US Patent 11873430 Inhibitor for alkali and alkaline earth metals

The technology described relates to a process for the safe dissolution of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and alloys predominantly comprising at least one thereof. The process comprises contacting the metal with a reaction inhibitor and water. In this process, the reaction inhibitor is selected from a hydrocarbon, a hydroxylated compound, and a mixture thereof. The uses of this process for the quantitative dissolution of metals and their analysis, for the destruction and stabilization of metallic residues, and for the recycling of batteries are also described.