JP2656550B2 - Superconductor fine particle purification equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to superconductors having different critical temperatures, critical magnetic fields, etc.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for classifying and purifying only desired superconductor fine particles from a mixture of fine particles having different particle diameters, such as a normal conductor and an insulator.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, it has been found that by sintering a ceramic material with a certain composition, a sintered body exhibiting superconductivity at 77 K or higher, and in some cases near room temperature, can be obtained. However, the crystal structures and phase diagrams of these superconductors have not been sufficiently elucidated yet, and in most cases, crystal phases that do not exhibit superconductivity coexist.

However, when a crystal phase that does not exhibit superconductivity coexists,
It is extremely difficult to separate them from the superconducting crystalline phase. Furthermore, by controlling the heat treatment conditions,
There is no established technology for producing only the superconducting crystal phase. In recent ceramic superconductors, a plurality of superconductor crystal phases having different critical temperatures or critical magnetic fields often coexist, and among them, a superconductor having a desired critical temperature range or critical magnetic field range is selected. A method of separating only the crystal phase has not been known.

Furthermore, a sintered body having superconductivity is usually an aggregate of microcrystals, and its superconducting properties are greatly affected by the state of crystal grain boundaries. It is necessary to align the crystal grain boundaries.

Therefore, it has been proposed to obtain superconducting sintered bodies having uniform crystal grain boundaries by resintering superconducting fine particles having uniform particle diameters. No suitable method has been found, and a general method for classifying particles as described in the Powder Engineering Handbook (edited by Koichi Iitani, Asakura Shoten) can be applied besides applying superconducting particles. Did not.

Conventional methods for classifying particles include the so-called sieving method, in which nets with different apertures are sequentially stacked and sorted from the larger eye diameter, or the classification using the terminal sedimentation velocity of particles that settle in a fluid. A so-called sedimentation method is known.

However, for example, in the sieving method, several μm
Since a sieve opening of m or less cannot be manufactured, classification of an extremely small particle size cannot be performed. Furthermore, in order to pass through the sieve, pressure is often applied to the fine particles, in which case, as a means of more accurate classification, there arises a problem that classification in a vacuum cannot be performed, and the like. Moreover, in the sedimentation method, since the sedimentation speed depends not only on the particle diameter but also on the specific gravity thereof, it is impossible to carry out strict classification. In addition, when the liquid phase sedimentation method is used, it takes time and effort to separate the liquid and the fine particles, and the sedimentation speed is generally slow, so that the classification takes time. Of course, it has a problem that it cannot be performed in a vacuum.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for refining superconductor fine particles that can separate and purify only superconductor fine particles from powder to be purified containing superconductor fine particles.

Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to classify only superconductor fine particles having desired properties from among the powder to be purified in which a plurality of superconductor fine particles having different properties such as particle diameter and critical temperature and critical magnetic field coexist, An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for refining superconductor fine particles that can be purified.

[Means for solving the problem]

 The above object is achieved by the present invention described below.

That is, the present invention provides a means for forming a flow of a powder containing superconductor fine particles, a means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder, a means for forming the flow of the powder, and A superconductor fine particle comprising: a control unit for synchronizing the application of the magnetic field with the flow of the powder by electrically controlling a unit for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder. A purification device, a means for horizontally discharging a powder containing superconductor fine particles to form a flow of the powder, a means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder, The means for forming a flow and the means for applying a magnetic field to the powder flow are provided at different horizontal distances from the means for forming the powder flow. Having partition means having a plurality of slits. An apparatus for refining superconductor fine particles, a means for forming a flow of powder containing superconductor fine particles, and a flow of the powder by forming a plurality of magnetic fields having different intensities along the flow of the powder. The means for applying the magnetic field to, the means for forming the flow of the powder and the means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder by electrically controlling the Control means for synchronizing the application of the magnetic field with the flow, a superconductor fine particle refining apparatus, and means for floating the powder containing the superconductor fine particles to form a flow of the powder And a partitioning means having a plurality of slits provided at different heights from the means for forming the flow of the powder, and applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder provided at a position opposed to the slit. Means for flowing the powder Control means for synchronizing the application of the magnetic field with the flow of the powder by electrically controlling the means for forming and the means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder. An apparatus for purifying superconducting fine particles, means for dropping powder containing superconducting fine particles to form a flow of the powder, and in a falling path of the powder, and a part thereof. A superconductor fine particle comprising: a partitioning means having a slit; and a means for alternately applying a magnetic field having a gradient in two opposite directions in a plane orthogonal to the falling direction of the powder at a specific cycle. Purification device.

The present invention is based on utilizing the Meissner effect, which is a magnetic property unique to a superconductor.

The Meissner effect is an effect that when a magnetic field is applied to a superconducting particle at a temperature at which the superconducting particle exhibits superconductivity, the particle exhibits perfect diamagnetism. That is, under the above temperature, when a magnetic field is applied to the powder containing the superconductor fine particles by a magnet, the particle size is about 0.01 μm.
With respect to the above, a repulsive force against the magnet is generated by the Meissner effect. On the other hand, particles having a smaller particle size and fine particles such as a normal conductor and an insulator do not generate a Meissner effect, so that no repulsive force is generated.

By utilizing this principle, first, only superconductor fine particles can be accurately separated and purified from powder mixed with a normal conductor or an insulator.

For example, a flow of a powder to be purified containing a normal conductor or an insulator is formed, and at a temperature at which the superconductor fine particles in the powder to be purified show the superconductivity, the superconductivity is increased. An effective magnetic field is applied to the powder to be purified, and the resulting repulsive force due to the Meissner effect separates the flow of superconducting fine particles from the fine powder and the flow of other fine particles. By doing so, it can be purified.

In addition, the trajectory of the flow of the superconductor fine particles that changes due to the Meissner effect depends on the ratio of the superconductor contained in the fine particles. This is because the force for moving the superconductor fine particles is generated by the Meissner effect, that is, the repulsive force when the applied magnetic flux is expelled from the inside of the particle to the outside of the particle. That is, when the abundance ratio of the superconductor is small, that is, the purity is low even if the particle size is the same, the repulsive force is reduced, and as a result, the change in the locus of the powder flow is reduced.

For example, when a magnetic field having a distribution in which the magnetic flux density decreases from bottom to top is applied, particles having a small superconducting ratio have a small Meissner effect, resulting in a small flying height. Conversely, particles with a large superconductor abundance rise high. The flying height is determined by the balance between the weight of the particles and the magnitude of the Meissner effect.

By selectively collecting a certain height of the superconductor fine particles thus floated, only the superconductor fine particles having a desired purity, that is, an abundance ratio of the superconductor, having a desired value can be obtained.

Here, in the apparatus of the present invention, any means may be used to form the flow of the powder, for example, means for directly blowing a carrier gas onto the powder, , Liquid nitrogen or the like, which naturally falls in a fluid.

As the carrier gas used in the apparatus of the present invention, for example, He gas and the like can be mentioned. Further, a gas that does not liquefy even at a temperature sufficiently lower than the critical temperature of the superconductor is preferable.

The means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder is, for example, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the shape of the magnet is such that the superconductor fine particles can apply a magnetic field that deflects the flight start. Any shape may be used. Therefore,
For example, a plate-shaped, column-shaped, concave-shaped magnet, or a plurality of such magnets may be provided. When the flow of the powder is formed by natural fall, the shape and arrangement position of a magnet capable of applying a magnetic field that deflects the fall trajectory may be used.

If you want to obtain the desired particle size or particle size distribution,
Various classification means can be used in combination depending on the range of the desired particle size.
m or more of superconductor fine particles, it is possible to obtain an effective Meissner effect for purification, so that the superconductor particle size, which was difficult with the conventional classification method, is about 0.01 μm or more fine particles and fine particles of smaller particle size. Classification is easy.

In addition, it is also possible to perform classification of other desired particle size. In other words, if powders having the same specific gravity are used in the apparatus of the present invention, for example, the difference in the flying distance of the powder due to the carrier gas, or the difference in the floating height, and the difference in the terminal speed due to the natural fall, the particle size Therefore, by collecting them site-selectively, it becomes possible to classify superconductor fine particles having a desired particle size range among superconductor fine particles having a particle size of 0.01 μm or more.

The superconductor fine particles having the same weight but different specific gravities are:
Since the sedimentation speeds are different, sedimentation in the liquid enables separation according to the specific gravity.

In addition, in the apparatus of the present invention, as described above, in order to classify the powder with higher accuracy, a partitioning unit having one or a plurality of slits must be provided in the same apparatus. Is preferred.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention has a critical temperature (superconducting transition temperature).
Alternatively, superconducting particles having a desired critical temperature range or critical magnetic field range can be obtained from a powder in which a plurality of superconducting particles having different critical magnetic fields (superconducting transition magnetic fields) coexist.

For example, in the above-described refining apparatus, when it is desired to obtain superconductor fine particles having a desired critical temperature range, a powder storage,
The above-described purification apparatus may be operated while appropriately selecting the temperatures of the carrier gas, the powder flow path, and the like according to a desired critical temperature range.

In addition, for example, when it is desired to obtain superconductor fine particles having a desired critical magnetic field range, the above-described purification apparatus may be operated while appropriately selecting a magnetic field to be applied to the powder to be purified according to the desired critical magnetic field range.

Further, as described above, the apparatus of the present invention is capable of not only purifying and classifying the superconductor fine particles but also obtaining a powder having a desired specific gravity.

That is, when the particle diameters of the powders are uniform, the flying distance of the powder due to the carrier gas, or the difference in the floating height, the difference in the terminal speed due to natural fall, and the flow direction of the superconductor fine particles due to the application of a magnetic field. Since the degree of change depends on the specific gravity, it is possible to separate only superconductor fine particles having a desired specific gravity by collecting them site-selectively.

Hereinafter, the above-described superconducting fine particle purification apparatus of the present invention,
A description will be given of some preferred embodiments.

First, a first aspect of the apparatus of the present invention comprises a means for injecting powder containing superconductor fine particles in a horizontal direction to form a flow of powder, and one or a plurality of means at a position at a specific distance from the ejection port. It is characterized by having partition means provided with a plurality of slits and provided horizontally, and means provided below the slits for applying a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the flow of the powder.

According to this aspect, when the superconducting fine particles contained therein are discharged horizontally from a nozzle or the like together with the carrier gas, the powder to be purified, which is maintained at a temperature capable of sufficiently exhibiting the superconductivity, The large and heavy powder particles in the refined powder begin to fall at a position close to the nozzle, and the small and light powder particles start to fall at a position far from the nozzle. The groups form a horizontal particle size distribution. They can be classified by selectively separating them at a suitable distance from the nozzle by horizontally provided partitioning means having one or more slits. Note that various conditions such as the type of the carrier gas, the flow rate, the flow rate, and the slit width of the slit may be appropriately selected according to a desired particle size range.

Further, at the above-mentioned temperature, the particles are of a size and shape sufficient for refining, and are vertically or slightly tilted than perpendicular (an angle range that does not allow the powder to be purified to accumulate on the plate-like magnet is preferable). In, by the plate-shaped magnet provided below the slit, passed through the slit is classified as described above,
The above-mentioned magnetic field is applied to the powder to be refined which has fallen in the vicinity of the plate-shaped magnet at the above-mentioned temperature, and the falling trajectory of the superconductor fine particles in the powder to be refined is changed. The superconducting particles are collected by the collecting means provided at the falling position of the superconducting fine particles and the collecting position provided at the falling position of the other fine particles, and the superconducting fine particles alone can be separated. It is possible.

In the above device, the magnetic field applying means is a permanent magnet,
Any one of the electromagnets may be used, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited. For example, the above-mentioned one plate-shaped magnet is composed of a plurality of electromagnets, and a specific shape is sequentially set in the powder falling direction. In the case of a means for applying a magnetic field that repeats on-off in the cycle of the above, the falling trajectory of the superconductor fine particles can be changed efficiently, which is advantageous in shortening the purification step and the like. Further, in order to further shorten the refining process, a plate of a non-magnetic material is provided on the surface of the magnet, and the plate is vibrated, so that the flow of the powder can be made smooth.

Next, a second aspect of the device of the present invention comprises means for floating powder containing superconductor fine particles in a carrier gas flow path, and a direction perpendicular to the flow of the carrier gas formed by the means. A means for applying a magnetic field such as moving the superconductor fine particles, and one or more slits at a position opposed to the magnetic field applying means, and a vertically provided partitioning means. Features.

According to this aspect, the powder containing the superconducting fine particles is levitated with the carrier gas by the levitating means.If the particle diameters of the powders are uniform, the powder having a small specific gravity floats high, and the specific gravity of the powder is low. Large powders only float up to low positions. Therefore, a magnetic field is applied to the floating powder, and only the superconducting fine particles are selected from the powder by a repulsive force due to the Meissner effect through a partition plate provided with one or a plurality of slits according to the height. It is possible to selectively separate the carrier gas from the outside of the carrier gas flow, collect by a collecting means provided outside the carrier gas flow, and simultaneously perform purification and separation.

Here, the floating means may be any means as long as the powder can be floated by the carrier gas, for example, a means for directly blowing the carrier gas onto the powder, a method in which the powder is placed in a vibrating container. Means for introducing a carrier gas into the container with the body inserted, means for dropping powder from the container and spraying the carrier gas onto the falling powder, or means for suctioning from the direction of the means for applying a magnetic field, etc. Can be mentioned.

Further, the magnetic field applying means may be either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet in the present embodiment, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited. For example, the magnetic field applying means is formed of an electromagnet and is synchronized with the powder floating means. In the case of a magnetic field applying means that repeats on-off at a specific cycle, more accurate classification is possible.

In this case, for example, it is electrically controlled by a control system as shown in FIG. 28, and the period of each unit is set. 101 is a control computer, 102 is a shutter for opening and closing a carrier gas injection port for blowing up powder (position A shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 of an embodiment apparatus to be described later), and 103 is predetermined floating particles. Among these, a shutter attached to an intake port for taking in superconductor fine particles removed from a flow path of a carrier gas by a repulsive force due to the Meissner effect (Example apparatus to be described later in FIG. 14 and FIG. Position), 104 is a power supply for the electromagnet, and 105 is an electromagnet (M position illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the embodiment apparatus to be described later), which generates a magnetic field required for refining superconductor fine particles by the Meissner effect.

The above shutter and magnet are driven synchronously as shown in FIG. The horizontal axis is time, the vertical axis is shutters 102 and 103
The operation of (1) indicates a drive pulse, and the magnet 105 indicates a current supplied. The shutters 102 and 103 are “open” at the rise of the pulse and “closed” at the fall.

First, the shutter 102 is opened and the powder particles float on the carrier gas flow path together with the carrier gas.
Over time t _1, at which definite the floating position for each particle size, the magnet shutter 13 is "open" and at the same time is "on". Thereafter, the superconductor fine particles during the time t ₂ is eliminated through the inlet from the carrier gas flow path.
Thereafter, the shutters 102 and 103 are “closed” and the magnet is “off”. After the non-superconductor powder time t ₃ remained in the carrier gas flow path passes is dropped, the shutter 102 is repeated with "open" and the above operation again.

Further, when a non-superconductor collecting means is provided (exemplified in FIG. 15 of an embodiment apparatus to be described later), a shutter 106 (position C in FIG. 15) for opening and closing the entrance thereof is provided. The block diagram and time chart of the control system in that case are shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. The operation is the same as described above.

106 is a shutter (position C in FIG. 15), and shutter 102
Is open, shutter 106 is closed, shutter A
Is "closed", the shutter C operates to be "open".

In the above apparatus, various conditions such as the type of carrier gas, the flow rate, the flow rate, and the slit width of the slit may be appropriately selected depending on the desired particle size range.

Further, a third aspect of the apparatus of the present invention comprises a container filled with a fluid such as helium gas or liquid nitrogen, a means for dropping a powder containing superconductor fine particles in the container, Means for maintaining the temperature below the superconducting transition temperature of the desired superconductor, one or more horizontal partitioning means having a slit in a part of the falling path of the powder, and a falling direction of the powder. Means for alternately applying a magnetic field having gradients in two opposite directions in a plane perpendicular to the plane at an appropriate cycle, and by appropriately arranging, opening and closing, or moving the slit, a specific sedimentation An apparatus for purifying and classifying superconducting fine particles, in which only superconducting fine particles having a desired particle size are selectively extracted by passing only superconducting fine particles having a speed through a slit.

According to this embodiment, the powder to be purified, which is kept at a temperature equal to or lower than the critical temperature Tc, is dropped in a fluid such as helium gas or liquid nitrogen, and in a region where the fine powder having a desired particle diameter reaches the terminal sedimentation velocity. , Magnetic fields with gradients in opposite directions alternately
With an appropriate period, so as to be applied to the fine powder that is sinking the region, as a result, due to the repulsive force due to the Meissner effect, only the fine powder in the superconducting state, so as to draw a zigzag sedimentation trajectory, And an appropriate number of partition plates are arranged in the above-mentioned region, and a slit for passing fine powder is provided in a part of the partition plate, and the slits are appropriately arranged, or the slits are formed at an appropriate period. Purification and classification can be performed simultaneously by opening and closing or by moving a slit so that only the superconducting fine powder having a specific sedimentation velocity passes.

In the above device, the magnetic field applying means may be either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the shape is not particularly limited.

Opening and closing of these nozzles and slit shutters,
The on / off operation of the electromagnet is electrically controlled as follows, for example, to synchronize.

FIG. 32 shows a block diagram of the control system (in the illustrated example, the apparatus shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 described later is assumed). 107 is a control computer, 108 is a shutter for opening and closing the nozzle (N position in FIG. 17), 109 is a power supply for the electromagnet, 110 is the first electromagnet for applying a magnetic field (M ₁ position in FIG. 17), and 111 is the second a magnetic field applying magnet (FIG. 17 M ₂ position). Further, when there are two paths for dropping the powder (the eighteenth illustrated example), a shutter 112 for opening and closing the slits (S ₁ , S ′ ₁ , S ″ ₁ ... Position) belonging to the first path. For opening and closing the slits (S ₂ , S ′ ₂ ... Position) belonging to the second path
113 is added.

The shutter and the electromagnet are driven according to, for example, a time chart as shown in FIG. 33 to synchronize the whole. The horizontal axis is time. Each shutter indicates a drive pulse, which is "open" at the rise of the pulse and "closed" at the fall. For the electromagnet, the current flowing is shown.

Shutter, the period T ₀ of the driving of the electromagnet is in the interval l and the following relationship terminal settling velocity v ₅ and the partition plate of the desired superconducting fine particles.

However, this relationship is accurately established when the falling trajectory of the superconducting fine particles does not significantly deviate from the straight line, and actually requires some empirical correction.

Opening and closing of the shutter of the nozzle, the deviation T _d in the timing of driving the other part, from being released to be purified powder from the nozzle, integers T ₀ time or from the time to reach the area to be subjected to the purification The remaining time after doubling,
It is empirically determined so that the amount of superconducting fine particles collected after purification is maximized.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the powder passage and the flow passage provided with a means for smoothing the flow of the powder by vibrating the wall material using a non-magnetic material as a wall material. It is characterized by having means for forming a flow of a powder containing superconductor fine particles, and means for applying a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the flow of the powder.

According to this aspect, as the magnetic field applying means, for example, a magnet having a low applied magnetic field strength is installed in multiple stages in the middle of the vibration passage in order from a strong magnet. Then, a weak magnetic field is applied to the powder containing superconductor fine particles flowing in the passage by a magnet having a weak applied magnetic field with respect to the powder flow. The superconductor fine particles having a large particle diameter in the powder flow largely deflect the flight trajectory. However, the superconductor fine particles having a small particle diameter have no or little deflection of their trajectory. This is because, when the magnetic field penetration depth is the same, superconductor fine particles having a larger particle diameter have a larger repulsive force due to the Meissner effect. The superconducting fine particles that have not been deflected or are slightly deflected at that time can be deflected and refined by an applied magnetic field by a strong magnet provided at the rear part of the passage.

By deflecting the superconducting fine particles having a small particle size and light weight in this manner, it is possible to classify and refine the superconducting fine particles having a desired particle size range among the superconducting fine particles having a particle size of 0.2 μm or less.

In the above-mentioned apparatus, the powder flow forming means may be any means as long as it can form a flow of the powder in the vibration passage. For example, a means for directly blowing a carrier gas onto the powder, Means for dropping the powder by gravity by vertically or inclining the vibration path. When the powder is dropped by gravity, an appropriate fluid may be filled in the vibration passage, and the powder may be settled in the liquid.

The path of the powder is not particularly limited as long as the wall material is made of a non-magnetic material capable of vibrating. Examples of the non-magnetic material include glass, ceramics, and Al. Various shapes such as a pipe shape, a V-shape having a hollow inside, a box shape, and a flat plate shape are possible. Also, the powder passage is not necessarily a closed passage, but in terms of performing precise refining and classification without being affected by external wind, air flow, or the like,
Preferably it is a closed passage. Further, for example, it is preferable to provide a collecting duct on both sides and have a V-shaped flat plate shape with a hollow inside, and a vibrating passage or the like arranged at an angle of inclination of 60 ° to 70 °. It can be mentioned as an embodiment.

By connecting the vibration generating means to such a passage, the vibration passage of the apparatus of the present embodiment can be formed. Note that the vibration is not necessarily required for the entire passage, but it is sufficient that the passage at the portion where the magnetic field is applied by the magnetic field applying means can be vibrated.

The frequency of the vibration is not particularly limited, but generally 1 Hz
As is the vibration generating means about 20 kHz, mechanical means or a piezoelectric material using a motor and a cam (Z _n O, AlN,
Any device that can vibrate the passage, such as an ultrasonic oscillator using PZT or the like, may be used.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic vibration plate provided on the magnet surface is as in this embodiment.

〔The invention's effect〕

As explained above, if the device of the present invention is used,
The purification, classification and writing of superconductor fine particles having the desired purity, particle size and critical temperature and critical magnetic field range can be performed simultaneously and easily from the powder to be purified. It is simple and its progress can be visually observed. Further, the method can be carried out under a low pressure, and the above-mentioned steps are performed while forming the flow of the powder to be purified. Therefore, a large amount of powder can be purified at high speed and with high accuracy. Further, the apparatus of the present invention is very useful in increasing the purity of a superconducting sintered body containing impurities. In other words, according to the present invention, purification and classification can be performed in units of μm, so that the sintered body is very finely pulverized to the extent that the superconducting portion and the impurity portion do not coexist in one fine particle, It can be purified. As a result, a high-purity superconducting powder is obtained.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, superconductor fine particles having a uniform specific gravity can be obtained, so that a superconductor with less mixing of superconductors having different compositions can be obtained.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, specific examples will be given, and the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an example of the apparatus of the present invention. 9 is a superconductor fine particle having a relatively large particle size, 10 is a superconductor fine particle having a relatively small particle size of about 0.1 μm or less, 7 and 8 are non-superconductor fine particles having a relatively large particle size and a Relatively small non-superconductor fine particles. In this embodiment, the superconducting material to be classified and purified is YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _7-6 (0.1δ0.2). Y ₂ O
₃ , BaCO ₃ and CuO were mixed so that Y: Ba: Cu = 1: 2: 3, and this was heat-treated at 950 ° C. for 2 hours in the air. The X-ray diffraction pattern at this time is shown in FIG. In the figure, the target non-conductor
The peak of YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _7-δ is indicated by “S”. As apparent from this figure, this sample contains a non-superconductor.

After grinding in a mortar and measuring the sedimentation rate in toluene,
Although the sedimentation speed differs depending on the particle size, the same particle size settled at almost the same speed as a whole. Therefore, it is considered that the specific gravity of the superconductor is substantially the same as that of the superconductor which is the impurity.

First, a powder containing superconductor fine particles and a carrier gas (for example, He gas) having a critical temperature or lower are mixed to obtain a mixed powder 1. This is ejected from the window 2. The jet speed at this time is
It is selected according to the specific gravity of the powder and the desired particle size range. The positions of the slits 11a and 11b of the partition plate 3 are movable, and the slit width is selected according to a desired particle size range. Fine particles having a large particle diameter are scattered by the carrier gas near the window 2 and small particles are distant by the carrier gas. The powder having a uniform particle size falls by gravity after passing through the slit. At this time, the superconducting fine particles 9 having a relatively large particle size are separated from the magnet surface by the plate-shaped permanent magnet 5a and fall over the partition plate 4a. I do. However, the normal conductor and the insulator, that is, the non-superconductor fine particles 7 do not exhibit the Meissner effect, and therefore do not exceed the partition plate 4a. The superconductor fine particles exceeding the partition plate 4a are collected by the collection container 6a. Similarly, the superconducting fine particles 10 having a relatively small particle size are separated from the non-superconducting fine particles 8 by the permanent magnet 5b and the partition plate 4b and collected in the collection container 6b.

The classification and purification conditions in this example are as follows.
In FIG. 1, mixed powder 1 is ejected from window 2 at a flow rate of about 200 ml / min using a carrier gas composed of He gas. The temperature of the He gas is cooled to 70K or less by a device (not shown). The interval between slits 11a is 3mm, slit 11b is 4mm
It is. The distance from window 2 to slit 11a is 50cm, window 2
The distance from to the slit 11b is 150 cm. Permanent magnets are all
It is cooled by Sm-Co to a temperature of 77K by a device (not shown). The partition plates 4a, 4b project 4 mm from the back surfaces of the magnets 5a, 5b.
Under the above operating conditions, a collecting container is prepared from raw material powder of about 5g.
About 2.5 g of superconductor could be collected in 6a and about 2 g of superconductor could be collected in the collection container 6b. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the powder in this collection container is
As shown in the figure, it was confirmed that all the diffraction peaks of the non-superconductor in FIG. 2 disappeared and the superconductor could be purified by this apparatus. In addition, by electron microscope, 10
Superconductors having a particle size of about 0 to 200 μmφ and a particle size of about 10 to 50 μmφ were collected in the container 6b, and the effect of classification was also confirmed.

Example 2 The particle size distribution of the powder containing the superconductor fine particles was large and about
When large particles of 100 μm or more are included, the window 2 in FIG.
Is made into a nozzle shape, and a powder flow is ejected from the nozzle-like window 2 so that the pressure difference of the carrier gas becomes one digit or more before and after passing through the nozzle-like window 2. This results in a particle size of 100 μm
Superconductor fine particles can be classified efficiently as in the case of Example 1 even in the case of a powder containing more than about one.

Example 3 YBa ₂ Cu ₃ Ox (x = 6.00 to 7.00), Bi ₂ (Sr, Ca) ₃ CaO
_In ceramics having a composition such as _12-x (x> 0), superconductor phases having different critical temperatures often coexist when sintered under the same conditions. In such a case, an apparatus having a function as shown in FIG. 4 is used.

In this figure, 7a is a non-superconductor fine particle having a relatively large particle size, 8a is a non-superconductor fine particle having a relatively small particle size, 9a, 9
b, 10a and 10b are superconducting fine particles, 9 has a higher critical temperature than 10, and a has a relatively large particle size and b has a relatively small particle size.

FIG. 5 shows the temperature dependence of the electric resistance of the superconductor used as the sample of the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, there is a crystal phase showing superconductivity at 107 K or less.

About 10 g of the raw material powder is pulverized in a mortar, and the He gas cooled to about 60K is used as a carrier gas and spouted from the window 2 having a diameter of 5 mm at a flow rate of about 300 ml / min. Upper (Sm-Co)
The magnets 5a and 5b are cooled to 50K by a cooler (not shown),
The Sm-Co magnets 5c and 5d are similarly cooled to 90K. The upper partition plates 4a, 4b project 4 mm from the magnet surface, and the lower partition plates 4c, 4b.
d protrudes to a height of 3 mm. As a result, one of the collection containers 6a has a particle size of about 100 to 400 μm and the other collection container 6b
Has a superconductor with a particle size of about 30 to 50 μm (critical temperature 107K)
However, 0.05 g and 0.08 g were collected, respectively. In addition, partition plate 4c, 4d
About 3g and 5g of superconductor with critical temperature of 80K were collected on the top. The width of each of the slits 11a and 11b is 5 mm, and the distance from the window 2 is 70 cm for the slit 11a, and
Is 200cm.

Embodiment 4 In Embodiments 1 to 3, the magnet and the lower partition plate, for example, the magnets 5a and 5b and the partition plates 4a and 4b in FIG.
The shape of b was flat. Edges are attached to both ends of the partition plates 4a and 4b as shown in FIG. 6, and in some cases, the partition plates can be continuously moved in a belt conveyor manner. This makes it possible to separate a large amount of powder.

Example 5 In Examples 1 to 4, when the particle size of the powder containing the superconductor fine particles was relatively uniform and there was no need to classify the particle size any more, no carrier gas was required, and the results are shown in FIG. As described above, the superconductor fine particles can be separated by dropping the powder on the magnet 5.

That is, the powder slides on the surface of the magnet 5 by dropping the powder from the container 12 containing the powder containing the superconductor fine particles and appropriately selecting the inclination of the magnet 5 from the vertical according to the particle size of the powder. Only the superconductor 9 that has fallen and separated from the magnet surface due to the Meissner effect is recovered in the collection container 6 beyond the partition plate.

Example 6 As shown in FIG. 8, powder was dropped from a container 12 containing powder containing the superconductor 9, and the apparent shape of the powder falling on the slide plate 13 was reduced to a thin plate shape. The carrier gas is blown through the introduction pipe 14. The superconductor fine particles can be classified in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the powder is transported in this manner.

Embodiment 7 In Embodiments 1 to 5, the means for applying a magnetic field is constituted by a plurality of electromagnets 5I, 5II, 5III,..., 5n as shown in FIG. Means (not shown), the electromagnet moves in the powder falling direction 5I → 5n
On and off at appropriate intervals.
→ 5II → 5III → ‥‥ → 5n → 5I). As a result, the purification step can be shortened, and a large amount of powder can be separated. The cycle of turning on and off the magnetic field may be selected according to the speed of the flow of the powder, and the strength of the magnetic field may be sequentially increased from 5I to 5n.

Embodiment 8 In Embodiments 1 to 5 and 7, as shown in FIG.
A vibrating plate 16 that is ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic oscillator (not shown) is provided on the surface of the device. As a result, the powder to be purified can be prevented from depositing on the magnet, the purification step can be made more efficient, and a large amount of powder can be separated.

Example 9 In the case where the particle size of the powder containing the superconductor fine particles is relatively uniform and there is no need to classify the particle size further, or in Example 1
By providing the collecting means shown in FIG. 11 after the same classification and purification as described above, the superconductor fine particles can be separated by the difference in specific gravity.

Reference numeral 19a denotes superconductor fine particles having a relatively heavy specific gravity, 19b denotes superconductor fine particles having a relatively low specific gravity, 7 denotes non-superconductor fine particles, and the particle diameters of the fine particles are substantially the same.

The collecting means of this embodiment is composed of passages 18a and 18b and superconducting collecting containers 6a and 6b, and the powder to be purified falls on the slope of the magnet 5, and the non-superconductive fine particles of the powder are removed. 7 is configured to slide down into the impurity container 17 while being in contact with the slope.

In addition, the superconducting fine particles 19b having a relatively low specific gravity are largely separated from the magnet 5 by the applied magnetic field, and the superconducting fine particles 19a having a relatively heavy specific gravity are not so separated, so that a flow distribution according to the specific gravity can be formed. Has become.

Further, each of the superconductor fine particles 19a, 19b in the distribution, through the passages 18a, 18b, the superconductor collection containers 6a, 6b
Can be collected by

The distance of the passages 18a, 18b from the magnet 5 in this device,
The optimum value of the inclination of the magnet 5 may be appropriately selected depending on the desired particle size and specific gravity.

Further, in order to carry out precise classification and separation of the particle diameter and the specific gravity, the width of the passages 18a and 18b may be narrowed and the number of passages may be increased.

Embodiment 10 When the interval between the slits is widened, for example, in FIG. 1, it is conceivable that the non-superconductor enters the collecting container beyond the partition plates 4a and 4b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, a powder wraparound prevention device 15 (for example, a baffle plate or the like)
The accuracy of classification / purification can be improved by providing.

Embodiment 11 The apparatus shown in FIG. 13 comprises a container 20, a partition 21, a partition plate 3, a nozzle 1, and a funnel 23. About 70K inside the container
And the lower half is filled with liquid nitrogen.
The upper half is filled with helium gas blown with the sample powder from the nozzle.

The sample powder blown out from the nozzle falls from the slits 11a, 11b, 11c of the partition plate 3 corresponding to the respective particle diameters, and enters the liquid nitrogen. Magnet 5 near the falling start of powder
The superconductor powder is provided with a, 5b, and 5c, the orbit of the superconductor powder is bent by the repulsive force due to the Meissner effect, and is collected in the trays 6a, 6b, and 6c. The non-superconductor falls straight down near the magnet and is separated from the superconductor.

In this embodiment, since the heat capacity of the liquid is much larger than that of the gas, the sample dropped into the liquid quickly becomes the same temperature as the liquid. For this reason, the feature is that the accuracy of the temperature at the time of purification is good.

In the above embodiments, permanent magnets were used, but
Even when a magnetic field is applied to the powder using an electromagnet, exactly the same effects can be obtained. Furthermore, although there are three slits provided in the partition plate 3, in order to precisely separate the particle diameter, the width of the slit may be reduced and the number of slits may be increased. There is no restriction on the width and number of slits. It is also possible to use a container that can be moved by a belt conveyor or the like instead of the slit, move the container in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper of FIG. 13, and then drop it on the magnet.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that even if there is a large difference between the specific gravity of the superconductor and the specific gravity of the non-superconductor, the particle size distribution of the superconductor fine particles collected in the collection container 6 is not affected at all.

Embodiment 12 FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 38a is a superconductor fine particle having a relatively large particle size, 38b is a superconductor fine particle having a particle size of about 0.1 μm or more but relatively small in particle size, and 37a and 37b are non-superconductor fine particles.

The levitation means of this embodiment is a powder container 31, a window 32 and a carrier gas ejector (not shown). The magnetic field applying means is a magnet
36.

In this apparatus, the powder to be purified in the powder container 31 is transferred from the powder container 31 to the vertical passage 33 by a carrier gas.
, Through the window 32. Of the powder that floated in the vertical passage 33, the fine particles 37a and 38a having a relatively large particle diameter float only to a low position, while the superconducting fine particles 37b and 38b having a relatively small particle diameter floated to a high position. I do. In this figure, the specific gravity of all superconductor fine particles and non-superconductor fine particles is assumed to be substantially constant. The ejection speed at this time may be selected depending on the specific gravity of the powder and the desired particle size range. The positions, widths, and numbers of the vertical passages 33 and the horizontal passages 34a and 34b may be selected according to desired specific gravity and particle size.

In addition, vertical passages 33 that rise to different heights depending on the particle size
When a magnetic field is applied to the powder inside by the magnet 36,
Due to the repulsive force generated by the Meissner effect, each superconductor fine particle 38a, 38b moves to each horizontal passage 34a, 34b,
It is configured to be collected in each of the superconductor collection containers 35a and 35b.

Also, non-superconductor fine particles that stay inside the vertical passage 33
37a and 37b are configured to drop into the powder container 31 by stopping or weakening the ejection of the carrier gas.

By using this apparatus, classification separation according to the particle size and / or specific gravity by floating a powder using a carrier gas and purification by applying a magnetic field to the powder are simultaneously and easily performed. be able to.

The flow rate of the carrier gas and the aforementioned drive timings t ₁ , t ₂ , and t ₃ shown in FIG. 29 are, for example, when the superconductor fine particles to be classified include fine particles of about _{1 to 3} μm, 300ml per minute, t ₁ is 20 seconds, t ₂ is 5 seconds, t ₃ is 1 minute.

Also, when the particle diameter is classified relatively large particles of about 10~30μm, the flow rate is 1 per minute, t ₁ is 20 seconds, t ₂ is 5
S, t ₃ is about 20 seconds is a typical value.

Example 13 FIG. 15 shows the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus provided with a door 39, an opening / closing door 40, and a window 32 arranged in a horizontal direction.

In this apparatus, when the non-superconductor fine particles 37, 38 remaining in the vertical passage 33 are dropped by stopping or weakening the ejection of the carrier gas, opening and closing the door 40 opens them. Since it is configured to fall into the impurity collection container 39, the non-superconductor fine particles 37, 38
Can be efficiently purified without returning to the inside of the powder container 31. Further, since the flow direction of the carrier gas containing the powder changes greatly, the distribution of the powder in the vertical passage 33 is likely to be uniform.

The flow rates of the carrier gas and the values of t ₁ , t ₂ , and t ₃ are shown in the examples.
Same as 12

Example 14 The particle size distribution of the powder containing the superconductor fine particles was large and about
When large particles of 100 μm or more are included, see FIGS.
The window 2 of the apparatus shown in the figure is formed in a nozzle shape, and a powder flow is ejected from the nozzle-shaped window 2 so that the pressure difference of the carrier gas becomes one digit or more before and after passing through the nozzle-shaped window 2. As a result, the superconducting fine particles can be efficiently classified even in the case of a powder containing a particle having a particle size of about 100 μm or more, as in the first embodiment.

Example 15 FIG. 16 shows a horizontal passage 34 of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
This is an apparatus in which ultrasonic vibration plates 41a and 41b are provided on the bottom surfaces of a and 34b, respectively. In this device, the superconductor fine particles moving from the vertical passage 33 to the horizontal passages 34a and 34b
Since there is no frictional resistance with the bottom surfaces of the a and 34b, the superconductor fine particles are efficiently transported to the collection containers 35a and 35b without stopping in the middle of the horizontal passages 34a and 34b.

Example 16 In the apparatus shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG.
36 is constituted by an electromagnet, and the means for controlling the application of a magnetic field (not shown) causes the electromagnet to be repeatedly turned on and off at a specific period in synchronization with the powder levitation means. That is, the magnetic field is applied after an appropriate time elapses from the ejection of the carrier gas until the particle size distribution of the powder formed in the vertical direction in the vertical passage 33 becomes a steady state, and further specifies this operation. Was controlled to be repeated in the cycle of

By using such an apparatus, the accuracy of classification of superconductor fine particles is further improved.

The powder containing superconductor fine particles (showing the same X-ray diffraction pattern as in FIG. 2) of about 5 g obtained by the same method as in Example 1 using the apparatus shown in FIG. In addition to the following carrier gas (He gas, 70K or less) flow,
This was ejected from the window 32 at a flow rate of about 200 ml / min. The width of the horizontal passage 34a was 4 mm, and the width of the horizontal passage 34b was 3 mm. The distance from the window 32 to the horizontal passage 34a was 5 cm, and the distance from the window 32b to the horizontal passage 34b was 10 cm.

Further, a permanent magnet (Sm-Co) was used as the magnet 36, and the inside of the apparatus was cooled to 77K by a cooling means (not shown).

When the method of the present invention was performed on about 5 g of the raw material powder as described above, about 2.5 g of superconductor fine particles could be collected in the collection container 5a, and about 1.3 g in the collection container 5b. Was collected.

The X-ray diffraction pattern of the superconductor particles in the collection containers 35a and 35b was similar to that shown in FIG. from this result,
According to the apparatus of the present invention, it was confirmed that the superconductor could be purified with high accuracy.

When the superconducting particles in the collection containers 35a and 35b were observed with an electron microscope, the particle size of the particles in the collection container 35a was about 100 to 200 μmφ, and the particle size of the particles in the collection container 35b. Was about 10 to 50 μmφ. from this result,
According to the apparatus of the present invention, it was confirmed that superconductors having a small particle size can be classified.

Embodiment 17 FIG. 17 is a sectional view for explaining the principle of another embodiment of the device of the present invention. In this figure, the helium gas tank 41 is filled with helium gas maintained at a temperature equal to or lower than Tc at an appropriate pressure. At the upper part of the helium gas tank 41, a powder tank 42 provided with a nozzle 43 at the lower end is disposed.
A fluid to be purified having the following temperature is retained. The nozzle 43 opens and closes in accordance with the on-off cycle of the magnet described later,
Drop the powder to be purified. Inside the helium gas tank 41, partition plates 44 arranged in a plurality of stages are arranged at intervals vertically, and a receiving tray 47 is arranged below the lower lower partition plate 44. Slits provided alternately on each partition plate 44
44a, 44b, 44c,... Are formed. On both outer sides of the helium gas tank 41, a first magnet 45 and a second magnet 46 are installed facing each other.

In FIG. 17, the powder to be purified in the powder tank 42 is dropped from a nozzle 43 which opens and closes in accordance with the on-off cycle of the first and second magnets 45, 46. When the powder falls to some extent in the helium gas tank 41, the speed reaches a terminal sedimentation speed determined by the particle size. Thereafter, the powder alternately approaches the partition plate 44 having slits. At this time, first
The magnet 45 is excited, and the superconducting fine powder receives a repulsive force due to the Meissner effect, and its falling trajectory is bent, and
Pass through the slit 44a. Naturally, powder that is not in a superconducting state cannot pass through the slit. Subsequently, after the first magnet 45 is demagnetized, the second magnet 46 is excited and the superconducting fine powder is bent to the opposite side and passes through the next slit 44b. At this time, by appropriately selecting the on-off cycle of both magnets 45 and 46 by means for controlling the application of the magnetic field (not shown), only the powder having a specific sedimentation velocity is successively slits 44a, 44b, You can pass through 44c, ... It should be noted that a powder in which the superconducting phase and the impurity phase are united while having the same sedimentation velocity has a smaller repulsive force due to the Meissner effect than the mass thereof, so that the lateral movement distance becomes smaller. For this reason, if the positions of the slits 44a, 44b, 44c,... Are appropriately selected, such powder can be removed.

In this way, the purified and classified superconducting fine powder is finally collected in the tray 47.

In this embodiment, the mechanical driving unit is only the nozzle 43 for dropping the powder, and the purpose can be achieved with a very simple structure.

The interval between the partition plates and the values of T ₀ and T _d shown in FIG. 33 are as follows:
For example, when obtaining superconducting fine particles having a particle size of 5 μm,
T ₀ is 4.5 seconds in the case of 5cm, T _d was 1.3 seconds.

Embodiment 18 FIG. 18 shows a modification of the partition plate 44 in the apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 17, in which two slits 44p, 44 provided in each partition plate 44 are provided.
A shutter 48 is provided in q. This shutter 4
By appropriately opening and closing 8, it is possible to pass both the powder passing through the settling path 49 and the powder passing through the other settling path 50. In FIG. 17, the magnets 45 and 46 are turned on.
Although the nozzle could be opened only once for one off cycle, according to this embodiment, the nozzle can be opened twice and the processing capacity is doubled.

The spacing between the partition plates and the values of T ₀ and T _d are the same as in Example 17.

Embodiment 19 FIG. 19 is a view similar to Embodiments 17 and 18, except that the barrier 44 having one opening 44a is formed in a disk shape and a permanent magnet 51 is attached instead of an electromagnet. Thus, the rotation is performed at an appropriate cycle. In this case, the powder can be continuously dropped, purified and classified.

Embodiment 20 The operation of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 17. The inside of the device is kept at about 70K, the upper half of which is helium gas,
The lower half is filled with liquid nitrogen. The sample placed in the powder tank 42 falls into the liquid nitrogen when the nozzle 43 is opened, and settles at a terminal sedimentation speed according to the particle diameter of each particle. By applying a magnetic field having gradients in opposite directions alternately to the particles during sedimentation at an appropriate period, only the superconductor fine particles having a desired particle size are formed in the slits 44a, 44b, After passing through 44c, it can be collected in the tray 47.

As compared with the case where only gas is used, the apparatus is characterized in that it is smaller in size and that it can be used for powder having a relatively large particle size.

Embodiment 21 FIG. 21 is a perspective view and a side view showing still another embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line BB. FIG.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the vibration path has a tilt angle of 60 ° or more.
A V-shaped frame 64 arranged at an angle to be 70 °,
And an ultrasonic oscillator 63 connected thereto. The magnetic field applying means is a magnet 65 installed in the middle of the frame 64.

 Next, an example of an operation procedure of the apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

First, a powder (particle diameter of about 0.1 μm or more) containing superconductor fine particles is transported from a powder storage (not shown) to a frame 64 via a transport pipe 61 by a feed pump 72.

Since the frame 64 is ultrasonically vibrated by the ultrasonic oscillator 63, the powder transported into the frame 64 hardly receives frictional resistance with the inner wall of the frame 64 as shown in FIG. Fall.

When the powder reaches the portion of the magnet 65 installed in the middle of the frame 64, a magnetic field is applied to the powder, and the
As shown in the figure, the falling trajectory of only the superconductor particles 67 is deflected, and is introduced into the duct 66 as shown in FIG.
Collected.

FIG. 24 shows superconductor fine particles 67 having a weight of mg.
Shows a state in which it is deflected by the gravitational acceleration of g · cos θ along the magnet 65 arranged at the inclination θ (g: gravitational acceleration). Note that this is a case where the frame 64 is set up vertically.

Since the impurity fine particles 71 other than the superconductor fine particles 67 do not deflect even when a magnetic field is applied, they fall into the impurity storage 70 as shown in FIG. 21 and are collected.

As described above, the superconductor fine particles can be purified using the apparatus of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, by using an electromagnet as the magnet 75 and controlling the intensity of the applied magnetic field according to the desired particle size, it is possible to classify superconductor fine particles having a desired particle size.

In addition, using this apparatus, under the following conditions, Y-Ba-
The superconductor was successfully purified from the pulverized powder of the Cu-O-based sintered body.

Frame size 100mm x 300mm, applied magnetic field 1500gauss, powder flow density 1cc / min, spacing between flat plates 3mm, liquid nitrogen temperature.

Embodiment 22 FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment in which a plurality of magnets are provided in Embodiment 21, and FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the vibration passage is a flat plate frame.
64 and an ultrasonic oscillator 63 connected thereto. Further, the magnetic field applying means is provided in the middle of the frame 64.
Three magnets 65a, 65b, 65c. The strengths of the applied magnetic fields of the three magnets are in the order of 65a <65b <65c.

 Next, an example of an operation procedure of the apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

First, in the same manner as in the apparatus of Example 21, powder containing superconductor fine particles (having a particle size of about 0.1 μm or more) is transferred to a transport pipe 61.
To the frame 64 via

Since the frame 64 is ultrasonically vibrated by the ultrasonic oscillator 63, the powder transported into the frame 64 falls with little frictional resistance with the inner wall of the frame 64.

When the powder reaches the portion of the magnet 65a installed in the middle of the frame 64, a weak magnetic field is applied to the powder, and only the falling trajectory of the superconductor fine particles 67a having a relatively large particle size is deflected and collected. You. Then, magnets 65b and 65c
Superconducting particles 67 with a particle size corresponding to the magnitude of the applied magnetic field
b and 67c are sequentially deflected and collected.

Incidentally, the fine particles 71 other than the superconductor fine particles 67a, 67b, 67c
Does not deflect even when a magnetic field is applied.
Fall to 70 and be collected.

As described above, the superconductor fine particles can be classified using the apparatus of the present embodiment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 7, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG.
FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG.
FIGS. 26 and 27 are schematic structural views of an embodiment of the apparatus for purifying superconductor fine particles according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing an X-ray diffraction pattern of the superconductor containing impurities. The figure shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the purified superconductor. FIG. 5 shows the temperature dependence of the electric resistance of the superconductor containing bismuth. FIG. 6 shows the magnet and the partition plate of the device of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the powder supply means of the device of the present invention, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the application means, FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the powder collecting means of the present invention device, and FIG. 18 is another example of the partition means of the present invention device. FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 are diagrams showing the state of deflection of the superconducting fine particles of the device of the present invention, FIG. 28, FIG. 30 and FIG. 32 are examples of the control system of the device of the present invention Block diagram, Figure 29, Figure 31 and FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a time chart of the control system of the present invention device. 5 Magnet 7,8 Non-superconducting fine particle 9.10 Superconducting fine particle 36 Magnet 37 Non-superconducting fine particle 38 Superconducting fine particle 65 Magnet 67 Superconducting fine particle 71 Non Superconductor fine particles

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Fumio Kishi, Inventor 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masayoshi Akaike 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Yasuko Motoi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Keisuke Yamamoto 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takehiko Kawasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Atsuko Tanaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) Reference Document JP-A-1-130745 (JP, A) JP-A-64-22359 (JP, A) JP-A-64-51306 (JP, A) JP-A-1-179704 (JP, A) -123643 (JP, A) Patent Rights 1-107858 (JP, A) JitsuHiraku flat 1-78134 (JP, U)

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] A means for forming a flow of a powder containing superconductor fine particles; a means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder; a means for forming a flow of the powder; A superconductor fine particle comprising: a control unit for synchronizing the application of the magnetic field with the flow of the powder by electrically controlling a unit for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder. Purification equipment. 2. A means for horizontally discharging a powder containing superconductor fine particles to form a flow of the powder, a means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder, And a means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder, and provided at different horizontal distances from the means for forming the flow of the powder. And a partitioning means having a plurality of slits. 3. A means for forming a flow of a powder containing superconductor fine particles, and forming a plurality of magnetic fields having different intensities along the flow of the powder, and applying the magnetic field to the flow of the powder. And means for applying a magnetic field to the powder flow by electrically controlling the means for forming the powder flow and the means for applying a magnetic field to the powder flow. An apparatus for purifying superconductor fine particles, comprising: a control unit for synchronizing the application. 4. A means for floating a powder containing superconductor fine particles to form a flow of the powder, and a plurality of means provided at different heights from the means for forming a flow of the powder. Partition means having a slit, means for applying a magnetic field to the flow of the powder, provided at a position facing the slit; means for forming the flow of the powder; and means for forming the flow of the powder. An apparatus for purifying superconductor fine particles, comprising: a control unit for synchronizing the application of the magnetic field with the flow of the powder by electrically controlling a unit for applying a magnetic field. 5. A means for dropping a powder containing superconductor fine particles to form a flow of the powder, and a partitioning means which is in a path of the powder and has a slit in a part thereof. Means for alternately applying a magnetic field having a gradient in two directions opposite to each other in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the powder falls, at a specific cycle. 6. The apparatus for refining superconductor fine particles according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying a magnetic field comprises an electromagnet. 7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for applying a magnetic field has a permanent magnet. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying a magnetic field comprises a plurality of magnets arranged along a flow path of said powder. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow of the powder is formed in a refrigerant. 10. The apparatus for purifying superconductor fine particles according to claim 1, wherein said means for forming a flow of the powder has means for spraying a carrier gas onto said powder. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the carrier gas acts as a refrigerant for the powder. 12. The apparatus for refining superconductor fine particles according to claim 1, wherein the means for forming the flow of the powder has means for dropping the powder. 13. The apparatus for purifying superconductor fine particles according to claim 1, further comprising a partitioning means having a slit in the flow path of the powder. 14. The purification of superconducting fine particles according to claim 1, further comprising a collecting means for collecting superconducting fine particles whose trajectory is deflected by the means for applying the magnetic field. apparatus. 15. A first collection means for collecting superconductor fine particles whose trajectory has been deflected by the means for applying the magnetic field, and a trajectory deflected by the means for applying the magnetic field. 6. A second collection means for collecting other superconductor fine particles which have not been removed.
The purification device for superconductor fine particles according to any one of the above.