On the design of a composite hydride-metal to accommodate hydride decomposition
AssigneeTokamak Energy Ltd
InventorsThomas Davis, Simon Middleburgh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Neutron shielding comprising a metal-hydride metal composite: the metal-hydride metal composite comprising: a metal matrix; and a plurality of metal-hydride particles dispersed within the metal matrix; wherein, the fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite is at least 1 mol % and the volume fraction of metal-hydride in the metal hydride metal composite is no higher than the ratio of the solid solubility limit of hydrogen in the metal matrix and the molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal-hydride.
Claims20
A metal-hydride metal composite for use in a shield:
- the metal-hydride metal composite comprising:
- a metal matrix;
- and
- a plurality of metal-hydride particles dispersed within the metal matrix;
- wherein, the fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite is at least 1 mol % and the volume fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite, at a temperature below a minimum dissolution temperature of the metal-hydride particles, is no higher than the ratio of the solid solubility limit of hydrogen in the metal matrix and the molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal-hydride, said solid solubility limit being a molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal matrix and defined at 1273K and 500 MPa,
- whereby, in the event of dissolution, hydrogen released by the metal-hydride particles is dissolved into solid solution of the metal matrix and release of hydrogen gas is substantially prevented.
A system comprising any one of the following:
- (i) a fusion reactor;
- (ii) a nuclear fission reactor;
- (iii) an artificial satellite;
- or
- (iv) a space transport system,
- wherein, the system comprises a shielding, the shielding comprising a metal-hydride metal composite, wherein the metal-hydride metal composite comprises:
- a metal matrix;
- and
- a plurality of metal-hydride particles dispersed within the metal matrix, and wherein, the fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite is at least 1 mol % and the volume fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite, at a temperature below a minimum dissolution temperature of the metal-hydride particles, is no higher than the ratio of the solid solubility limit of hydrogen in the metal matrix and the molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal-hydride, said solid solubility limit being a molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal matrix and being defined at 1273K and 500 MPa,
- whereby, in the event of dissolution, hydrogen released by the metal-hydride particles is dissolved into solid solution of the metal matrix and release of hydrogen gas is substantial prevented.
A method of providing a shielding, the shielding comprising a metal-hydride metal composite, wherein the metal-hydride metal composite comprises
- a metal matrix;
- and
- a plurality of metal-hydride particles dispersed within the metal matrix,
- and
- wherein, the fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite is at least 1 mol % and the volume fraction of metal-hydride in the metal-hydride metal composite, at a temperature below a minimum dissolution temperature of the metal-hydride particles, is no higher than the ratio of the solid solubility limit of hydrogen in the metal matrix and the molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal-hydride, said solid solubility limit being a molar fraction of hydrogen in the metal matrix and defined at 1273K and 500 MPa,
- whereby, in the event of dissolution, hydrogen released by the metal-hydride particles is dissolved into solid solution of the metal matrix and release of hydrogen gas is substantially prevented.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.