Nuclide transmutation method and nuclide transmutation device

A nuclide transmutation method comprising:

• an electrolytic solution supply step of supplying, via a supply mode that uses a flow of gas to force out a liquid, an electrolytic solution containing heavy water to a high deuterium concentration unit which forms an enclosed space that can be sealed by a structure comprising palladium or a palladium alloy, or a hydrogen-absorbing metal other than palladium or a hydrogen-absorbing alloy other than a palladium alloy,
• a high concentration formation step of electrolyzing the supplied electrolytic solution to generate deuterium, and producing a state of high deuterium concentration near the high deuterium concentration unit side surface of the structure,
• a low concentration formation step of placing a low deuterium concentration unit, which forms an enclosed space that can be sealed by the structure and is provided on an opposite side of the structure from the high deuterium concentration unit, in a state having a low deuterium concentration relative to that of the high deuterium concentration unit,
• a gas discharge step of discharging gas from the high deuterium concentration unit during the high concentration formation step, and
• a nuclide transmutation step in which, as the deuterium penetrates through the structure from the high deuterium concentration unit toward the low deuterium concentration unit, a substance to undergo nuclide transmutation undergoes nuclide transmutation in the structure by reaction with the deuterium, wherein
• the electrolytic solution supply step is performed during the high concentration formation step.

A nuclide transmutation device comprising:

• a structure comprising palladium or a palladium alloy, or a hydrogen-absorbing metal other than palladium or a hydrogen-absorbing alloy other than a palladium alloy,
• a high deuterium concentration unit and a low deuterium concentration unit, which are disposed on either side of the structure so as to sandwich the structure therebetween, and form an enclosed space that can be sealed by the structure,
• a high concentration formation means which produces a state of high deuterium concentration near the high deuterium concentration unit side surface of the structure, and
• a low concentration formation means which places the low deuterium concentration unit in a state having a low deuterium concentration relative to that of the high deuterium concentration unit,
• the high concentration formation means having
• a voltage generation unit,
• a positive electrode disposed opposing the high deuterium concentration unit side surface of the structure with a space provided therebetween,
• an electrolytic solution supply unit, which comprises a gas source, and supplies, via a supply mode that uses a flow of gas from the gas source to force out a liquid, an electrolytic solution containing heavy water to the high deuterium concentration unit in a state of high deuterium concentration near the high deuterium concentration unit side surface of the structure, and
• a gas discharge channel through which gas that has been generated by electrolysis of the electrolytic solution is discharged from the high deuterium concentration unit, wherein
• a voltage difference is applied between the structure and the positive electrode by the voltage generation unit, using the structure as a negative electrode, thereby electrolyzing the electrolytic solution and generating the deuterium, and
• when the deuterium penetrates through the structure from the high deuterium concentration unit toward the low deuterium concentration unit, a substance to undergo nuclide transmutation undergoes nuclide transmutation within the structure by reaction with the deuterium.