US4010100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Isotope separation by photochromatography
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1975-10-03
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1995-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An isotope separation method which comprises physically adsorbing an isotopically mixed molecular species on an adsorptive surface and irradiating the adsorbed molecules with radiation of a predetermined wavelength which will selectively excite a desired isotopic species. Sufficient energy is transferred to the excited molecules to desorb them from the surface and thereby separate them from the unexcited undesired isotopic species. The method is particularly applicable to the separation of hydrogen isotopes.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth S. Suslick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:09
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/50; B01D59/34; C; C01; C01B; C01B4/00; B01D59/22; B01D59/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for isotope separation which comprises: a. physically adsorbing on an adsorptive surface an isotopically mixed molecular species consisting of a desired isotopic species and at least one undesired isotopic species. b. irradiating the adsorbed isotopically mixed molecular species with radiation of a predetermined wavelength which will excite the adsorbed desired isotopic species without substantially exciting adsorbed undesired isotopic species, thereby desorbing the desired isotopic species to produce a fraction enriched in the desired isotopic species and a fraction depleted in the desired isotopic species, and c. separating the fraction enriched in the desired isotopic species from the fraction depleted in the desired isotopic species.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for isotope separation which comprises: a. physically adsorbing on an adsorptive surface an isotopically mixed molecular species consisting of a desired isotopic species and at least one undesired isotopic species. b. irradiating the adsorbed isotopically mixed molecular species with radiation of a predetermined wavelength which will excite the adsorbed desired isotopic species without substantially exciting adsorbed undesired isotopic species, thereby desorbing the desired isotopic species to produce a fraction enriched in the desired isotopic species and a fraction depleted in the desired isotopic species, and c. separating the fraction enriched in the desired isotopic species from the fraction depleted in the desired isotopic species.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the radiation source is a laser source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the radiation is infrared radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the isotopically mixed molecular species is hydrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the desired isotopic species is HD and the predetermined wavelength in the 3600 cm - 1 spectral region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the process is conducted at a temperature of less than about 225° K.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the adsorptive surface is a porous silica glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the adsorption step is accomplished by flowing a gaseous mixture comprising an inert carrier gas and the isotopically mixed molecular species through a column containing a solid material characterized by an adsorptive surface and transparency to the predetermined wavelength of radiation.
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) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |