US4476100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of enhancing selective isotope desorption from metals
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1983-07-26
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Granted: 1984-10-09
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Expires: 2003-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of enhancing the thermal desorption of a first isotope of a diatomic gas from a metal comprises the steps of (a) establishing a partial pressure of a second isotope of the diatomic gas in vicinity of the metal; heating the metal to a temperature such that the first isotope is desorbed from the metal; and reducing the partial pressure of the desorbed first isotope while maintaining the partial pressure of the second isotope substantially constant. The method is especially useful for enhancing the desorption of tritium from the Zr-Al getter in a plasma confinement device.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall J. Knize
- 👤 Joseph L. Cecchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:29
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of enhancing the desorption of a first isotope of a diatomic gas from a metal comprises the steps of: (a) establishing a partial pressure of a second isotope of said diatomic gas in the vicinity of said metal; (b) heating said metal to a temperature such that said first isotope is desorbed from the metal; and (c) reducing the partial pressure of said first isotope while maintaining the partial pressure of said second isotope substantially constant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of enhancing the desorption of a first isotope of a diatomic gas from a metal comprises the steps of: (a) establishing a partial pressure of a second isotope of said diatomic gas in the vicinity of said metal; (b) heating said metal to a temperature such that said first isotope is desorbed from the metal; and (c) reducing the partial pressure of said first isotope while maintaining the partial pressure of said second isotope substantially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said diatomic gas is hydrogen and said first isotope is tritium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said diatomic gas is hydrogen and said first isotope is deuterium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said diatomic gas is hydrogen and said first isotope is hydrogen.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of enhancing the desorption of a first isotope of hydrogen from a metal contained in a plasma confinement device comprises the steps of: (a) establishing a partial pressure of a second isotope of hydrogen in said plasma confinement device; (b) heating said metal to a temperature such that said first isotope is desorbed from the metal; and (c) reducing the partial pressure of said first isotope while maintaining the partial pressure of said second isotope substantially constant.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of enhancing the desorption of a first isotope of hydrogen from a metal contained in a plasma confinement device comprises the steps of: (a) establishing a partial pressure of a second isotope of hydrogen in said plasma confinement device; (b) heating said metal to a temperature such that said first isotope is desorbed from the metal; and (c) reducing the partial pressure of said first isotope while maintaining the partial pressure of said second isotope substantially constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said metal comprises a Zr--Al bulk getter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said first isotope is deuterium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said first isotope is tritium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said getter is heated to from 600°-740° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said second isotope is hydrogen and said hydrogen partial pressure is approximately 7×10 -4 torr.
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) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-04-09 | 1988-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-09 | 1992-04-09 | 1992-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-09 | 1996-04-09 | 1996-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |