Hydrogen isotope transport device and hydrogen isotope transport method

By using a combination of hydrogen ion conductive solid electrolyte ceramics and hydrogen permeable electrode bodies, the problem of complexity in the existing tritium extraction and transportation methods and limited application ranges is solved, efficient separation and transportation of tritium is achieved, and the application range and functional diversification of the device are expanded.

CN119947818APending Publication Date: 2025-05-06KYOTO FUSIONEERING LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202380068549.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-09-26
Filing Date
2023-09-26
Publication Date
2025-05-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing tritium extraction and transportation methods, the proton conductive electrolyte used is liquid or non-formal substance, which leads to complex structure, complex application steps, and difficult material processing, limiting the application scope and functional diversification of the device.

Method used

Hydrogen ion conductive solid electrolyte ceramic is used as a proton conductor, combined with a hydrogen permeable electrode body and a medium, and the current is induced by applying a voltage to achieve hydrogen transport and isotope separation.

Benefits of technology

It improves the simplicity of the structure and application of the device, expands the application range, realizes efficient separation, concentration and removal of tritium, and improves the design freedom and low cost of the device.

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Abstract

In the conveying of hydrogen isotopes, the composition materials of the device are improved, so that the composition and function application range of the device is expanded. The present invention is provided with: a proton conductor (2) obtained by molding a solid electrolyte ceramic having hydrogen ions or hydrogen-containing ions as a charge carrier into a flat plate shape or a curved surface shape; a pair of hydrogen-permeable electrode bodies (31, 32) which are arranged so as to sandwich a hydrogen ion-conductive solid, and which are formed from a solid that has hydrogen permeability and conductivity and is in a gas-tight state with respect to a gas other than hydrogen; a pair of media (41, 42) disposed so as to sandwich the proton conductor (2) and the pair of hydrogen-permeable electrode bodies (31, 32); and a power source (5) that applies a voltage between the pair of hydrogen-permeable electrode bodies (31, 32) and induces a current.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen isotope transport device and a hydrogen isotope transport method which are useful for, for example, separation, concentration and removal of tritium in a nuclear fusion reactor; upgrading of heavy water, concentration and removal of tritium in a heavy water reactor; separation and removal of tritium in nuclear fuel reprocessing; separation, recovery and removal of tritium used in other general tests and researches, and separation of hydrogen isotopes other than tritium in hydrogen production. Background Art

[0002] In a nuclear fusion reactor, a mixed fuel containing deuterium and tritium is plasmatized and maintained in a vacuum container, and energy is extracted from primary neutrons generated in the nuclear fusion reaction to generate electricity. In a nuclear fusion reactor, a blanket is arranged on the inner surface of the vacuum container in order to generate tritium based on capturing neutrons generated by the nuclear fusion reaction and to recover the heat generated by the nuclear fusion reaction. In addition, a diverter is also provided to discharge the waste gas of the plasma not used in the nuclear fusion reaction.

[0003] In the cladding material, lithium reacts with neutrons to generate tritium (3T), which is an isotope of hydrogen. In order to reuse the generated tritium as fuel, it is important to recover tritium with good efficiency. In addition, deuterium and tritium from the unburned gas discharged from the splitter also need to be recovered. In the past, various methods for improving the recovery efficiency of tritium have been developed, and as one of them, there is a method for extracting and transporting tritium disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0004] In this method, a diaphragm formed of a proton conductive electrolyte is used, wherein the proton conductive electrolyte is formed by sandwiching a substance mainly containing hydrogen ions as charge carriers (for example, in addition to ion exchange resins, there are solid electrolytes such as β"-alumina, montmorillonite, and hydrogenated uranium phosphate hydrate). A current is passed between the two electrodes to continuously separate and extract tritium from a medium containing tritium in contact with one electrode, while pure tritium gas is released from the other electrode to a space separated from the medium by the diaphragm. According to this method, tritium at a low partial pressure in the medium can be extracted and transported as pure tritium gas at a pressure that is easily usable without using complicated equipment and operations.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-210039 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, in the method for extracting and transporting tritium disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a proton conductive electrolyte is used in the diaphragm for separating and extracting tritium. The proton conductive electrolyte is a liquid or amorphous substance and has no autonomy. Therefore, it is difficult to handle the material, and the device structure and its operation steps are complicated. In addition, it is impossible to obtain sufficient formability, strength, and hardness as a constituent component of the device. Therefore, there are certain limits to the diversification and generalization of the device structure and functions, and its scope of application is also limited.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention is completed to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a hydrogen isotope transport device and a hydrogen isotope transport method. In the transport of tritium, by improving the constituent materials of the device, the device and its operating steps can be simplified, and its application range can be expanded, and its functions and uses can be realized according to a variety of surface shapes.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the hydrogen transport device of the present invention comprises a hydrogen ion conductive solid, at least one pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies, a pair of mediums and an application unit; the hydrogen ion conductive solid is formed by molding a solid electrolyte ceramic with hydrogen ions or hydrogen ions as charge carriers into a flat plate or curved surface; the at least one pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies are formed by solid electrodes that are hydrogen permeable and conductive and are airtight to gases other than hydrogen, and are arranged in a manner to clamp the hydrogen ion conductive solid; the pair of mediums are arranged in a manner to clamp the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies in a state of clamping the hydrogen ion conductive solid; and the application unit applies a voltage between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies to induce current.

[0013] In addition, the hydrogen delivery method of the present invention comprises:

[0014] A step of sandwiching a hydrogen ion conductive solid by a pair of hydrogen permeable electrodes, the hydrogen ion conductive solid being a solid electrolyte ceramic having hydrogen ions or hydrogen ions as charge carriers formed into a flat plate or curved surface, the pair of hydrogen permeable electrodes being formed of a solid having hydrogen permeability and conductivity and being airtight to gases other than hydrogen; and

[0015] A step of sandwiching a pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies in a state of sandwiching a hydrogen ion conductive solid using a pair of media, applying a voltage between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrodes, and transporting hydrogen from one medium to the other medium via the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies through a current induced by the voltage.

[0016] In the above invention, preferably, hydrogen in two spaces separated by a hydrogen ion conductive solid and a pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies and respectively belonging to a pair of media is removed or added by the induced current, thereby generating two spaces with different gas compositions.

[0017] In addition, in the above invention, it is preferred to use an electromotive force measuring unit and a control unit; the electromotive force measuring unit measures the hydrogen concentration difference electromotive force generated by the chemical potential difference in the hydrogen ion conductive solid by means of a single or multiple hydrogen permeable electrode bodies which are arranged on the hydrogen ion conductive solid and are electrically independent from the applying unit; the control unit adjusts the voltage applied by the applying unit with reference to the measurement value obtained based on the electromotive force measuring unit, thereby controlling the amount or speed of hydrogen transported through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the above pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies.

[0018] In the above invention, it is preferred to restrict the movement of substances other than hydrogen between the gas phase of one medium in a pair of media and the substance of the other medium. In the above invention, it is preferred to separate hydrogen isotopes by utilizing the difference in the transport characteristics of hydrogen isotopes generated during the transport of hydrogen between the medium through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies. Furthermore, in the above invention, it is preferred to separate the reactants generated during the transport of hydrogen between the medium through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] In the present invention, in the transportation of tritium, a transport pump disposed between the media uses a hydrogen ion conductive solid formed by molding a solid electrolyte ceramic with hydrogen ions or hydrogen ions as charge carriers into a flat or curved shape. The hydrogen ion conductive solid is molded from a solid electrolyte ceramic, has high shape stability and sufficient hardness and strength, and is therefore easy to handle as a component of the device, and can be processed into components of various shapes, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of device design, achieving labor-saving in its operation steps, and expecting low costs for equipment costs and operation costs.

[0021] According to the present invention, these results can achieve, for example, the separation, enrichment and removal of tritium; the upgrading of heavy water in heavy water reactors, the enrichment and removal of tritium; the separation and removal of tritium in nuclear fuel reprocessing; the separation, recovery and removal of tritium used in other general experiments and research, and the separation of hydrogen isotopes other than tritium in heavy water production, etc., and the diversification, generalization and expansion of the scope of application of hydrogen transportation devices and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the general configuration of the hydrogen transport device according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the general configuration of a hydrogen transport device according to a second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the general configuration of a hydrogen transport device according to an embodiment of the third invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments shown below illustrate devices and the like for embodying the technical concept of the present invention. The technical concept of the present invention does not limit the material, shape, structure, and configuration of each component to the following contents. The technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0026] As described in the various embodiments below, according to the present invention, the scope of application of the structure and function of the hydrogen transport device can be expanded, for example, it can also be applied to the separation, concentration, and removal of tritium; the upgrading of heavy water in a heavy water reactor, the concentration and removal of tritium; the separation and removal of tritium in nuclear fuel reprocessing; the separation, recovery and removal of tritium used in other general tests and research, and the separation of hydrogen isotopes other than tritium, such as heavy water production.

[0027] [First embodiment]

[0028] (Device Configuration)

[0029] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 The schematic structure of the hydrogen transport device 1 of this embodiment is shown. The purpose of the hydrogen transport device and the transport method involved in this embodiment is to separate, extract, pressurize and transport tritium with a simple device, and can be applied to the structure and method of a tritium selective pump. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the proton conductor 2 is mainly arranged to be sandwiched between a pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 to function as a proton transport pump 3. The proton conductor 2 is a hydrogen ion conductive solid formed by molding a solid electrolyte ceramic using hydrogen ions or hydrogen ions as charge carriers into a flat plate or curved surface.

[0030] Proton conductor 2 has electrical conductivity, and its charge carrier is hydrogen ion (H + ), hydroxide ion (OH - ), hydronium ion (H3O +) and other ionic substances (electrolytes) containing hydrogen in the atomic group, and various oxide-based solid electrolyte ceramics can be appropriately used, having the formability, strength, and hardness as a component of the device, and being independently assembled as a part of the device, or having sufficient independence and sizing to be able to install and support other components such as electrodes of the sensor. The proton conductor 2 is formed into a container or tube with a flat or curved surface as a solid plate with a large area, or a plurality of them are arranged in a square shape in a surface, thereby forming two different spaces, and can be used as a container to separate spaces enclosed in various media such as gas, liquid, and solid.

[0031] In addition, the proton transport pump 3 has the following functions: the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 function as electrodes, supplying charges to ions in the proton conductor 2 by applying voltage from the power supply 5, and electrochemically exchanging hydrogen ions from other media on the other side. As the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32, palladium, nickel, platinum, cobalt, and alloys thereof can be used, which are selectively permeable to hydrogen, and have conductivity based on electrons or holes, and can also be mechanically reinforced by porous materials, honeycomb structures, etc. It should be noted that even if it is not a metal, as long as there is a material that allows both hydrogen and electron / hole conductivity to move, it can be used as the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32.

[0032] The hydrogen transport device 1 as a whole further includes a pair of media 41 and 42 arranged in a manner of sandwiching the proton transport pump 3, and a power source 5 as an application unit for applying a voltage between the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 to induce a current, so that the proton transport pump 3 is interposed between the media 41 and 42, and a voltage is applied by the power source 5, thereby transporting hydrogen from one medium 41 to the other medium 42 through the proton transport pump 3.

[0033] In particular, the hydrogen ion conductive solid as the proton conductor 2 is formed of a solid that is airtight to gases other than hydrogen, and the proton conductor 2 is sandwiched between the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 to form a proton transport pump 3. By making the proton transport pump 3 function, the gas composition of the two spaces to which the mediums 41 and 42 belong, which are separated by the proton transport pump 3, can be changed according to the induced current, and two spaces with different gas compositions can be generated in the form of containing the mediums 41 and 42, such as a space where hydrogen of one medium is removed and a space where hydrogen of the other medium is added.

[0034] For the medium 41, 42, in addition to the hydrogen isotope gas containing pure tritium at low pressure or near vacuum, the mixed gas containing tritium, it can also be considered to be a liquid such as molten metal, molten salt, or a solid in which tritium is dissolved, and the present method can be implemented in principle for any of them. In addition, even if tritium is a compound such as H2O, NH3, etc., when a sufficient voltage is applied, it is possible to recover only tritium from the compound by electrolysis.

[0035] The power source 5 is an applying unit that applies a voltage between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 to induce a current. When a voltage is applied between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 by the power source 5 , hydrogen is transported from one medium 41 to the other medium 42 via the proton transport pump 3 by the current induced by the voltage.

[0036] In the hydrogen transport device 1 having such a configuration, it is possible to restrict the movement of substances other than hydrogen between the gas phase of the medium on one side and the substance of the medium on the other side via the proton transport pump 3 outside the proton transport pump 3, and it is possible to use an isotope separation unit for separating hydrogen isotopes by utilizing the difference in transport characteristics of hydrogen isotopes generated during the transport of hydrogen by the proton transport pump 3. Here, the transport characteristics of isotopes refer to, for example, the reaction intensity, transport amount, transport speed, chemical potential, etc. of protium, deuterium, and tritium as isotopes corresponding to the type of electrode, in the case of hydrogen, and the voltage and current between the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 are adjusted according to the difference in transport characteristics, thereby changing the ratio balance of isotopes transported between the media, and by increasing the ratio of the desired isotope, the purity of the isotope can be increased.

[0037] For example, the medium 41 is a substance containing tritium (indicated as hydrogen H in the figure), and the tritium H dissociates and dissolves from the medium into the hydrogen permeable electrode body 31, and diffuses and permeates to reach the interface between the hydrogen permeable electrode body 32 and the proton conductor 2. Here, the tritium is ionized (indicated as hydrogen H in the figure). + ), migrates in the proton conductor 2 according to the potential difference applied between the two electrodes 31 and 32, and reaches the hydrogen permeable electrode body 32.

[0038] Tritium is converted into atoms again in the hydrogen permeable electrode body 32, and after passing through the hydrogen permeable electrode body 32, it becomes tritium gas and is released into the medium 42. Through this series of processes, tritium is transported from the medium 41 to the medium 42, separated and extracted from the medium 41, and the medium 42 is purified and pressurized to pure tritium gas.

[0039] It should be noted that the hydrogen transport device of the present invention can be used as a transport pump when the media 41 and 42 are tritium gases with a small pressure difference, and can also be used as a tritium recovery, storage, and supply device when the medium 42 is a sealed container or a circulating pipeline. It can also be used as a method of preventing tritium penetration and leakage of solids when the medium 42 side is a solid surface.

[0040] (Function and Effect)

[0041] Thus, in the present embodiment, the plate-like structure composed of the proton conductor 2 and the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 is made to function as the proton transport pump 3, so that the proton transport pump 3 as the plate-like structure serves as a container wall or a part thereof to separate two spaces, and the substances in contact with the two sides thereof are respectively used as the medium 41 and 42. When the medium 41 and 42 contain hydrogen, respectively, by applying a voltage to the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32, hydrogen can be transported from the medium 41 to the medium 42.

[0042] At this time, since other elements in the medium do not move, if the medium 41 and 42 are both hydrogen, for example, the proton transport pump 3 acts as a simple hydrogen booster pump. In addition, when the medium 41 is a mixed gas of hydrogen and other gases, it becomes a hydrogen removal and extraction device, and pure hydrogen is obtained on the medium 42 side.

[0043] It should be noted that the amount of hydrogen moving between the medium 41 and 42 is proportional to the voltage multiplied by the logarithm of the amount of hydrogen present, and is proportional to the current between the medium 41 and 42. The effect obtained by this voltage is very large, and a concentration difference of about 10 to the 10th power can be given, for example, the hydrogen concentration of the medium 41 can be extremely low, or conversely, the hydrogen pressure on the medium 42 side can be made to be about 100 atmospheres.

[0044] Furthermore, since the proton conductor 2 contains hydrogen ions and other ions therein, electrochemical decomposition occurs when a voltage higher than their oxidation-reduction potential is applied. Therefore, the power source 5 is controlled so as not to load a voltage higher than this voltage.

[0045] As a result, according to the present embodiment, tritium at a low partial pressure in the medium can be extracted or transported as pure tritium gas at a pressure that is easily usable, using the proton transport pump 3 having a simple electrochemical cell structure without complicated devices and operations.

[0046] In particular, the proton transport pump 3 disposed between the media 41 and 42 uses the hydrogen ion conductive solid 2 formed by molding solid electrolyte ceramics into a flat or curved shape. Since the hydrogen ion conductive solid 2 is formed by molding solid electrolyte ceramics, it has high shape stability, sufficient hardness and strength, is easy to handle as a component of the device, and can be processed into components of various shapes. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the degree of freedom of device design can be increased and the labor saving of its operation steps can be achieved, and the cost of equipment and operation can be expected to be reduced.

[0047] [Second embodiment]

[0048] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. The gist of this embodiment is that an electromotive force measuring unit for measuring the electromotive force of hydrogen concentration difference using the chemical potential difference in the hydrogen ion conductive solid and a control unit for controlling the amount or speed of hydrogen transport by referring to the measured value obtained by the electromotive force measuring unit are provided on the proton conductor 2. Figure 2 The schematic configuration of the hydrogen transport device of this embodiment is shown. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their functions and the like are the same unless otherwise specified, and their description is omitted.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the hydrogen transport device 10 according to the present embodiment includes electromotive force measuring units 61 and 62 and a potentiostat 6 as a control unit in addition to the configuration of the hydrogen transport device 1 described in the first embodiment.

[0050] The electromotive force measuring units 61 and 62 are provided on the proton conductor 2, are single or multiple hydrogen permeable electrode bodies electrically independent from the applying unit, and measure the hydrogen concentration difference electromotive force based on the chemical potential difference in the proton conductor 2. In the present embodiment, the electromotive force measuring units 61 and 62 are arranged as a pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies in a manner of sandwiching the upper extension portion 2a of the proton conductor 2, and the electromotive force measuring unit 61 is installed on the side surface of the upper extension portion 2a on the medium 41 side, and the electromotive force measuring unit 62 is installed on the side surface of the upper extension portion 2a on the medium 42 side.

[0051] These electromotive force measuring units 61, 62 are separated from the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31, 32 and connected to the proton conductor 2, and are electrically independent from the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31, 32. It should be noted that the electromotive force measuring units 61, 62 are fixed and supported on the proton conductor 2, and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the proton conductor 2 can be regarded as a group, and a plurality of groups of electrodes can be separated from each other and electrically independently arranged on the surface of the proton conductor 2.

[0052] In this embodiment, the potentiostat 6 is provided instead of the power supply 5 described above, and is a power supply device having the functions of both the applying unit and the controlling unit of the present invention, by using the electromotive force measuring units 61 and 62 as reference electrodes and the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 as working electrodes.

[0053] The potentiostat 6 refers to the measured values ​​obtained based on the electromotive force measuring units 61 and 62, maintains the potential between the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 relative to the reference electrode at a constant level, adjusts the voltage applied between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32, changes the current induced in the proton conductor 2, and tracks the changes in the electrode reaction rate (current) at this time, thereby adjusting the electrode reaction in the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 to an arbitrary potential, and controlling the delivery amount or delivery rate of hydrogen through the proton transport pump 3.

[0054] In addition, since the ratio of hydrogen concentrations between the media 41 and 42 is measured based on the electromotive force generated on the electrodes of the electromotive force measuring units 61 and 62, the ratio of hydrogen concentrations between the two can be controlled by measuring and controlling the voltage. In the present embodiment, it is known that the proton conductor 2 is a solid plate, but the constituent components flow out to the media 41 and 42 and are lost, and the proton conductivity deteriorates. In the present embodiment, since the proton conductor 2 is covered with hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 that are hydrogen permeable and can prevent evaporation of hydrogen other than hydrogen, it can be continuously used for hydrogen transportation without changing the performance of the proton conductor 2 for a long time.

[0055] It should be noted that the intake of hydrogen in the hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32 and the transport speed of hydrogen ions in the proton conductor 2 can be regarded as properties that differ according to isotopes, that is, transport characteristics. Generally, the lighter the hydrogen isotope, the faster it moves. Therefore, when a mixture of hydrogen and deuterium exists in the medium 41, a small amount of protium is concentrated in the medium 42. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, this property can be used to separate hydrogen isotopes.

[0056] The medium 41 and the medium 42 of the hydrogen transport device 1 of this embodiment are spaces divided by the proton transport pump 3. By configuring the gas to flow through one or both of the medium 41 and the medium 42, the ratio of the components in each composition can be changed in the flow direction. In this embodiment, by installing a plurality of electrodes on the proton conductor 2, the concentration of the component such as hydrogen in the generated gas can be controlled, thereby enabling the hydrogen transport device 10 to be applied as a chemical reaction device.

[0057] [Third Embodiment]

[0058] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the hydrogen transport device 1 described in the first embodiment is used as a reactant separation unit that separates reactants generated during the transport of hydrogen. Figure 3 The schematic configuration of the hydrogen transport device of this embodiment is shown. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their functions and the like are the same unless otherwise specified, and their description is omitted.

[0059] The gas filling the medium 41 and the medium 42 is not limited to hydrogen isotope gas. For example, when the medium 41 is water or water vapor, hydrogen ions are extracted from it by the proton transport pump 3 and provided to the medium 42. When the medium 42 is a closed space sealed with CO2, it can be changed into a compound of CHO. In this reaction, CO2 in the space to which the medium 41 belongs can also be changed into other useful compounds in other spaces to which the medium 42 belongs, such as CO2+3H2=CH3OH+H2O. That is, according to this embodiment, the above-mentioned hydrogen transport device 1 can also be used as an electrochemical reaction device that intentionally causes a chemical reaction involving hydrogen.

[0060] [Modifications]

[0061] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments themselves, and the constituent elements can be deformed and concretized in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of its purpose. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of multiple constituent elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, several constituent elements can also be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments.

[0062] For example, the proton transport pump 3 may be configured to have a structure in which a solid proton conductor 2 is sandwiched between hydrogen permeable electrode bodies 31 and 32. The structure is not limited to a flat plate, and may have a complex surface structure with a large specific surface area, or may have a larger electrode area set in a limited space by arranging a plurality of single-sided closed tubes.

[0063] Description of Reference Numerals

[0064] 1 ... hydrogen transport device, 2 ... proton conductor, 2a ... upper extension portion, 3 ... proton transport pump, 5 ... power supply, 6 ... constant potential instrument, 10 ... hydrogen transport device, 31, 32 ... hydrogen permeable electrode body, 41, 42 ... medium, 61, 62 ... electromotive force measuring unit.

Claims

1. A hydrogen isotope transport device, characterized in that: have: A hydrogen ion conductive solid is obtained by molding a solid electrolyte ceramic having hydrogen ions or hydrogen ions as charge carriers into a flat plate or curved surface. at least one pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies, which are formed of a solid having hydrogen permeability and electrical conductivity and being airtight to gases other than hydrogen, and are arranged so as to sandwich the hydrogen ion conductive solid. a pair of media arranged so as to sandwich the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies sandwiching the hydrogen ion conductive solid, and The application unit applies a voltage between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies to induce a current.

2. The hydrogen isotope transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The induced electric current removes or adds hydrogen isotopes in two spaces separated by the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies and to which the pair of media respectively belong, thereby generating two spaces having different gas compositions.

3. The hydrogen isotope transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also available: an electromotive force measuring unit for measuring a hydrogen concentration difference electromotive force generated by a chemical potential difference in the hydrogen ion conductive solid by means of a single or a plurality of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies provided on the hydrogen ion conductive solid and electrically independent from the applying unit; as well as A control unit adjusts the voltage applied by the applying unit with reference to the measured value obtained based on the electromotive force measuring unit, thereby controlling the transport amount, transport speed or ratio of hydrogen isotope concentration between the two media of hydrogen passing through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies.

4. The hydrogen isotope transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movement of substances other than hydrogen between the gas phase of one medium and the substance of the other medium of the pair of media is restricted.

5. The hydrogen isotope transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further has a function of separating the hydrogen isotopes by utilizing the difference in transport characteristics of hydrogen isotopes generated during the transport of hydrogen between the medium through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies.

6. The hydrogen isotope transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further has a function of separating a reaction product generated along with the transport of hydrogen through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies between the medium.

7. A method for transporting hydrogen isotopes, characterized in that: include: The step of sandwiching a hydrogen ion conductive solid by a pair of hydrogen permeable electrodes, wherein the hydrogen ion conductive solid is formed into a flat plate or curved surface by forming a solid electrolyte ceramic having hydrogen ions or hydrogen ions as charge carriers, wherein the pair of hydrogen permeable electrodes is formed of a solid having hydrogen permeability and conductivity and being airtight to gases other than hydrogen, and The step of sandwiching the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies sandwiching the hydrogen ion conductive solid using a pair of media, applying a voltage between the pair of hydrogen permeable electrodes, and transporting hydrogen isotopes from one medium to the other medium via the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies by a current induced by the voltage.

8. The hydrogen isotope transport method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further includes the step of removing or adding hydrogen in two spaces separated by the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies and to which the pair of media respectively belong, thereby generating two spaces with different gas compositions.

9. The hydrogen isotope transport method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: a step of measuring a hydrogen concentration difference electromotive force generated by a chemical potential difference in the hydrogen ion conductive solid by means of a single or a plurality of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies which are provided on the hydrogen ion conductive solid and are electrically independent from the application unit, and The step of adjusting the voltage applied to the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies with reference to the measurement value obtained based on the electromotive force measuring unit to control the transport amount or transport speed of hydrogen through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies.

10. The hydrogen isotope transport method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further includes the step of limiting the movement of substances other than hydrogen between the gas phase of one medium of the pair of media and the substance of the other medium.

11. The hydrogen isotope transport method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further includes the step of separating the hydrogen isotopes by utilizing a difference in transport characteristics of hydrogen isotopes generated during the transport of hydrogen through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies between the media.

12. The hydrogen isotope transport method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: A step of separating reactants generated along with the transport of hydrogen through the hydrogen ion conductive solid and the pair of hydrogen permeable electrode bodies between the media.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method for extracting and transferring tritium

    JP1987210039A