US4528003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for separating gaseous hydrogen isotopes
Assignee: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
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Filing: 1983-06-17
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Granted: 1985-07-09
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Expires: 2003-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for separating the gaseous hydrogen isotopes protium, deuterium and tritium from a gas stream containing one or a plurality of the hydrogen isotopes. A membrane is provided which is permeable to the hydrogen isotopes and impermeable to the gas stream. The membrane has a side facing away from the gas stream and a side exposed to the gas stream. On the side of the membrane facing away from the gas stream, there is disposed a getter which takes up the hydrogen isotopes by absorption at a predetermined absorption temperature and releases the absorbed hydrogen isotopes again by desorption at a desorption temperature above the absorption temperature. The membrane permeable to the hydrogen isotopes covers a surface of the getter so that the getter, at the absorption temperature, absorbs hydrogen isotopes exclusively through the membrane. The membrane and getter constitute an absorption element and are permanently connected to one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Dittrich
- 👤 Hartmut Frey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:03
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/10; B01D59/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for separating the gaseous hydrogen isotopes protium, deuterium and tritium from a gas stream containing one or a plurality of said hydrogen isotopes and for desorbing the separated hydrogen isotopes comprising: (a) a membrane having a thickness less than 10 micrometers which is permeable to the hydrogen isotopes and impermeable to the gas stream, the membrane having a side facing away from the gas stream and a side which is exposed to the gas stream; (b) a getter disposed on the side of the membrane facing away from the gas stream, the getter being made of material which takes up the hydrogen isotopes by absorption at a predetermined absorption temperature and releases the absorbed hydrogen isotopes by desorption at a desorption temperature above the absorption temperature; (c) the membrane permeable to the hydrogen isotopes covers a surface of the getter so that the getter, at the absorption temperature, absorbs hydrogen isotopes exclusively through said membrane; and (d) membrane and getter constitute an absorption element and are permanently connected to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus for separating the gaseous hydrogen isotopes protium, deuterium and tritium from a gas stream containing one or a plurality of said hydrogen isotopes and for desorbing the separated hydrogen isotopes comprising: (a) a membrane having a thickness less than 10 micrometers which is permeable to the hydrogen isotopes and impermeable to the gas stream, the membrane having a side facing away from the gas stream and a side which is exposed to the gas stream; (b) a getter disposed on the side of the membrane facing away from the gas stream, the getter being made of material which takes up the hydrogen isotopes by absorption at a predetermined absorption temperature and releases the absorbed hydrogen isotopes by desorption at a desorption temperature above the absorption temperature; (c) the membrane permeable to the hydrogen isotopes covers a surface of the getter so that the getter, at the absorption temperature, absorbs hydrogen isotopes exclusively through said membrane; and (d) membrane and getter constitute an absorption element and are permanently connected to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the absorption element is permanently connected with a band-shaped carrier which does not participate in the absorption and desorption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the carrier is made of a high-grade steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the absorption element is a sphere having a small diameter, and said sphere comprises the getter which is permanently connected to the membrane, with the membrane completely enclosing said sphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the sphere has a diameter of about 1 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the material employed for the getter is titanium, zirconium, hafnium or a zirconium-aluminum alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the material employed for the membrane is niobium, titanium, palladium, ceramic or metal ceramic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the membrane is palladium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-08 | 1989-01-07 | 1989-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-01-07 | 1993-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-08 | 1997-01-07 | 1997-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |