Methods, devices, and systems for the separation and concentration of isotopologues
AssigneesExelon Generation Company, LLC, Industrial Idea Partners, Inc.
InventorsRandall N. Avery, Charlie Booth, Keith Moser
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Abstract
The present invention is a novel method for removing tritium oxide contamination from a solution with water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. In so doing the original water is decontaminated of the tritium oxide and may be discharged.
Claims35
A method for separating a mixture of isotopologues, comprising:
- a) providing a liquid stream comprising a mixture of a first isotopologue having a first freezing temperature and a second isotopologue having a second freezing temperature, wherein the freezing temperature of the first isotopologue is below the freezing temperature of the second isotopologue;
- and
- b) introducing the liquid stream into a filter capable of selectively capturing the second isotopologue such that at least a portion of the second isotopologue remains in the filter and a liquid filtrate comprising the first isotopologue exits the filter.
A device for separating an isotopologue from a fluid mixture comprising a first and second isotopologue, comprising:
- a housing defining an interior chamber having a distal end and a proximal end;
- filtration media housed within the interior chamber, wherein the filtration media comprises a third isotopologue;
- an inlet port defined in the proximal end of the housing in communication with the interior chamber and a source of the fluid mixture of isotopologues;
- and
- an outlet port defined in the distal end of the housing in communication with the interior chamber and the filtration media;
- wherein upon entering the interior chamber through the inlet port, at least a portion of the second isotopologue present within the fluid mixture freezes and remains in the filtration media and a liquid filtrate comprising the first isotopologue exits the chamber through the outlet port.
A system for continuous separation of an isotopologue from a fluid mixture of isotopologues, the system comprising:
- a housing defining an interior chamber having a distal end and a proximal end;
- a grinder positioned in communication with the distal end of the interior chamber;
- a source of filter media;
- a means for exerting pressure onto the filter media wherein the means for exerting pressure is fluid transmissible and wherein the filter media is positioned in the interior chamber between the grinder and the means for exerting pressure;
- a first inlet port defined in the housing in communication with the interior chamber and the solution;
- a second inlet port defined in the housing in communication with the interior chamber and the source of filter media;
- and
- a first outlet port defined in the housing in communication with the interior chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.