US3806583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of radioactive noble gases from gaseous effluents
Assignee: Babcock International Ltd
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Filing: 1971-03-15
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1991-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A process of combating environmental pollution by separating and recovering radioactive noble gases such as xenon and krypton in a substantially pure state from the gaseous effluents of a nuclear power station. In the process, the gaseous effluents are initially dehalogenated and devaporized followed, in sequence, by the dehydrogenation and subsequent removal of residual gaseous contaminants from such effluents leaving the rare gases in substantially pure form for recovery.
Inventors
- 👤 E Dewell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:57
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/34; B01D53/46; C; C01; C01B; C01B23/00; G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/28; G21C19/30; G21C19/303; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said denitrogenation step is conducted with a heated bed of metals selected from the group of metals consisting of rare earth metals, magnesium, barium, strontium, calcium, uranium, titanium, zirconium, and hafnium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said denitrogenation is accomplished with a bed of zirconium heated to 1000*C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen from the dehydrogenation stage is passed under pressure from the palladium diffuser to the coolant loop of said reactor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen from the dehydrogenation stage is passed to a second palladium diffuser for the removal of residual noble gases and then venting said hydrogen to the atmosphere as hydrogen gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen from the dehydrogenation stage is passed through a catalytic oxidation unit to form water vapor which is then cooled and condensed to liquid water.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for the selective recovery of radioactive noble gases from the mixed gaseous effluents of a nuclear power station that contain halogenous, water, hydrogenous, and nitrogenous gases, comprising, in series, dehalogenation means having heated silver wires for contact with said mixed gaseous effluent which pass therethrough from said power station, devaporization means having a cooling circuit for use in chilling the dehalogenated gaseous mixture received therein from said dehalogenation means to remove water vapor, dehydrogenation means having a palladium diffuser for the substantial removal of hydrogen from the devaporized gaseous mixture passed therethrough from said devaporization means, Another dehydrogenation means having a heated zirconium bed in the temperature range of about 300*C to 500*C for the removal of the residual hydrogen in said gaseous mixture passed therethrough from said palladium diffuser dehydrogenation means, purification means having a heated zirconium bed at a temperature above about 1000*C for the denitrogenation and removal of all residual gases except the noble gases from the gaseous mixture passed therethrough from said another dehydrogenation means, and, further means having a container for the recovery and storage of said noble gases under pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7 further comprising means for conducting water from said devaporization station to liquid waste.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 comprising means for conducting said hydrogen from said palladium diffuser under pressure to the reactor coolant loop of said power station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 7 comprising a second palladium diffuser through which said hydrogen from said palladium diffuser is passed for the removal of residual radioactive rare gases and the subsequent venting of the hydrogen to the atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 7 comprising means for catalytically oxidizing said hydrogen from said palladium diffuser and further means for chilling said oxidized hydrogen to produce water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |