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US 2005/0235693 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for accumulating hyperpolarized xenon
AssigneeUniversity of New Hampshire
InventorF. Hersman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the accumulation of hyperpolarized 129Xe is described. A gas mixture comprising 129Xe is flowed through a heat exchanger tube from the first end to the second end. Concurrently, the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube is controllably refrigerated, beginning with the second end, to a temperature low enough to freeze the 129Xe on the inner surface of the heat exchanger tube.
Claims7
A method for accumulating hyperpolarized 129Xe comprising:
- adapting a heat exchanger tube with an inner surface and an outer surface and a first end and a second end to permit gas to flow therethrough from the first end to the second end;
- flowing a gas mixture comprising hyperpolarized 129Xe from the first end to the second end of the heat exchanger tube;
- applying a magnetic field to the heat exchanger tube;
- controllably refrigerating the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, beginning with the second end of the heat exchanger tube, to a temperature that is at least low enough to cause the 129Xe to freeze on the inner surface of the heat exchanger tube.
1 more element
An apparatus for accumulating hyperpolarized 129Xe comprising:
- a heat exchanger tube with an inner surface and an outer surface and a first end and a second end for accumulating hyperpolarized 129Xe from a gas mixture flowing therethrough from the first end to the second end;
- a magnetization means to apply a magnetic field to the heat exchanger tube;
- and
- a refrigeration means for controllably refrigerating the outer surface of the heat exchanger tube, beginning with the second end, to a temperature that is at least low enough to cause the 129Xe to freeze on the inner surface of the heat exchanger tube.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.