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Chemistry Forums for Students => Physical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: shinshi on August 26, 2014, 03:39:06 AM

Title: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: shinshi on August 26, 2014, 03:39:06 AM
What kind of reaction could I expect if I put pure lithium liquid on a carbon/aluminum material? would there be corrosion, etc.?
I am curious on if this would affect the heat conductivity and/or heat capacity of the lithium liquid. Would lithium citrate be better/worse?
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: Hunter2 on August 26, 2014, 06:23:31 AM
Lithium could react to Carbide and also do an alloy with Aluminium.
A salt will not interact with Carbon. Aluminium could be corroded.
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: shinshi on August 26, 2014, 07:49:22 PM
thank you very much =)
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: shinshi on August 26, 2014, 08:14:37 PM
what if the lithium was substituted with Ammonia NH3?
Title: Thermally conductive/high thermal capacity liquids
Post by: shinshi on August 26, 2014, 09:41:29 PM
Hello I've been researching different liquid cooling techniques but seem to run into a road block with each liquid I investigate. The material this liquid will have contact with carbon and aluminum. I've looked into the following:
NaK: Far too volatile any oxygen exposure is too high risk as well as contact with metals
Mercury: has too high of a gas pressure when heating and poisonous gas
Lithium: possible bonding with Al and reaction with the carbon
Lithium citrate: corrosion with the Al could take the entire system down
any advice, tips, or substances/research would be appreciated!
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: Hunter2 on August 27, 2014, 02:00:42 AM
Ammonia react with aluminium, Carbon no problem
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: shinshi on August 27, 2014, 03:36:27 AM
so with further research into this I found that I need to look into gallium or indium alloys however I fear these will also not react well with the Al material =/
Title: Re: Thermally conductive/high thermal capacity liquids
Post by: Enthalpy on August 27, 2014, 10:31:29 AM
What temperature do you foresee, if NaK is volatile?

The universal efficient cooling liquid is water. It has a huge capacity, and its small viscosity permits a finely turbulent flow that makes a good thermal  contact with the solids.

Users commonly add some antifreeze like propane diol, some wetting agents, defoamers, anticorrosion, possibly antifungals... but basically it's water. About every other liquid is much worse, so it would need excellent reasons to search for a different one.
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: Arkcon on August 27, 2014, 01:38:33 PM
shinshi: I hope you don't mind that I merged your two topics, they seem to have similar content, and you'll get better answers if we keep all the info together.

So more info about your application would help.  I recognize you need a heat transfer fluid, but why can't you use water?  I suppose it depends on the heat load, but how much cooling do you need?  Could you meet it with a large volume of water.
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: shinshi on August 27, 2014, 04:43:05 PM
thanks Arkcon, and Enthalpy the reason I am looking into liquid metals is because I am trying to keep the temperature around 40 degrees C; I am trying to find something more efficient than water kind of a fun chemistry adventure.
Title: Re: thermal/chemical reaction Li and a carbon/aluminum material
Post by: Enthalpy on August 29, 2014, 04:39:16 PM
Just use water, or a water-based coolant. Take the proper aluminium alloy, like 6060 or 6082. Liquid metals are dangerous, difficult to use - avoid them.