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US4075312A
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Process for recovering evolved hydrogen enriched with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1977-06-06
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1997-06-06
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a separation means and method for enriching a hydrogen atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope by using a solid titaniun alloy hydride. To this end, the titanium alloy hydride containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, iron, cobalt and nickel is contacted with a circulating gaseous flow of hydrogen containing at least one heavy hydrogen isotope at a temperature in the range of -20 DEG to +40 DEG C and at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the hydrided alloy selectively to concentrate at least one of the isotopes of hydrogen in the hydrided metal alloy. The contacting is continued until equilibrium is reached, and then the gaseous flow is isolated while the temperature and pressure of the enriched hydride remain undisturbed selectively to isolate the hydride. Thereafter, the enriched hydrogen is selectively recovered in accordance with the separation factor (S.F.) of the alloy hydride employed.
Inventors
- 👤 John Tanaka
- 👤 James J. Reilly, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:13
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B4/00; C01B3/00; C01B3/0005; C01B3/001; C01B3/0018; C01B3/0031; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
The process of enriching a hydrogen atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope, comprising the steps of: a. selectively contacting an alloy hydride of titanium and at least one metal selected from the group of metals consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese and molybdenum with a gaseous flow of hydrogen containing protium and at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen at a temperature in the range of -20° to 40° C and at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the solid hydride phase until the ratio of the heavy hydrogen isotope to protium in the solid hydride phase is greater than the same ratio in the gas phase to selectively concentrate at least one of the heavy isotopes in the hydrided metal alloy; b. thereafter isolating the enriched hydride from the gas stream while the temperature and pressure of the enriched hydride are undisturbed; c. then decomposing the enriched isolated hydride to evolve enriched hydrogen; and d. recovering the evolved hydrogen enriched with the heavy isotope that is produced by the decomposing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
The process of enriching a hydrogen atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope, comprising the steps of: a. selectively contacting an alloy hydride of titanium and at least one metal selected from the group of metals consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese and molybdenum with a gaseous flow of hydrogen containing protium and at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen at a temperature in the range of -20° to 40° C and at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the solid hydride phase until the ratio of the heavy hydrogen isotope to protium in the solid hydride phase is greater than the same ratio in the gas phase to selectively concentrate at least one of the heavy isotopes in the hydrided metal alloy; b. thereafter isolating the enriched hydride from the gas stream while the temperature and pressure of the enriched hydride are undisturbed; c. then decomposing the enriched isolated hydride to evolve enriched hydrogen; and d. recovering the evolved hydrogen enriched with the heavy isotope that is produced by the decomposing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 in which the solid titanium hydride has a S.F. greater than one.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 in which the contacting continues until equilibrium is reached with a gas containing protium and tritium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which the titanium is alloyed with Cr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 4 in which the Ti content varies from 25 to 50 atom %.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 in which the hydride alloy is TiCr 2 H 1 .68.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 in which the hydride formed is TiCr 2 H 1 .48.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
The process of enriching a protium atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope, comprising the steps of: a. alloying titanium with at least one metal selected from the group of metals consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Fe, Co and Ni having an alloy hydride hydrogen separation factor greater than one; b. hydriding the alloy with protium; c. selectively contacting the alloy hydride at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the hydrided alloy with a protium treating gas containing higher than normal amounts of at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen at a temperature in the range of up to 40° C to enrich the hydrided alloy in at least said one isotope; d. isolating the enriched hydrided alloy; and e. decomposing the isolated enriched alloy to produce the enriched atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
The process of enriching a protium atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope, comprising the steps of: a. alloying titanium with at least one metal selected from the group of metals consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Fe, Co and Ni having an alloy hydride hydrogen separation factor greater than one; b. hydriding the alloy with protium; c. selectively contacting the alloy hydride at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the hydrided alloy with a protium treating gas containing higher than normal amounts of at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen at a temperature in the range of up to 40° C to enrich the hydrided alloy in at least said one isotope; d. isolating the enriched hydrided alloy; and e. decomposing the isolated enriched alloy to produce the enriched atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
The process of enriching a protium containing hydrogen atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope, comprising the steps of: a. selectively contacting a hydrided titanium metal alloy with a circulating gaseous stream of protium containing higher than normal amounts of at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the hydrided alloy at a temperature where enrichment is taking place selectively to concentrate at least one of the heavy isotopes of hydrogen in the hydrided metal alloy; b. continuing said contacting until equilibrium is reached; c. isolating the enriched metal alloy hydride from the gas stream while the temperature and pressure of the enriched metal alloy hydride are undisturbed; and d. decomposing the isolated enriched metal alloy hydride for selectively recovering hydrogen enriched in the heavy isotope; e. the titanium being alloyed with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Fe, Co and Ni.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
The process of enriching a protium containing hydrogen atmosphere with at least one heavy hydrogen isotope, comprising the steps of: a. selectively contacting a hydrided titanium metal alloy with a circulating gaseous stream of protium containing higher than normal amounts of at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen at a pressure above the dissociation pressure of the hydrided alloy at a temperature where enrichment is taking place selectively to concentrate at least one of the heavy isotopes of hydrogen in the hydrided metal alloy; b. continuing said contacting until equilibrium is reached; c. isolating the enriched metal alloy hydride from the gas stream while the temperature and pressure of the enriched metal alloy hydride are undisturbed; and d. decomposing the isolated enriched metal alloy hydride for selectively recovering hydrogen enriched in the heavy isotope; e. the titanium being alloyed with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Mo, Fe, Co and Ni.
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) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |