Nuclide Transmutation Device Using Deuterium Concentration Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclide transmutation devices, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, achieve only a limited amount of nuclide transmutation, which is not sufficient for practical applications, and there is a need for a method to increase this amount in a relatively small-scale device comparable to accelerators and nuclear reactors.
Innovation Solution
A nuclide transmutation method and device that utilize a deuterium concentration gradient by electrolyzing an electrolytic solution containing heavy water within a sealed structure of palladium or palladium alloy, generating high and low deuterium concentration units to enhance deuterium penetration and subsequent nuclide transmutation reactions, thereby increasing the amount of nuclide transmutation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If deuterium gas is passed through the structure using conventional methods, then nuclide transmutation can occur, but the amount of transmutation is limited to several ng/cm²
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the concentration parameter of deuterium by creating a concentration gradient (high concentration on one side, low concentration on the other) to enhance the driving force for deuterium penetration through the structure, thereby increasing the amount of nuclide transmutation from several ng/cm² to significantly higher levels
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-establishing a deuterium concentration gradient and maintaining high deuterium concentration in the high concentration unit before and during the transmutation process, ensuring maximum deuterium availability for enhanced transmutation productivity
2Quantity of substance
If deuterium concentration is increased to enhance transmutation, then transmutation amount increases, but electrolyte salt precipitation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces feedback control by monitoring the state of the electrolytic solution and adjusting parameters to prevent electrolyte salt precipitation while maintaining high deuterium concentration, ensuring both high transmutation amount and system reliability through continuous optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully controls parameters such as temperature, concentration, and pH of the electrolytic solution to maintain conditions that prevent salt precipitation while still achieving high deuterium concentration for enhanced transmutation, balancing productivity and reliability
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
The method significantly increases the amount of nuclide transmutation, making it feasible for applications like nuclear waste detoxification by maintaining high deuterium concentration within the device and controlling ion concentrations to prevent electrolyte salt precipitation, thus enhancing reaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
as the deuterium penetrates through the structure from the high deuterium concentration unit toward the low deuterium concentration unit
Implementation Method 3
a substance to undergo nuclide transmutation undergoes nuclide transmutation in the structure by reaction with the deuterium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A nuclide transmutation device and a nuclide transmutation method which enable nuclide transmutation to be performed in a relatively small-scale device compared with large-scale devices such as accelerators and nuclear reactors, wherein the amount of nuclide transmutation can be increased. The nuclide transmutation device comprises a structure (1), and a high deuterium concentration unit (2) and a low deuterium concentration unit (2) disposed on either side of the structure (1) so as to sandwich the structure (1) therebetween, wherein an electrolytic solution (16) containing heavy water is supplied to the high deuterium concentration unit (2), the electrolytic solution (16) is electrolyzed to generate deuterium, thereby producing a state of high deuterium concentration near the high deuterium concentration unit (2) side surface of the structure (1) and placing the low deuterium concentration unit (3) in a state of low deuterium concentration relative to the high deuterium concentration unit (2), causing the deuterium to deuterium to penetrate through the structure (1) from the high deuterium concentration unit (2) toward the low deuterium concentration unit (3), and subjecting a substance to undergo nuclide transmutation to nuclide transmutation in the structure (1) by reaction with the deuterium.