing casing having the largest diameter include a plurality of through holes.

An apparatus for purifying sodium metal including: a top flange, a transparent slice, a hollow flange, a vacuum distillation kettle, gaskets, and bolts. With this apparatus, solid sodium is liquefied by heating. The volatile impurities contained in the liquid sodium metal evaporate out of the vacuum pump. After heating the liquid sodium to a high temperature, circulating cooling water is added to the condenser tube by radiation-auxiliary distillation. High-purity argon is then added to remove volatile impurities, and thermal radiation is performed to accelerate the evaporation rate at the surface of the liquid sodium. Consequently, gaseous sodium rapidly condenses on the condenser tube and becomes solid sodium.

An apparatus for purifying sodium metal including: a top flange, a transparent slice, a hollow flange, a vacuum distillation kettle, gaskets, and bolts. With this apparatus, solid sodium is liquefied by heating. The volatile impurities contained in the liquid sodium metal evaporate out of the vacuum pump. After heating the liquid sodium to a high temperature, circulating cooling water is added to the condenser tube by radiation-auxiliary distillation. High-purity argon is then added to remove volatile impurities, and thermal radiation is performed to accelerate the evaporation rate at the surface of the liquid sodium. Consequently, gaseous sodium rapidly condenses on the condenser tube and becomes solid sodium.