Getter pump for hydrogen and hydrocarbon gases
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorWen L. Hsu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gettering device for hydrogen isotopes and gaseous hydrocarbons based on the interaction of a plasma and graphite used as cathodic material. The plasma is maintained at a current density within the range of about 1 to about 1000 mA/cm.sup.2. The graphite may be heated to a temperature greater than 1000.degree. C. The new device offers high capacity, low noise, and gas species selectivity.
Claims11
A device for gettering hydrogen isotopes and gaseous hydrocarbon within a vacuum or an inert atmosphere, comprising a plasma and graphite as the cathodic material.
A device for gettering hydrogen isotopes and gaseous hydrocarbons, comprising:
- a hollow vessel,
- a graphite cathode,
- an electrically conductive anode, and
- means for generating a plasma.
A method for gettering hydrogen isotopes and gaseous hydrocarbons, comprising:
- inserting a graphite cathode in a hollow vessel,
- evacuating the vessel by mechanical means,
- striking a plasma discharge perpendicularly to said cathode,
- maintaining the discharge until the partial pressure of the hydrogen isotopes or gaseous hydrocarbon levels off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.