Patent US4389292A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4389292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Zirconium isotope separation
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1981-06-04
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Granted: 1983-06-21
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Expires: 2001-06-04
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method of altering the zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium by raising a zirconium chelate ligand from a ground state to an activated state in the presence of a scavenger which reacts with the activated state but not with the ground state, and permitting about 25 to about 75% of the zirconium chelate to react with the scavenger. The reaction may be performed in a solution of the zirconium chelate ligand using water as a solvent. Activation of the zirconium chelate may be accomplished by using light and having a wavelength of about 220 to about 350 nm or by heating to about 80 to about 100° C.
Inventors
- 👤 D. Colin Phillips
- 👤 Steven H. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:54
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of altering the 91 Zr isotopic content of zirconium comprising raising a zirconium chelate ligand from a ground state to an activated state in the presence of a scavenger which reacts with said ligand in said activated state but not in said ground state, permitting about 25 to about 75% of said ligand to react with said scavenger, and separating said reacted ligand.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of altering the 91 Zr isotopic content of zirconium comprising raising a zirconium chelate ligand from a ground state to an activated state in the presence of a scavenger which reacts with said ligand in said activated state but not in said ground state, permitting about 25 to about 75% of said ligand to react with said scavenger, and separating said reacted ligand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said reaction occurs in solution.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of separating zirconium into a portion having a higher concentration of the 91 Zr isotope and portion having a lower concentration of the 91 Zr isotope comprising: (A) preparing a composition which comprises: (1) a zirconium chelate ligand; (2) a solvent for said zirconium chelate ligand; and (3) a scavenger which reacts with an excited state of said zirconium chelate ligand but not with its ground state; (B) exciting said zirconium chelate ligand to said excited state; (C) permitting about 25 to about 75% of said zirconium chelate ligand to react with said scavenger; and (D) separating said zirconium chelate ligand from the reaction product of said zirconium chelate ligand with said scavenger.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of separating zirconium into a portion having a higher concentration of the 91 Zr isotope and portion having a lower concentration of the 91 Zr isotope comprising: (A) preparing a composition which comprises: (1) a zirconium chelate ligand; (2) a solvent for said zirconium chelate ligand; and (3) a scavenger which reacts with an excited state of said zirconium chelate ligand but not with its ground state; (B) exciting said zirconium chelate ligand to said excited state; (C) permitting about 25 to about 75% of said zirconium chelate ligand to react with said scavenger; and (D) separating said zirconium chelate ligand from the reaction product of said zirconium chelate ligand with said scavenger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said zirconium chelate ligand has the general formula ##STR5## where n is 3 or 4, m is 2(4-n), X is halogen or cyanide, and R is ##STR6##
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein n is 4 and R is: ##STR7##
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said zirconium chelate ligand is excited with light having a wavelength of about 220 to about 350 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said zirconium chelate ligand is activated by heating to about 80° to about 100° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said solvent is water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said composition is about 1 to about 25% solids.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the concentration of said scavenger is about 90 to about 110% of stoichiometric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein about 45 to about 55% of said zirconium chelate ligand is permitted to react with said scavenger.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4351707A
Cited
US4330382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-20 | 1986-12-20 | 1987-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-20 | 1990-12-20 | 1991-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-20 | 1994-12-20 | 1995-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |