Patent US4424903A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4424903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for storing tritium, especially tritium wastes from nuclear power plants
Assignee: Forschungszentrum Jülich
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Filing: 1981-03-25
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Granted: 1984-01-10
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Expires: 2001-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for storing tritium, particularly tritium waste from nuclear power plants, wherein the tritium is first oxidized to HTO or T 2 O and is then bound to an adsorbent having molecular sieve properties, and the tritium-containing adsorbent being enclosed by a corrosion-resistant metal container hermetic with respect to hydrogen diffusion.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Knieper
- 👤 Heinz Printz
- 👤 Robert Wolfle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:46
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for storing tritium for a desired period of time in an accessible cartridge which is adapted for passage of gases therethrough which can both supply and remove tritium therefrom at a desired rate, comprising: (a) a closed and sealed outer waste container, (b) the waste container being filled with a filler material, (c) an elongated storage cartridge disposed centrally within the waste container and surrounded by the filler material, (d) the said elongated storage cartridge having a quick-connect seal member at each end for facilitating the passage of gases therethrough and operable only when connecting means are mounted on them, (e) the storage cartridge being filled with molecular sieve material having a high selectivity for water vapor and high temperature resistance in the loaded state, (f) the said storage cartridge having a relatively thin wall and being formed of a corrosion-resistant material which is hermetic to hydrogen diffusion, (g) the molecular sieve material containing oxidized tritium in the form of HTO or T 2 O, and (h) a relatively thick readily frangible shell partition disposed between the filler material and the said cartridge which it encases, whereby the cartridge can be freed from the filler material without damage and its quick-connect seals readily connected it to an inert gaseous supply for removal of the tritium from the molecular sieve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for storing tritium for a desired period of time in an accessible cartridge which is adapted for passage of gases therethrough which can both supply and remove tritium therefrom at a desired rate, comprising: (a) a closed and sealed outer waste container, (b) the waste container being filled with a filler material, (c) an elongated storage cartridge disposed centrally within the waste container and surrounded by the filler material, (d) the said elongated storage cartridge having a quick-connect seal member at each end for facilitating the passage of gases therethrough and operable only when connecting means are mounted on them, (e) the storage cartridge being filled with molecular sieve material having a high selectivity for water vapor and high temperature resistance in the loaded state, (f) the said storage cartridge having a relatively thin wall and being formed of a corrosion-resistant material which is hermetic to hydrogen diffusion, (g) the molecular sieve material containing oxidized tritium in the form of HTO or T 2 O, and (h) a relatively thick readily frangible shell partition disposed between the filler material and the said cartridge which it encases, whereby the cartridge can be freed from the filler material without damage and its quick-connect seals readily connected it to an inert gaseous supply for removal of the tritium from the molecular sieve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said container (7, 15) is made of a metal selected from the group consisting of pure aluminum, titanium or high-grade steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that said metal is aluminum and said container (7, 15) is provided with an oxide layer of 50 to 60 Å possibly reinforced by an anodic coating layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the container (7, 15) is welded shut or provided with a blind flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the container (15) is encased with glass-fiber reinforced plastic, for instance polyester-, phenolic- or epoxy-resins, or with an ablative material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the molecular sieve (1, 10, 11, 12) is encased by a cartridge (2) made of pure aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, characterized in that said cartridge (2) is provided with an oxide layer of 50 to 60 Å possibly reinforced by an anodic coating layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, characterized in that the cartridge (2) is provided with rapid sealing means of the type of the quick-connect seals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of said molecular sieve cartridges (10, 11, 12) are enclosed in said container (15).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 9, characterized in that said container (15) comprises reference rupture sites (18, 19) in the regions between the molecular sieves (10, 11, 12).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said filler (6, 14) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester-, phenolic- or epoxy-resins, plaster, and cement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized including a wax partition layer (5, 13) between the molecular sieve (1, 10, 11, 12) and the filler (6, 14).
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) | 1987-01-09 | 1987-07-11 | 1988-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-09 | 1991-07-11 | 1992-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-09 | 1995-07-11 | 1996-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |