US4383969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for removing radioactive carbon produced in nuclear power plants
Assignee: Kraftwerk Union AG
•
Filing: 1980-10-28
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Granted: 1983-05-17
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Expires: 2000-10-28
Abstract
Abstract Removal of small amounts of 14 CO 2 , 14 CO and corresponding alkanes produced in nuclear power plants from the exhaust gases of the purification plants by conversion of the radioactive compounds into 14 CO 2 , and removing this 14 CO 2 from the main gas stream of exhaust gases.
Inventors
- 👤 Alois Bleier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:39
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Method for the removal of the small amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and gaseous alkanes in which the compounds have radioactive carbons, produced in nuclear power stations and contained in the exhaust gases of the purification plant, which comprises subjecting exhaust gases containing the mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and gaseous alkanes in which the compounds have radioactive carbons, to oxidation to effect substantially complete conversion of the mixture of the radioactive compounds to radioactive carbon dioxide, and subsequently removing substantially all said radioactive carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases containing it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Method for the removal of the small amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and gaseous alkanes in which the compounds have radioactive carbons, produced in nuclear power stations and contained in the exhaust gases of the purification plant, which comprises subjecting exhaust gases containing the mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and gaseous alkanes in which the compounds have radioactive carbons, to oxidation to effect substantially complete conversion of the mixture of the radioactive compounds to radioactive carbon dioxide, and subsequently removing substantially all said radioactive carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases containing it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein said oxidation is obtained by passing said exhaust gas with a slight amount of excess oxygen in contact with palladium contact bodies at a temperature of ≧450° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein said oxidation is obtained by passing said exhaust gas with a slight amount of excess oxygen in contact with platinum contact bodies at a temperature of about 500° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein said oxidation is obtained by passing said exhaust gas with a slight amount of excess oxygen in contact with CuO contact bodies at a temperature at least about 750° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust gas after oxidation is subjected to cooling and said cooled exhaust gas subsequently passed in contact with an absorption medium to effect removal of the 14 CO 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 5, wherein said absorption medium is a sodium or potassium hydroxide solution with a small amount of BaCl 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 5, wherein said absorption medium is a Ba(OH) 2 solution in which Ba 14 CO 3 precipitates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 5, wherein said absorption medium is a solid alkaline absorbent material such as soda lime and sodium asbestos.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein a non-radioactive carbon containing carrier gas is admixed with said exhaust gases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to claim 9, wherein the said carrier gas is methane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 10, wherein said carrier gas is about 0.1% by volume of the exhaust gases.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3505017A
Cited
US4162298A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-16 | 1986-11-15 | 1987-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-11-15 | 1991-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-16 | 1994-11-15 | 1995-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |