Helium 3 enrichment device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of isotope separation, and provides a helium-3 enrichment device which comprises a separation loop and a refrigeration loop, the separation loop comprises a raw material tank, an ultra-leakage assembly, a gas inlet pipeline, a first liquid outlet pipeline and a second liquid outlet pipeline, the raw material tank is provided with a first inner cavity and a first outer cavity, and the gas inlet pipeline and the first liquid outlet pipeline are connected with the first inner cavity; the second liquid outlet pipeline is connected with the first inner cavity through the leakage exceeding assembly, and the gas inlet pipeline is connected with a mixed gas source. The refrigerating circuit comprises a liquefying tank, a first pressure reducing assembly and a refrigerating machine, the liquefying tank is connected with a helium-4 gas source, the refrigerating machine refrigerates the liquefying tank, the liquefying tank is connected to the first outer cavity, and the first pressure reducing assembly reduces the pressure of the first outer cavity. According to the arrangement, by cooling the raw material tank, helium-4 in the mixed gas is changed into superfluid capable of passing through the super-leakage assembly, helium-3 in the mixed gas is still normal liquid which cannot pass through the super-leakage assembly, so that crude separation of helium-3 and helium-4 is realized, and helium-3 concentration of the raw material gas is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of isotope separation, and in particular to a helium-3 enrichment device. Background Art

[0002] Helium-3 is a scarce strategic resource with extremely low content in nature and is very expensive. Currently, the main ways to obtain helium-3 include: decay of tritium in the nuclear industry, extraction from lunar soil, separation from helium or natural gas in nature, etc. Among them, the difficulty of obtaining tritium and lunar soil is much greater than helium or natural gas, so separating helium-3 from low-concentration mixed gases is a method with great potential. However, when obtaining helium-3 from mixed gases, the most difficult step is to separate helium-3 from helium-4.

[0003] Therefore, how to separate helium-3 from helium-4 is an important issue that needs to be urgently solved in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a helium-3 enrichment device for roughly separating helium-3 from helium-4 and increasing the helium-3 concentration in raw gas.

[0005] The present invention provides a helium-3 enrichment device, comprising:

[0006] A separation circuit, comprising a raw material tank, an ultra-leakage component, an air inlet pipeline, a first liquid outlet pipeline and a second liquid outlet pipeline, wherein the raw material tank has a relatively independent first inner cavity and a first outer cavity, the second end of the air inlet pipeline and the first end of the first liquid outlet pipeline are both connected to the upper end of the first inner cavity, the first end of the second liquid outlet pipeline is connected to the lower end of the first inner cavity through the ultra-leakage component, the ultra-leakage component is suitable for superfluid to pass through, and the first end of the air inlet pipeline is suitable for connecting to a mixed gas source;

[0007] A refrigeration circuit includes a liquefaction tank, a first decompression assembly and a refrigerator, wherein the liquefaction tank is suitable for connecting to a helium-4 gas source, the refrigerator is suitable for refrigerating the liquefaction tank to liquefy the helium-4 gas in the liquefaction tank, the liquefaction tank is at least connected to the first external cavity, and the first decompression assembly is suitable for performing a decompression operation on the first external cavity.

[0008] According to a helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, the refrigeration circuit further comprises:

[0009] The first precooling component is arranged between the liquefaction tank and the helium-4 gas source. The first precooling component is suitable for precooling and removing impurities from the helium-4 gas. The first precooling component includes a first cold trap and a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is arranged between the first cold trap and the liquefaction tank.

[0010] A helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, a second precooling assembly is arranged on the intake pipeline, the second precooling assembly is adapted to precool and remove impurities from the mixed gas, the second precooling assembly includes a second cold trap, a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger, and the second cold trap, the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger are arranged in sequence along the upstream to downstream direction of the intake pipeline.

[0011] A helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, the refrigerator has a primary cold head and a secondary cold head, the first cold trap, the first heat exchanger, the second cold trap and the second heat exchanger are arranged on the primary cold head, and the third heat exchanger and the liquefaction tank are arranged on the secondary cold head.

[0012] A helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention further includes:

[0013] A vacuum cover, with a vacuum environment inside, the separation circuit and the refrigeration circuit are both located inside the vacuum cover, and the first end of the intake pipeline, the second end of the first liquid outlet pipeline and the second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline extend to the outside of the vacuum cover;

[0014] A first cold shield, enclosing with the primary cold head to form a first enclosed space, the first enclosed space is located inside the vacuum cover, and the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger are located inside the first enclosed space;

[0015] A second cold shield, enclosing with the secondary cold head to form a second enclosed space, the second enclosed space is located inside the first enclosed space, and the liquefaction tank, the raw material tank and the ultra-leakage assembly are arranged inside the second enclosed space.

[0016] A helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, the separation circuit further includes:

[0017] A helium-4 collection tank, having a relatively independent second inner cavity and a second outer cavity, the second inner cavity is connected to the second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline, the liquefaction tank is also connected to the second outer cavity, and the refrigeration circuit further includes a second pressure reduction assembly, and the second pressure reduction assembly is adapted to perform a pressure reduction operation on the second outer cavity;

[0018] An output pipeline, one end of the output pipeline is connected to the top of the second inner cavity, and the other end of the output pipeline is connected to an ultra-pure helium-4 collection device.

[0019] A helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, the ultra-leakage assembly includes:

[0020] The pipe fitting has openings at both ends. The first end of the pipe fitting is hermetically connected to the first inner cavity, and the second end of the pipe fitting is connected to the first end of the second liquid outlet pipeline.

[0021] Powder filler, which is compacted and filled inside the pipe fitting.

[0022] According to a helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, the refrigeration circuit further includes:

[0023] A sleeve, sleeved outside the second liquid outlet pipeline. There is a gap between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the second liquid outlet pipeline. The first end of the sleeve is hermetically connected to the second end of the pipe fitting, the second end of the sleeve is hermetically connected to the second outer cavity, and the inner cavity of the sleeve is communicated with the second outer cavity.

[0024] According to a helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, an observation port is provided on the helium-4 collection tank. The observation port corresponds to the second inner cavity, and the observation port is adapted to observe the liquid level position in the second inner cavity.

[0025] According to a helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention, it further includes:

[0026] A camera assembly, adapted to acquire image information of the liquid level position in the second inner cavity;

[0027] A light source assembly, adapted to provide light to the second inner cavity and the observation port.

[0028] The helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention includes a separation circuit and a refrigeration circuit. In the refrigeration circuit, a first pressure reducing component is used to perform a pressure reducing operation on the first outer cavity. By reducing the pressure in the first outer cavity, the temperature in the first outer cavity can be reduced until the temperature in the first outer cavity is lower than 2.17K. Correspondingly, the temperature in the first inner cavity will also be lower than 2.17K, so that the helium-4 component in the first inner cavity becomes a superfluid state. Since the temperature required for helium-3 to become a superfluid state is 2.6mK, which is much lower than 2.17K, the helium-3 component in the first inner cavity remains in a normal fluid state. The superfluid helium-4 can enter the second liquid outlet pipeline through the super leak component, and the normal fluid helium-3 cannot pass through the super leak component, so it is temporarily stored in the first inner cavity. Helium-3 gradually enriches in the first inner cavity, thereby realizing the rough separation of helium-3 and helium-4 and increasing the helium-3 concentration in the raw material gas.

[0029] The second end of the first liquid outlet pipeline is used to connect to a helium-3 collection device. After a certain amount of helium-3 liquid accumulates in the first inner cavity, the helium-3 is collected into the helium-3 collection device through the first liquid outlet pipeline. The second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline is used to connect to an ultra-pure helium-4 collection device, and the separated helium-4 can be collected. The on-off states of the inlet pipeline, the first liquid outlet pipeline, and the second liquid outlet pipeline are controllable. During the helium-3 enrichment process, it is only necessary to control the on-off of the inlet pipeline, the first liquid outlet pipeline, and the second liquid outlet pipeline as needed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a helium-3 enrichment device provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a raw material tank and a super leak component provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a helium-4 collection tank provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of an observation port provided by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a flange assembly provided by the present invention.

[0036] Reference Numerals:

[0037] 1, raw material tank; 2, super leak component; 3, inlet pipeline; 4, first liquid outlet pipeline; 5, second liquid outlet pipeline; 6, first inner cavity; 7, first outer cavity; 8, liquefaction tank; 9, refrigerator; 10, first cold trap; 11, first heat exchanger; 12, second cold trap; 13, second heat exchanger; 14, third heat exchanger; 15, first cold head; 16, second cold head; 17, vacuum cover; 18, first cold screen; 19, second cold screen; 20, helium-4 collection tank; 21, second inner cavity; 22, second outer cavity; 23, output pipeline; 24, pipe fitting; 25, sleeve; 26, observation port; 27, camera assembly; 28, light source assembly; 29, fourth vacuum pump; 30, first vacuum pump; 31, third vacuum pump; 32, second vacuum pump; 33, third cold screen; 34, quartz glass; 35, first flange; 36, second flange; 37, valve. Detailed Embodiments

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present invention without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] The following will describe Figures 1 to 5 the helium-3 enrichment device of the present invention.

[0040] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, the helium-3 enrichment device provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a separation circuit and a refrigeration circuit. The separation circuit is mainly used to separate helium-3 from helium-4 in the mixed gas, and the refrigeration circuit is mainly used to liquefy high-purity helium-4 gas, and then through the method of pumping and decompression, make it transform into helium-4 superfluid to provide a necessary low-temperature environment for the separation circuit.

[0041] Specifically, the separation circuit includes a raw material tank 1, a super leak component 2, an intake pipe 3, a first liquid outlet pipe 4 and a second liquid outlet pipe 5.

[0042] The raw material tank 1 has a first inner cavity 6 and a first outer cavity 7, and the first inner cavity 6 is relatively independent of the second outer cavity 22.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, the raw material tank 1 is set in a cylindrical shape, the cross-section of the first inner cavity 6 is circular, the cross-section of the first outer cavity 7 is annular, the first inner cavity 6 is located inside the first outer cavity 7, and the first inner cavity 6 and the first outer cavity 7 share the same bottom plate.

[0044] The second end of the intake pipe 3 and the first end of the first liquid outlet pipe 4 are both connected to the upper end of the first inner cavity 6, and the first end of the second liquid outlet pipe 5 is connected to the lower end of the first inner cavity 6 through the super leak component 2. The super leak component 2 can only allow superfluid to pass through.

[0045] The first end of the intake pipe 3 is used to connect to a mixed gas source, and the mixed gas source provides a helium-3 helium-4 mixed gas, that is, a mixed gas of helium-3 and helium-4. The helium-3 helium-4 mixed gas enters the first inner cavity 6 through the intake pipe 3.

[0046] The refrigeration circuit includes a liquefaction tank 8, a first pressure reduction component and a refrigerator 9.

[0047] The liquefaction tank 8 is used to connect to a helium-4 gas source, and the helium-4 gas source can transport high-purity helium-4 gas to the liquefaction tank 8. The refrigerator 9 is used to refrigerate the liquefaction tank 8, so that the helium-4 gas in the liquefaction tank 8 is liquefied into helium-4 liquid.

[0048] The refrigerator 9 can be, but is not limited to, a GM refrigerator.

[0049] The liquefied gas tank 8 is connected to at least the first outer cavity 7, and the helium-4 liquid in the liquefied gas tank 8 will enter the first outer cavity 7. The first pressure reduction assembly is used to perform a pressure reduction operation on the first outer cavity 7. By reducing the pressure in the first outer cavity 7, the temperature in the first outer cavity 7 can be reduced until the temperature in the first outer cavity 7 is lower than 2.17K. Correspondingly, the temperature in the first inner cavity 6 will also be lower than 2.17K, so that the helium-4 component in the first inner cavity 6 becomes a superfluid state. Helium in the superfluid state has superfluidity that normal fluids do not have, and its viscosity basically disappears, and it can flow through any very small pores.

[0050] Since the temperature required for helium-3 to become a superfluid state is 2.6mK, which is much lower than 2.17K, the helium-3 component in the first inner cavity 6 remains in the normal fluid state.

[0051] The superfluid helium-4 can enter the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 through the super leak component 2. The normal fluid helium-3 cannot pass through the super leak component 2 and is temporarily stored in the first inner cavity 6. Helium-3 gradually accumulates in the first inner cavity 6, thereby realizing the rough separation of helium-3 and helium-4 and increasing the concentration of helium-3 in the raw material gas.

[0052] The second end of the first liquid outlet pipeline 4 is used to connect to a helium-3 collection device. After the helium-3 liquid in the first inner cavity 6 reaches a certain amount, the helium-3 is collected into the helium-3 collection device through the first liquid outlet pipeline 4.

[0053] A fourth vacuum pump 29 is provided on the first liquid outlet pipeline 4. The fourth vacuum pump 29 can be used to transport the helium-3 liquid in the first inner cavity 6 to the helium-3 collection device.

[0054] The second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 is used to connect to a super pure helium-4 collection device, and the separated helium-4 can be collected.

[0055] The on-off states of the intake pipeline 3, the first liquid outlet pipeline 4, and the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 are controllable. During the enrichment process of helium-3, the on-off of the intake pipeline 3, the first liquid outlet pipeline 4, and the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 can be controlled as needed.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present invention, during refrigeration, high-purity helium-4 gas and electric energy are used as raw materials, and the refrigerator 9 directly cools the high-purity helium-4 gas by using electric energy, and low-temperature helium-4 liquid can be obtained. Compared with directly purchasing helium-4 liquid for refrigeration in the prior art in the refrigeration field, the cost of helium-4 gas is much lower than the cost of helium-4 liquid. The helium-3 enrichment device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can greatly reduce the purification cost of helium-3.

[0057] The helium-3 enrichment device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be directly used to increase the concentration of helium-3 in natural gas or commercial helium gas.

[0058] The first pressure reduction component includes a first vacuum pump 30, and the first vacuum pump 30 is connected to the first outer cavity 7. When the first vacuum pump 30 operates, it can evacuate the first outer cavity 7, thereby reducing the pressure inside the first outer cavity 7.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration circuit further includes a first precooling component, which is arranged between the liquefaction tank 8 and the helium-4 gas source and is suitable for precooling and removing impurities from the helium-4 gas.

[0060] The first precooling component includes a first cold trap 10 and a first heat exchanger 11, and the first heat exchanger 11 is arranged between the first cold trap 10 and the liquefaction tank 8. The first cold trap 10 is used to remove impurities such as other gases, and the first heat exchanger 11 is used to cool down the helium-4.

[0061] During the process of the helium-4 gas flowing from the helium-4 gas source to the first outer cavity 7, it is cooled step by step and the temperature gradually decreases.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present invention, a second precooling component is arranged on the intake pipeline 3, and the second precooling component is used to precool and remove impurities from the helium-3 and helium-4 mixture gas.

[0063] The second precooling component includes a second cold trap 12, a second heat exchanger 13 and a third heat exchanger 14, and the second cold trap 12, the second heat exchanger 13 and the third heat exchanger 14 are arranged in sequence along the upstream to downstream direction of the intake pipeline 3.

[0064] The second cold trap 12 is used to remove impurities, and the second heat exchanger 13 and the third heat exchanger 14 are used to cool down the helium-3 and helium-4 mixture gas.

[0065] During the process of the helium-3 and helium-4 mixture gas flowing from the mixing gas source to the first inner cavity 6, it is cooled step by step and the temperature gradually decreases.

[0066] In this embodiment, the refrigerator 9 has a first-stage cold head 15 and a second-stage cold head 16, and the temperature of the second-stage cold head 16 is lower than that of the first-stage cold head 15.

[0067] The above-mentioned first cold trap 10, first heat exchanger 11, second cold trap 12 and second heat exchanger 13 are arranged on the first-stage cold head 15, and the temperature of the first cold trap 10, first heat exchanger 11, second cold trap 12 and second heat exchanger 13 is reduced by using the first-stage cold head 15, so that the helium-4 or the helium-3 and helium-4 mixture gas flowing through their interiors can be cooled down.

[0068] The liquefaction tank 8 and the third heat exchanger 14 are arranged on the secondary cold head 16. The secondary cold head 16 is used to reduce the temperatures of the third heat exchanger 14 and the liquefaction tank 8. The temperature inside the liquefaction tank 8 is lower than that inside the first heat exchanger 11, and the liquefaction tank 8 can further cool the helium-4 inside it. The temperature inside the third heat exchanger 14 is lower than that inside the second heat exchanger 13, and the third heat exchanger 14 can further cool the helium-3 / helium-4 mixture gas inside it.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present invention, the helium-3 enrichment device further includes a vacuum cover 17, a first cold shield 18 and a second cold shield 19.

[0070] The inside of the vacuum cover 17 is a vacuum environment. The separation loop and the refrigeration loop are both located inside the vacuum cover 17. The first end of the intake pipeline 3, the second end of the first liquid outlet pipeline 4 and the second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 extend to the outside of the vacuum cover 17.

[0071] The first cold shield 18 and the primary cold head 15 enclose a first enclosed space, and the second cold shield 19 and the secondary cold head 16 enclose a second enclosed space. As Figure 1 shown, the first enclosed space is located inside the vacuum cover 17. The first heat exchanger 11, the second heat exchanger 13 and the third heat exchanger 14 are located in the first enclosed space. The second enclosed space is located inside the first enclosed space. The liquefaction tank 8, the raw material tank 1 and the super-leakage assembly 2 are arranged in the second enclosed space.

[0072] Meanwhile, the vacuum cover 17, the first cold shield 18 and the second cold shield 19 are all used to reduce the radiative heat leakage from the external environment.

[0073] In this embodiment, the separation loop further includes a helium-4 collection tank 20 and an output pipeline 23.

[0074] The helium-4 collection tank 20 has a second inner cavity 21 and a second outer cavity 22, and the second inner cavity 21 and the second outer cavity 22 are relatively independent. Specifically, the helium-4 collection tank 20 can be set in a cubic shape. The cross-section of the second inner cavity 21 is rectangular. The second inner cavity 21 is located inside the second outer cavity 22, and the second inner cavity 21 and the second outer cavity 22 share the same top plate.

[0075] The second inner cavity 21 is connected to the second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 and is used to collect the superfluid helium-4 passing through the super-leakage assembly 2.

[0076] One end of the output pipeline 23 is connected to the top of the second inner cavity 21, and the other end of the output pipeline 23 is connected to the ultra-pure helium-4 collection device. The on-off state of the output pipeline 23 is controllable.

[0077] During the process of separating helium-3 and helium-4, the intake pipe 3 is in a connected state, the output pipe 23 and the first liquid outlet pipe 4 are in a cut-off state, the separated helium-4 superfluid is temporarily stored in the second inner cavity 21, and the remaining helium-3 liquid is temporarily stored in the first inner cavity 6. When the chemical potentials of the helium-3 liquid in the first inner cavity 6 and the helium-4 superfluid in the second inner cavity 21 are equal, the separation process ends. The intake pipe 3 is put into a cut-off state, the output pipe 23 and the first liquid outlet pipe 4 are put into a connected state, and the helium-3 liquid and the helium-4 superfluid are respectively collected into a helium-3 collection device and an ultra-pure helium-4 collection device.

[0078] Valves 37 are provided on the output pipe 23, the intake pipe 3, the first liquid outlet pipe 4 and the second liquid outlet pipe 5. By controlling the actions of the valves 37, the on-off states thereof are controlled.

[0079] A third vacuum pump 31 is provided on the output pipe 23. The third vacuum pump 31 can be used to transport the helium-4 superfluid in the second inner cavity 21 to an ultra-pure helium-4 collection device.

[0080] The liquefaction tank 8 is also connected to the second outer cavity 22, and the helium-4 liquid in the liquefaction tank 8 will enter the second outer cavity 22. The refrigeration circuit further includes a second pressure reducing component, and the second pressure reducing component is used to perform a pressure reducing operation on the second outer cavity 22. By reducing the pressure in the second outer cavity 22, the temperature in the second outer cavity 22 can be reduced. Correspondingly, the temperature in the second inner cavity 21 will also be reduced, so that the temperature at the rear end of the super leak component 2 is controllable, ensuring that after the chemical potential balance is achieved at both ends of the super leak component 2, the separation process will automatically stop to prevent rapid flow caused by the increase in the rear end temperature.

[0081] The second pressure reducing component includes a second vacuum pump 32, and the second vacuum pump 32 is connected to the second outer cavity 22. When the second vacuum pump 32 operates, a vacuum pumping operation can be performed on the second outer cavity 22, thereby reducing the pressure in the second outer cavity 22.

[0082] In the embodiment of the present invention, the super leak component 2 includes a pipe fitting 24 and a powder filler.

[0083] Both ends of the pipe fitting 24 have openings. The bottom wall of the first inner cavity 6 is provided with an outlet. The first end of the pipe fitting 24 is hermetically connected to the bottom wall of the first inner cavity 6, and the first end of the pipe fitting 24 is communicated with the outlet on the bottom wall of the first inner cavity 6. The second end of the pipe fitting 24 is connected to the first end of the second liquid outlet pipe 5.

[0084] Specifically, the first end of the pipe fitting 24 and the bottom wall of the first inner cavity 6 are connected by a flange and sealed with indium wire to ensure the sealing performance between the first end of the pipe fitting 24 and the first inner cavity 6 and avoid the leakage of the helium-4 superfluid.

[0085] The powder filler is compacted and filled inside the pipe fitting 24, and there are tiny gaps between the powders. The superfluid helium-4 in the first inner cavity 6 can smoothly pass through the powder gaps, while the liquid helium-3 cannot pass through the powder gaps.

[0086] The above powder filler can be, but is not limited to, alumina powder and magnetite powder.

[0087] In the embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration circuit further includes a sleeve 25, which is sleeved outside the second liquid outlet pipeline 5, and there is a gap between the inner surface of the sleeve 25 and the outer surface of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5. The first end of the sleeve 25 is hermetically connected to the second end of the pipe fitting 24 or the first end of the sleeve 25 is hermetically connected to the first end of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5, ensuring that the gap between the inner surface of the sleeve 25 and the outer surface of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 is isolated from the internal space of the pipe fitting 24 and the internal space of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5.

[0088] The second end of the sleeve 25 is hermetically connected to the second outer cavity 22, and the inner cavity of the sleeve 25 is communicated with the second outer cavity 22. The superfluid helium-4 in the second outer cavity 22 can flow to the gap between the inner surface of the sleeve 25 and the outer surface of the second liquid outlet pipeline 5. The temperature between the sleeve 25 and the second liquid outlet pipeline 5 is the same as the temperature in the second outer cavity 22, making the temperature at the outlet of the super leak component 2 controllable.

[0089] The super leak component 2 further includes a third cold shield 33, which covers the outside of the super leak component 2. The third cold shield 33 can reduce the radiative heat leakage and ensure the natural temperature distribution at both ends of the super leak component 2.

[0090] The third cold shield 33 is arranged in the shape of a hollow cylinder and can be divided into two parts along its own axial section. The two parts are detachably connected, which is convenient for replacing the super leak component 2.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present invention, an observation port 26 is provided on the helium-4 collection tank 20. The observation port 26 corresponds to the second inner cavity 21. The observation port 26 is rectangular and extends from the bottom end to the top end of the second inner cavity 21. The liquid level position in the second inner cavity 21 can be observed through the observation port 26. The change speed of the liquid level position in the second inner cavity 21 is related to the flow rate of the superfluid helium-4 at the outlet of the super leak component 2, representing the separation speed of helium-3 and helium-4.

[0092] In this embodiment, the helium-3 enrichment device further includes a camera assembly 27 and a light source assembly 28.

[0093] The camera assembly 27 corresponds to the observation port 26 and is used to obtain the image information of the liquid level position in the second inner cavity 21.

[0094] The helium-3 enrichment device further includes a control system. The camera assembly 27 is electrically connected to the control system, or the camera assembly 27 is directly electrically connected to the control system at the production site. After the camera assembly 27 obtains the image information of the liquid level position in the second inner cavity 21, it sends the image information to the control system, and the control system can calculate the separation speed of helium-3 and helium-4.

[0095] The above light source assembly 28 is used to provide sufficient light for the second inner cavity 21 and the observation port 26 to ensure the quality of the image information obtained by the camera assembly 27.

[0096] Specifically, observation ports 26 need to be provided on the opposite side walls of the second inner cavity 21 respectively, and the two observation ports 26 are positioned opposite to each other. Openings are provided on the side walls of the vacuum chamber 17, the first cold shield 18, and the second cold shield 19 on both sides of the second inner cavity 21 respectively, and each of the openings corresponds to the observation port 26 on the second inner cavity 21, and all the observation ports 26 and the openings are on the same straight line. The light source assembly 28 and the camera assembly 27 are respectively arranged at the two openings of the vacuum chamber 17. The light emitted by the light source assembly 28 enters from one side of the vacuum chamber 17, and the camera assembly 27 obtains image information from the other side of the vacuum chamber 17.

[0097] The camera assembly 27 can be, but is not limited to, a camera.

[0098] It should be noted that quartz glass 34 is provided at each of the observation ports 26 and the openings, and the observation ports 26 and the openings are sealed through the quartz glass 34.

[0099] For the connection structure between the vacuum chamber 17 and the quartz glass 34, it can be realized through a flange assembly.

[0100] The flange assembly includes a first flange 35, a second flange 36, and a connecting member. Through holes corresponding to the openings on the vacuum chamber 17 are provided on the first flange 35 and the second flange 36. The first flange 35 is hermetically connected to the vacuum chamber 17 by welding. An embedding groove and a sealing ring are provided on one of the first flange 35 and the second flange 36 for installing the quartz glass 34. The first flange 35 and the second flange 36 are buckled and fastened by the connecting member.

[0101] Chamfers are provided at the edges of each of the quartz glass 34 to avoid stress concentration at sharp corners.

[0102] In some embodiments, vaporization chambers are respectively provided at the downstream positions of the second inner cavity 21 and the first inner cavity 6 for vaporizing the separated helium-3 liquid and helium-4 liquid respectively, so that the helium-3 liquid and helium-4 liquid enter the helium-3 collection device and the ultra-pure helium-4 collection device after vaporization.

[0103] In summary, the feed gas of the helium-3 enrichment device provided by the embodiments of the present invention is natural gas or commercial helium with a low helium-3 content. Compared with the extraction of helium-3 from tritium in the nuclear industry and lunar soil in the prior art, the source of the feed gas is more extensive and easier to obtain, so it has greater development potential.

[0104] Moreover, the helium-3 enrichment device provided by the embodiments of the present invention uses the refrigerator 9 as a cold source. Compared with the method of directly soaking in liquid helium in the prior art, the operating cost and safety risk of the device are greatly reduced.

[0105] In addition, the helium-3 enrichment device provided by the embodiments of the present invention realizes the real-time monitoring of the separation efficiency, realizes the visualization of the separation efficiency, and introducing the separation efficiency into the measurement can more intuitively evaluate the separation rates of different ultra-leak components 2, which is helpful for the further research of ultra-leak components and isotope separation technology.

[0106] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A helium-3 enrichment device, characterized in that, Comprising: A separation circuit, including a raw material tank, a super-leakage component, an intake pipeline, a first liquid outlet pipeline, and a second liquid outlet pipeline. The raw material tank has a relatively independent first inner cavity and a first outer cavity. The second end of the intake pipeline and the first end of the first liquid outlet pipeline are both connected to the upper end of the first inner cavity. The first end of the second liquid outlet pipeline is connected to the lower end of the first inner cavity through the super-leakage component. The super-leakage component is adapted to allow superfluid to pass through. The first end of the intake pipeline is adapted to be connected to a mixed gas source; A refrigeration circuit, including a liquefaction tank, a first pressure reduction component, and a refrigerator. The liquefaction tank is adapted to be connected to a helium-4 gas source. The refrigerator is adapted to refrigerate the liquefaction tank to liquefy the helium-4 gas in the liquefaction tank. The liquefaction tank is at least connected to the first outer cavity. The first pressure reduction component is adapted to perform a pressure reduction operation on the first outer cavity.

2. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 1, wherein The refrigeration circuit further includes: A first pre-cooling component, arranged between the liquefaction tank and the helium-4 gas source. The first pre-cooling component is adapted to pre-cool and remove impurities from the helium-4 gas. The first pre-cooling component includes a first cold trap and a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is arranged between the first cold trap and the liquefaction tank.

3. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 2, wherein, A second pre-cooling component is arranged on the intake pipeline. The second pre-cooling component is adapted to pre-cool and remove impurities from the mixed gas. The second pre-cooling component includes a second cold trap, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. The second cold trap, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger are arranged in sequence along the upstream to downstream direction of the intake pipeline.

4. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigerator has a first-stage cold head and a second-stage cold head. The first cold trap, the first heat exchanger, the second cold trap, and the second heat exchanger are arranged on the first-stage cold head. The third heat exchanger and the liquefaction tank are arranged on the second-stage cold head.

5. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It further includes: A vacuum chamber, with a vacuum environment inside. Both the separation circuit and the refrigeration circuit are located inside the vacuum chamber. The first end of the intake pipeline, the second end of the first liquid outlet pipeline, and the second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline extend to the outside of the vacuum chamber; A first cold shield, enclosing with the first-stage cold head to form a first enclosed space. The first enclosed space is located inside the vacuum chamber. The first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger are located inside the first enclosed space; A second cold shield, enclosing with the second-stage cold head to form a second enclosed space. The second enclosed space is located inside the first enclosed space. The liquefaction tank, the raw material tank, and the super-leakage component are arranged inside the second enclosed space.

6. The helium-3 enrichment device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The separation circuit further includes: A helium-4 collection tank, having a relatively independent second inner cavity and a second outer cavity. The second inner cavity is connected to the second end of the second liquid outlet pipeline. The liquefaction tank is also connected to the second outer cavity. The refrigeration circuit further includes a second pressure reduction component. The second pressure reduction component is adapted to perform a pressure reduction operation on the second outer cavity; An output pipeline, one end of which is connected to the top of the second inner cavity, and the other end of which is connected to a super-pure helium-4 collection device.

7. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 6, wherein, The super-leakage component includes: The pipe fitting has openings at both ends. The first end of the pipe fitting is sealingly connected to the first inner cavity body, and the second end of the pipe fitting is connected to the first end of the second liquid outlet pipeline. The powder filler is compacted and filled inside the pipe fitting.

8. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 7, characterized in that The refrigeration circuit further includes: A sleeve is sleeved outside the second liquid outlet pipeline. There is a gap between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the second liquid outlet pipeline. The first end of the sleeve is sealingly connected to the second end of the pipe fitting, the second end of the sleeve is sealingly connected to the second outer cavity, and the inner cavity of the sleeve communicates with the second outer cavity.

9. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 6, wherein An observation port is provided on the helium-4 collection tank. The observation port corresponds to the second inner cavity and is adapted to observe the liquid level position in the second inner cavity.

10. The helium-3 enrichment device according to claim 9, characterized in that, It further includes: A camera assembly is adapted to acquire image information of the liquid level position in the second inner cavity. A light source assembly is adapted to provide light to the second inner cavity and the observation port.

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