Method for enriching oxygen isotope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale nitric oxide distillation methods face challenges with high liquid hold-up volumes and the need for regular replenishment of large nitric oxide raw materials, posing safety and logistical issues while maintaining separation efficiency for oxygen isotopes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving crude oxygen isotope enrichment through distillation, followed by hydrogenation to form water, chemical exchange with nitric oxide, and electrolysis to recycle oxygen, reducing the need for large nitric oxide replenishment and minimizing liquid hold-up volume without compromising separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If large-scale nitric oxide distillation is performed to enrich oxygen isotopes, then separation efficiency is improved, but liquid hold-up volume increases and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the enrichment process into two separate distillation devices: a first distillation device for crude enrichment and a second distillation device for final enrichment. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized independently, enabling the second device to operate at smaller scale with reduced liquid hold-up volume while achieving the same overall separation efficiency through the combined two-stage process.
2Productivity
If large-scale nitric oxide distillation is performed, then oxygen isotope enrichment capacity is improved, but raw material replenishment frequency increases and operational complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and recycles the nitric oxide from the first distillation device's output to the second distillation device. This recovery mechanism reduces the need for continuous replenishment of large amounts of raw nitric oxide, thereby maintaining high enrichment capacity while reducing operational complexity and improving ease of operation.
3Quantity of substance
If nitric oxide distillation scale is increased, then oxygen isotope production amount is improved, but safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the distillation process into two stages with two separate devices, the patent reduces the amount of nitric oxide present in any single device at any given time. This segmentation maintains high overall production capacity while reducing the safety risks associated with large-scale storage and handling of nitric oxide in individual units.
4Reliability
If nitric oxide hold-up volume is reduced, then safety is improved, but separation efficiency may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The two-stage distillation system allows the second distillation device to be designed with smaller capacity and reduced liquid hold-up volume for safety reasons, while the first device handles the bulk enrichment. The combined effect of both stages maintains high separation efficiency despite the reduced scale of individual units, particularly the second device.
Solution Approach 2:
The first distillation device performs preliminary crude enrichment, preparing the feed for the second device. This preliminary action allows the second device to operate at a smaller scale with reduced hold-up volume while still achieving high final enrichment levels, as it receives pre-concentrated feed rather than processing raw material from scratch.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of enriched oxygen isotopes with reduced nitric oxide raw material requirements and smaller liquid hold-up volumes, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in oxygen isotope enrichment processes.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring an oxygen having a crudely enriched oxygen isotope by distilling a raw material oxygen using a first distillation device
Implementation Method 2
acquiring a water by hydrogenating the oxygen having a crudely enriched oxygen isotope
Implementation Method 3
acquiring a nitric oxide discharged upon distillation of a raw material nitric oxide using a second distillation device
Implementation Method 4
performing a chemical exchange between the water and the discharged nitric oxide, thereby acquiring a nitric oxide having an enriched concentration of the oxygen isotope and a water having a reduced concentration of the oxygen isotope
Implementation Method 5
acquiring an oxygen having a crudely enriched oxygen isotope by distilling a raw material oxygen using a first distillation device
Implementation Method 6
an oxygen obtained by electrolysis of the water having a reduced concentration of the oxygen isotope is returned to the first distillation device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for enriching an oxygen isotope which enables the oxygen isotope to be enriched without requiring regular replenishment of large amounts of the nitric oxide raw material and with a small liquid NO hold-up volume, without reducing the separation efficiency for the oxygen isotope. By performing a chemical exchange between a water acquired by adding hydrogen to an oxygen having a crudely enriched oxygen isotope produced by a first distillation device, and a nitric oxide discharged from a second distillation device, a nitric oxide having an enriched concentration of the oxygen isotope and a water having a reduced concentration of the oxygen isotope are obtained, and the nitric oxide is supplied to the second distillation device, while an oxygen obtained by electrolysis of the water having a reduced concentration of the oxygen isotope is returned to the first distillation device.