JP2019025452A - Isotope separation device and isotope separation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an isotope separation device that is further miniaturized and reduced in processing cost, and to provide an isotope separation method.SOLUTION: An isotope separation device 10A includes: atomization means 11 for spraying liquid containing an isotope that is present in liquid, as a fine droplet; and un-evaporated collecting means 12 for collecting an un-evaporated droplet that is sprayed from the atomization means 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an isotope separation apparatus and an isotope separation method.

^Some hydrogen or oxygen isotopes of ¹ H ₂ ¹⁶ O are radioactive. For example, tritium (tritium: T), which is an isotope of hydrogen existing in nature and has three neutrons, is known to be a radioactive substance having a half-life of about 12.3 years.

Tritium water in which hydrogen atoms constituting water molecules are replaced by tritium (T) is called tritium water. As the existence form, in addition to tritium, HTO containing light hydrogen having one neutron (hereinafter simply referred to as “hydrogen”) (H) and deuterium having two neutrons (deuterium: D) and There are DTO and T ₂ O containing only tritium, but it exists mainly in the form of HTO.

There are also water molecules in which oxygen atoms constituting the water molecules are replaced by isotopes of ¹⁷ O and ¹⁸ O. Hereinafter, ¹ H ₂ ¹⁶ O is referred to as light water, and water having a mass larger than ¹ H ₂ ¹⁶ O and free of tritium is referred to as heavy water. Further, water containing tritium such as HTO and T ₂ O is referred to as tritium water. Furthermore, the generic name of heavy water and tritium water is called isotope water.

  Separating, concentrating, recovering and treating tritium water from water containing tritium water has been attempted and is an important technology in the nuclear industry. In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for separating and removing isotope water including tritium water from water used in nuclear power plants and the like.

  As a technique for separating heavy water or tritium water from water containing light water isotope water, such as heavy water or tritium water, there is a water distillation method, for example.

Japanese Patent No. 1328656

  However, all of the conventional isotope separation techniques have the problem that the entire apparatus becomes large and the power consumption is large and the cost required for isotope separation is high. Isotope separation technology is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an isotope separation apparatus and an isotope separation method that are smaller in size and inexpensive in processing cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an isotope separation device according to an embodiment of the present invention sprays a liquid containing an isotope present in a liquid as fine droplets, and is sprayed from the spraying means. And a non-evaporated component collecting means for collecting the non-evaporated component of the droplet.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an isotope separation method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step of turning a liquid containing an isotope present in a liquid into a minute droplet, and the minute droplet is placed in a predetermined space. And a step of separating into droplets that float and evaporate beyond a predetermined time and droplets that float and evaporate within the predetermined time.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an isotope separation technique that is smaller and cheaper in processing cost.

The schematic diagram showing roughly the composition of the isotope separation device concerning a 1st embodiment. The graph which shows the relationship between the temperature (horizontal axis) of the H ₂ O isotope and the separation factor α (vertical axis). The graph which shows the relationship of the average particle diameter (vertical axis) after progress of the floating time (horizontal axis) of the droplet when the average particle diameter is 20 μm at the start of floating when the ambient (atmosphere) temperature is 25 ° C. The graph which shows the relationship between the floating time (horizontal axis) and the sedimentation distance (vertical axis) with respect to the difference in droplet size (average particle size) when the atmospheric temperature is 20 ° C. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the non-evaporated fraction collection means of the isotope separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment, (A) is the schematic which shows the structural example with a flat collection surface, (B) is the collection surface. Schematic which shows the example of a structure which inclines. It is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the non-evaporated component collecting means, the rubbing means and the non-evaporated component recovery means, (A) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example provided with a collection surface in which the non-evaporated component recovery means is inclined, (B) is the schematic which shows the structural example with which a non-evaporated content collection | recovery means is provided with a flat collection surface. The flowchart (flowchart) which shows the flow of the process step in a 1st isotope separation process procedure. The schematic diagram showing roughly the composition of the isotope separation device concerning a 2nd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an isotope separation apparatus and an isotope separation method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration of an isotope separation device 10A that is an example of an isotope separation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that a circle I in FIG. 1 (a symbol in which I is written in circles) is a connector. Further, in a valve such as the three-way valve 323, white and black indicate the “open” (open) and “closed” (closed) states of the valve, respectively.

  The isotope separation device 10A includes, for example, a spraying means 11, an unevaporated component collecting means 12, a position adjusting means 13, an atmosphere information detecting means 14 and a liquid level detecting means 15 as detecting means, and a control means 16. It is comprised and comprises.

  The isotope separation apparatus 10A is provided with a transfer line 31, a return line 32, and a liquid phase recovery line 33 as three types of lines for transferring a liquid.

  The isotope separation device 10A has a stable atmosphere around the spraying means 11 and the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12, such as a room where air conditioning can be managed, from the viewpoint of easier management and recovery of the floating time of the droplet 2. It is preferable to be installed in an environment.

  The spraying means 11 is configured by using, for example, an atomizer such as a spray nozzle, a sprayer, or an ultrasonic atomizer, and the liquid 1 to be processed that contains the isotope to be separated in the liquid. Spray (spray) in the form of a mist. Here, the minute droplet 2 refers to a droplet 2 having an average particle diameter of 100 micrometers [μm] or less. The lower limit of the average particle diameter of the droplets 2 is determined by the performance limit of the selected device.

  In the isotope separation apparatus 10A illustrated in FIG. 1, the spraying direction of the droplet 2 of the spraying means 11 is set in the vertically downward direction, but is not necessarily limited to the vertically downward direction. As long as the floating time can be controlled, it can be set arbitrarily (in all directions).

  Moreover, the position of the injection port of the spraying means 11 may be configured such that the position in the height direction (vertical (vertical) direction in FIG. 1) can be adjusted.

  The non-evaporated component collecting unit 12 is a component that collects the droplets 2 ejected from the spray unit 11 below the spray unit 11. The shape, size, and material of the non-evaporated matter collecting means 12 are arbitrary, but from the viewpoint of facilitating recovery of the non-evaporated matter 3, the material is preferably good in water repellency and good in water repellency. It is preferable to select a material that has been subjected to a surface treatment with good water repellency.

  The position adjusting unit 13 has a function of moving the unevaporated component collecting unit 12 to a desired height position within an adjustable range and fixing the unevaporated component collecting unit 12 at the position. The position adjusting means 13 adjusts the distance h from the injection port of the spraying means 11 to the liquid level formed by the non-evaporated part 3 by adjusting the position in the height direction of the non-evaporated part collecting means 12 (variable). ) The position adjustment of the non-evaporated component collecting unit 12 may be performed manually or automatically upon receiving a command from the control unit 16.

  The atmosphere information detection unit 14 detects physical quantities representing the state of the atmosphere, such as temperature, humidity, and pressure, of the atmosphere surrounding the space where the droplet 2 is jetted, floated, and partially evaporated.

  In the isotope separation device 10A, as the atmosphere information detection means 14, for example, a temperature detection unit 14a that detects the temperature of the atmosphere, a humidity detection unit 14b that detects the humidity of the atmosphere, and a pressure detection unit 14c that detects the pressure of the atmosphere. And is configured. The detection results detected by the temperature detector 14a, the humidity detector 14b, and the pressure detector 14c are sent to the control means 16.

  The liquid level detection means 15 detects the liquid level (liquid level) formed by the non-evaporated matter 3 collected by the non-evaporated matter collecting means 12. The detection result is sent to the control means 16.

  The control unit 16 has a function of controlling, for example, the height direction position (relative position) of the spray unit 11 and the non-evaporated component collection unit 12 and the operation state of the pump 321.

  The control means 16 changes the position in the height direction of at least one of the spraying means 11 and the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 with respect to the relative positions of the spraying means 11 and the non-evaporated part collecting means 12, and The distance h between the collecting and collecting means 12 is controlled. The distance h is controlled so as to have an appropriate floating time based on the physical quantity such as the temperature of the atmosphere detected by the atmosphere information detection unit 14 and the information on the liquid level detected by the liquid level detection unit 15.

  The transfer line 31 transfers the liquid 1 to the spraying means 11 via a two-way valve 311 that opens when the liquid 1 is supplied from a supply source (not shown) of the liquid 1 such as a liquid storage tank. It is a line provided with a flow path. In addition, when comprised so that the position of the height direction of the spray means 11 (injection port) can be adjusted, the position of the terminal of the transfer line 31 which is an injection port changes, and the distance from a supply source to an injection port will change. For this reason, at least a part of the transfer line 31 is provided with a place where the end position can be adjusted by adopting a flexible or stretchable pipe or joint.

  The return line 32 communicates, for example, the non-evaporated matter collecting means 12 (or the later-described non-evaporated matter collecting means 17: FIG. 6) where the non-evaporated matter 3 is collected and the junction P1 set on the transfer line 31. The non-evaporated matter collecting means 12 is a line including a flow path for returning the unevaporated matter 3 collected by the unevaporated matter collecting means 12 to the transfer line 31 (confluence P1) as necessary. The return amount of the non-evaporated component 3 to the transfer line 31 is adjusted in consideration of the concentration of isotopes contained in the non-evaporated component 3.

  In addition, when the position adjusting means 13 is provided and the collection position in the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 is configured to be adjustable, the position of the start end of the return line 32 that is a connection portion with the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 changes. For this reason, the return line 32 is provided with a position where the start position can be adjusted, for example, by adopting a pipe or joint having flexibility or stretchability at least in part.

  The return line 32 is provided with a pump 321 for transferring liquid. Furthermore, if necessary, a concentration monitoring unit 322 and valves 323 and 324 for opening and closing the flow path are provided. When the control means 16 having the control function of the pump 321 is provided, the operation state of the pump 321 is controlled by the control means 16 that controls based on the detection result of the liquid level (liquid level).

  The concentration monitoring unit 322 has a function of measuring the concentration of the isotope and a function of generating a command for switching the open / close state of the three-way valve 323 based on the concentration measurement result, and the three-way valve according to the measured concentration of the isotope. The open / close state of H.323 is switched. The white and black lines of the three-way valve 323 shown in FIG. 1 represent the open and closed states, respectively. The open / closed state of the three-way valve 323 illustrated in FIG. 1 indicates the flow toward the confluence P1. While the path is open, the flow path constituting the liquid phase recovery line 33 is closed.

  The liquid phase recovery line 33 is a line including a flow path for recovering the non-evaporated component 3 collected by the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 when, for example, the return to the transfer line 31 is stopped or reduced. is there. In the liquid phase recovery line 33, for example, a port on the liquid phase recovery line 33 side of the three-way valve 323 that is an inlet is opened when necessary to stop or reduce the return to the transfer line 31, and the liquid phase recovery line 33 moves toward the confluence P1. The flow path closes. The non-evaporated matter 3 collected by the flow path opening / closing operation of the three-way valve 323 is recovered through the liquid phase recovery line 33.

  Subsequently, the principle of the isotope separation processing procedure adopted by the isotope separation apparatus 10A will be described by taking an exchange reaction of water and hydrogen isotopes as an example.

  The exchange reaction of water and hydrogen isotopes is represented by the following formula (1). Here, α in the following formula (1) is a separation coefficient (equilibrium constant), which is a constant determined when the temperature is determined.

  The separation factor (equilibrium constant) α is also referred to as specific volatility, and is expressed as a partial pressure ratio between a perfect gas and an ideal solution as shown in the following formula (2). Here, x and y in the following formula (2) are the molar fractions of the gas phase and the liquid phase, respectively. P is a partial pressure. Note that a subscript attached to x or the like represents a substance name. For example, x attached with a subscript represents a gas phase mole fraction of the substance.

In addition, in the temperature range from 0 ° C. to 130 ° C. (273K ≦ T ≦ 403K), the natural logarithm (logarithm based on the Napier number e) of the partial pressure (partial pressure ratio) of H ₂ O with respect to the partial pressure of HTO is as follows. There is a report example in which Expression (3) is established. Further, it is known that the relationship of the vapor pressure of water containing a hydrogen isotope is expressed by the following equation (4).

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (graph) showing the relationship between the H ₂ O isotope temperature (horizontal axis) and the separation coefficient α (vertical axis), and more specifically, using the above equation (3). It is a graph showing the relationship of the separation coefficient (alpha) with respect to the temperature T to be obtained.

  From the relationship shown in FIG. 2, the separation factor α tends to increase as the temperature decreases. On the other hand, the lower the temperature, the slower the reaction rate. Therefore, in order to obtain a large separation coefficient α, it is necessary to improve the processing efficiency by adopting a method for increasing the reaction rate.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as a method for improving the reaction rate, a method for increasing the surface area by forming the liquid 1 to be processed into fine droplets is adopted. By adopting this method, the surface area that contributes to the evaporation of the liquid 1 to be treated can be increased, and the reaction can proceed at a higher speed than in the case where the droplets are not formed even at the same temperature. .

  Further, the evaporation amount of the liquid 1 to be processed is performed by controlling the floating time of the droplet 2 and the temperature of the atmosphere. It is known that the droplet radius of the liquid (here, water) due to evaporation of the droplet 2 obtained by making the liquid 1 to be processed into microdroplets can be obtained using the following equation (5).

  In order to separate the isotope from the liquid to be treated 1 (FIG. 1), it is necessary to generate a gas phase component (evaporated component), but it is not completely evaporated (droplet 2 remains as an unevaporated component 3). )It is necessary. Therefore, the position in the height direction of the non-evaporated component collecting means 12, more specifically, the distance h is set according to the evaporation speed of the droplet 2.

  The suspension time of the droplet 2 is sufficient if it is smaller than that of the droplet 2 immediately after being ejected from the spraying means 11 (initial stage). However, from the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of isotope separation, It is preferable that the ratio of the fraction (evaporated component) and the liquid phase component (non-evaporated component 3) is about 10% or more on the small amount side and less than about 90% on the large amount side. Further, it is more preferable that the small amount side is about 25% or more and the large amount side is less than about 75%, and the difference in the ratio between the gas phase component (evaporated component) and the liquid phase component (non-evaporated component 3) is within about 20%. Is more preferable if it falls within the range.

  FIG. 3 shows the floating time (horizontal axis) of the droplet 2 (FIG. 1) when the ambient (atmosphere) temperature is 25 ° C. and the average particle size is 20 μm at the start of floating (floating time 0 sec [sec]). It is explanatory drawing (graph) which shows the relationship of the average particle diameter (vertical axis) after progress.

  The droplet 2 evaporates with the passage of the floating time, and the average particle size becomes smaller than that at the start of floating. For example, when the average particle size of the droplet 2 immediately after being ejected from the spraying means 11 (at the initial time) is 20 μm, the average particle size of the droplet 2 when floating can be set by setting the floating time to about 25 seconds or more. The diameter can be 15 μm or less, which is 3/4 or less of the initial value (= 20 μm), and about half or more of the initial volume of the droplet 2 can be evaporated.

  When the ejection direction of the droplet 2 is the vertically downward direction illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be different depending on the characteristics of the spraying means 11, but in general, the droplet 2 is considered to fall freely. The position in the height direction of the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 set to ensure the floating time of the droplet 2 can be calculated using, for example, the following equation (8) that derives the Stokes terminal sedimentation velocity. it can. The control means 16 can use the calculation result of the position in the height direction of the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 using the following formula (8) for controlling the distance h.

  In addition to the diameter (average particle diameter) of the droplet 2 to be ejected, the floating time depends on the ejection speed of the droplet 2, the type of atmospheric gas (air, rare gas, etc.) and the state (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.). Also changes. Accordingly, considering the size and floating time of the droplet 2, the jet velocity of the droplet 2, the type of the atmospheric gas, the state of the atmospheric gas, the settling distance of the droplet 2, and the like, an appropriate distance h for isotopic separation is set. The spraying means 11 and the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 are configured to be settable.

  FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship between the floating time (horizontal axis) and the settling distance (vertical axis) with respect to the difference in size (average particle size) of the droplets 2 when the atmospheric temperature is 20 ° C. (normal pressure). It is a figure (graph).

  Point groups m1, m2, m3, m4 and m5 shown in FIG. 4 indicate the settling distances when the average particle size of the droplet 2 is 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10 and 20 μm, respectively. Expressed in meters [m].

  The larger the average particle size of the droplet 2, the shorter the floating time and the longer the settling distance. For any average particle size, the floating time and the settling distance are proportional to each other, and the longer the floating time, the longer the settling distance. In consideration of the results shown in FIG. 4, for example, the apparatus is set so that the distance h between the spraying means 11 and the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 is about 0.4 meters and the floating time is within 120 seconds [sec]. Is designed, the average particle size of the droplets 2 is preferably 10 μm or more.

  Next, the operation of the isotope separation device 10A will be described using the isotope separation device 10A shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

  The isotope separation apparatus 10 </ b> A first transfers the liquid 1 to be treated to the spraying means 11 through the transfer line 31. In the spraying means 11, the liquid 1 to be processed is made into fine droplets to generate droplets 2. The surface area that contributes to evaporation is increased by forming the liquid 1 to be processed into fine droplets.

  The generated liquid droplet 2 is ejected from the ejection port of the spraying means 11 into the atmosphere and floats for a set predetermined time or more. In the isotope separation device 10A, the floating time of the droplet 2 is controlled by controlling at least one of the size of the droplet 2, the ejection speed of the droplet 2, the type of the atmospheric gas, the state of the atmospheric gas, and the distance h. Is done.

  In addition, about the magnitude | size of the droplet 2, when the spraying means 11 has a function which controls the magnitude | size of the droplet 2, it performs using the said function, for example.

  Part of the droplets 2 ejected into the atmosphere evaporates in the process of floating in the atmosphere, and the rest remains as droplets 2. The non-evaporated component 3 remaining as the droplet 2 is collected by the non-evaporated component collecting means 12. Since the floating time of the droplet 2 becomes longer as it is lighter, the unevaporated component 3 remaining as the droplet 2 is relatively heavier than the evaporated component.

  The isotope separation device 10A suspends the droplet 2 to separate the droplet 2 into a gas phase component (evaporated component of the droplet 2) and a liquid phase component (unevaporated component 3 of the droplet 2), The isotope contained in the liquid 1 is separated into a relatively light component (light component) and a relatively heavy component (heavy component).

  In the isotope separation apparatus 10 </ b> A illustrated in FIG. 1, the unevaporated matter 3 collected by the unevaporated matter collecting means 12 is transferred through the return line 32. The transfer destination of the unevaporated component 3 is switched to the transfer line 31 (confluence point P1) or the liquid phase recovery line 33 by the three-way valve 323. The transfer destination is switched, for example, in consideration of the isotope concentration measured by the concentration monitoring unit 322.

  The above-described isotope separation apparatus 10A is an example, and is not limited to the above-described example, but isotopes may be modified by adding some components or omitting optional components. The separation device 10A can be configured.

  The isotope separation device 10A only needs to collect the droplet 2 remaining after spraying at least the liquid 1 to be treated as a fine droplet 2 and floating for a predetermined floating time. It is sufficient that the collecting means 12 is provided. In other words, in the isotope separation apparatus 10A described above, the position adjusting means 13, the atmosphere information detecting means 14, the liquid level detecting means 15, the control means 16, the return line 32, and the liquid phase recovery line 33 are optional components. Therefore, it is possible to configure the isotope separation device 10A by omitting at least one of these.

  For example, the above-described isotope separation apparatus 10A is an example that does not include a temperature adjusting unit for the liquid 1 to be processed, but the liquid to be processed such as a heater or a cooler in a supply source or transfer line 31 that is not illustrated. One temperature control means may be additionally provided.

  In addition, the above-described isotope separation apparatus 10A includes the position adjusting unit 13, but in the case where the distance h can be sufficiently adjusted only on the spraying unit 11 side, a configuration in which the position adjusting unit 13 is omitted is adopted. May be.

  Further, the above-described isotope separation apparatus 10A is configured to provide the return line 32 that collects the unevaporated component 3 using a machine and joins it to the transfer line 31, but the return line 32 is not necessarily provided. . Further, the liquid phase recovery line 33 branched from the return line 32 is not necessarily provided, and an omitted configuration may be adopted.

  In the isotope separation apparatus 10A, in addition to the addition and omission of the components as described above, the shape and elements can be changed. In the above-described isotope separation apparatus 10A, the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the non-evaporated component collecting means 12, FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example in which the collection surface 121 is flat, and FIG. 5B is a collection surface 121. It is the schematic which shows the structural example which is inclined.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the non-evaporated component collecting unit 12 and the non-evaporated component collecting unit 17, and FIG. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the non-evaporated component recovery unit 17 including a flat recovery surface 172. FIG.

  The collection surface of the non-evaporated component 3 of the non-evaporated component collection unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a flat collection surface (plane) 121 as illustrated in FIG. In view of facilitating collection, the inclined collection surface 122 may be configured as illustrated in FIG. 5B.

  Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, a perforated collecting surface 123 having a through hole is formed on the collecting surface of the non-evaporated component collecting means 12, or a collecting surface such as a scraper 18 is provided. A scraping means for rubbing (scratching) may be attached.

  In the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 having the perforated collecting surface 123, the non-evaporated component 3 can be easily recovered without moving the non-evaporated component collecting means 12, and the recovery efficiency of the non-evaporated component 3 can be improved. Can be increased. Further, the rubbing means can further reduce the amount of the non-evaporated component 3 remaining in the non-evaporated component collecting unit 12, and can improve the recovery efficiency of the non-evaporated component 3.

  When the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 having the perforated collecting surface 123 is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 6 (A), the non-evaporated component collecting means 12 (FIG. 1) separately from the non-evaporated component collecting means 12. A container-like non-evaporated component recovery means 17 for recovering the gas can be further provided. The collection surface of the non-evaporated component 3 in the evaporated component recovery means 17 may be an inclined recovery surface 171 (FIG. 6A) or a flat recovery surface 172 (FIG. 6B).

  Moreover, although the non-evaporated component collection | recovery means 17 shown by FIG. 6 is an example connected with the return line 32, the return line 32 may be abbreviate | omitted. That is, the non-evaporated component recovery means 17 may be configured as a simple container.

  Next, as an example of the isotope separation method according to the first embodiment, an isotope separation processing procedure using the isotope separation device 10A (hereinafter, referred to as “first isotope separation processing procedure”) will be described. To do.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart (flow chart) showing a flow of processing steps (step S1 to step S4) in the first isotope separation processing procedure.

  The first isotope separation processing procedure includes, for example, a step (step S1) in which a liquid 1 to be processed 1 containing an isotope is a minute droplet 2 (FIG. 1), and a minute droplet 2 is released into a predetermined space. (Spraying) and separating the discharged fine droplets 2 into a vaporized portion that evaporates while floating and a non-evaporated portion 3 that remains liquid even after the suspension, by floating for a predetermined time. (Step S2). Of the minute droplets 2 released into the predetermined space, the droplet 2 that has not been evaporated is collected (step S3).

  In the first isotope separation processing procedure, first, the spray means 11 (FIG. 1) generates minute droplets 2 of the liquid 1 to be processed containing isotopes (step S1). Subsequently, the generated minute droplet 2 is ejected from the spray means 11 to float the space. The droplet 2 partially evaporates and decreases in size in the released space, and arrives at the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 (FIG. 1) after the set floating time has elapsed (step S2). ). Subsequently, the remaining droplet 2 (non-evaporated portion 3) that does not evaporate is collected (step S3).

  If the first isotope separation processing procedure is to be ended after completion of step S3 (YES in step S4), the first isotope separation processing procedure is to end all processing steps (END). On the other hand, when the first isotope separation process procedure is not terminated (NO in step S4), the process flow returns to step S1, and the process steps after step S1 are performed.

  As described above, according to the isotope separation device 10A and the first isotope separation processing procedure, the liquid containing the isotope (the liquid 1 to be processed) is ejected as the minute droplets 2 and some of the droplets 2 are ejected. By evaporating, it can be separated into an evaporated component and an unevaporated component. While the vaporized portion of droplet 2 has relatively light isotopes, the unvaporized portion of droplet 2 has relatively heavy isotopes. By separating, isotopes contained in the liquid 1 to be treated can be separated.

  Since the isotope separation device 10A is configured to separate the isotopes by the spraying means 11 and the unevaporated fraction collecting means 12, conventional isotope separation such as a water distillation method, an isotope exchange method, and an electrolysis method are used. It is smaller than the isotope separation device that adopts the technology, and the processing cost can be reduced. That is, according to the isotope separation apparatus 10A and the first isotope separation processing procedure, it is possible to separate and recover isotopes present in the liquid 1 to be processed with a smaller size and lower processing costs. Can do.

  Further, by configuring the isotope separation device 10A so that the distance h between the spraying means 11 and the non-evaporated fraction collecting means 12 can be adjusted, the floating time of the droplet 2 can be appropriately controlled, and high separation is achieved. A state where efficiency is obtained can be maintained.

  By providing detection means in the isotope separation apparatus 10A, the state of the atmospheric gas (temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.) affecting the floating time of the droplet 2 and the distance h between the spray means 11 and the unevaporated fraction collection means 12 Can be detected, and the detection result can be used for setting the floating time for obtaining high separation efficiency. Further, by providing the control means 16 in the isotope separation apparatus 10A, the floating time for obtaining a high separation efficiency can be automatically set (by the control means 16).

  By providing the non-evaporated component recovery means 17 in the isotope separation apparatus 10A, the collected non-evaporated component 3 can be recovered while continuing to collect the non-evaporated component 3. In addition, by providing a rubbing means, the non-evaporated component 3 can be more efficiently collected and recovered.

  Moreover, in the isotope separation apparatus 10A, by providing the return line 32, it is possible to collect the collected unevaporated component 3 while continuing to collect the unevaporated component 3. Furthermore, since the isotope separation processing procedure such as the first isotope separation processing procedure (FIG. 7) can be repeated a plurality of times (in multiple cycles) in the isotope separation apparatus 10, the isotope is in a higher concentration state. Can be separated.

  In the isotope separation apparatus 10A, by providing the liquid phase recovery line 33 that branches from the return line 32, if it is not necessary to repeat the isotope separation processing procedure, the isotope separation processing procedure is not yet evaporated. The collected droplet 2 can be collected.

  Furthermore, by providing the concentration monitoring unit 322 in the return line 32, whether or not to continue the transfer of the unevaporated component 3 to the transfer line 31 according to the measured concentration of the isotope (the transfer to the transfer line 31 is stopped). Alternatively, it is possible to switch the transfer destination to collect).

  Note that the isotope separation apparatus 10A illustrated in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which each of the spraying means 11 and the unevaporated fraction collecting means 12 for separating isotopes is one (the number of separation stages is one). However, a plurality of isotope separation apparatuses 10A may be connected in series, and the number of separation stages may be increased to a plurality of stages.

[Second Embodiment]
The isotope separation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention manages the evaporation of droplets within a more spatially limited range with respect to the isotope separation device according to the first embodiment; This is different from the point provided with the evaporation recovery line for recovering the evaporation (gas phase) of the droplets generated within the range, but is not substantially different in other points. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the difference will be mainly described, and a description that substantially overlaps with the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of an isotope separation device 10B which is an example of an isotope separation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, from the viewpoint of preventing the complication of the drawing, a part of the configuration that is not substantially different from the isotope separation apparatus 10A such as the control means 16 is omitted.

  The isotope separation device 10B includes, for example, an evaporation control container 21 that spatially limits the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates with respect to the isotope separation device 10A, and an environment that controls the gas phase environment in the evaporation control container 21 A control means 22, a purge gas supply line 23 for supplying the purge gas 4 into the evaporation control container 21, and a gas phase recovery line 35 for recovering the gas phase portion including the evaporated droplet 2 from the evaporation control container 21 are provided. ing.

  In the isotope separation device 10B, the atmosphere information detection means 14 detects physical quantities representing the gas phase environment in the evaporation control vessel 21, such as temperature, humidity, and pressure.

  The environment control means 22 is for at least one of physical quantities representing a gas phase environment in the evaporation control vessel 21 such as a temperature control function for controlling temperature, a humidity control function for controlling humidity, and a pressure control function for controlling pressure. It has a function to control. The environment control means 22 controls the physical quantity so as to approach the target value based on the detected value of the physical quantity such as the temperature detected by the atmosphere information detection means 14.

  The temperature control means as the environment control means 22 can be configured using, for example, a heater or a cooler. The humidity control means as the environment control means 22 is, for example, a combination of a dryer that removes moisture from a gas, a moisture absorption element such as silica gel or a water-absorbing polymer, and an exhaust element that exhausts the gas phase portion in the container. Can be configured.

  The pressure control means as the environment control means 22 can be configured using, for example, a pressurization pump or a decompression pump.

  The purge gas supply line 23 is a flow path that connects a purge gas supply source (not shown in FIG. 8) for supplying the purge gas 4 and the evaporation control container 21. As the purge gas 4, for example, a chemically stable and dry gas such as dry air, nitrogen gas, or rare gas can be used.

  A valve 231 that can open and close a flow path communicating with the evaporation control vessel 21 is attached to the purge gas supply line 23. The switching between the open state and the closed state of the valve 231 may be performed based on the humidity detection value acquired from the atmosphere information detection unit 14 by the control unit 16 (not shown in FIG. 8).

  The vapor phase recovery line 35 is a line having a flow path for recovering the vapor phase portion (hereinafter referred to as “evaporation”) 5 including the droplets 2 evaporated in the evaporation control container 21 from the evaporation control container 21. . The vapor phase recovery line 35 generates, for example, a condensing unit 351 that condenses the evaporated component 5 that can contain the droplets 2 and removes moisture that may be mixed in the evaporated component 5, and a suction force that sucks the evaporated component 5. A suction pump 352 is provided.

  The condensing unit 351 includes, for example, a cooling unit that cools the evaporated component 5, a moisture removing unit that uses a hygroscopic agent such as silica gel, a gas-liquid separation membrane that separates the gas phase component and the liquid phase component, and a centrifuge. It can be configured using gas-liquid separation means or the like.

  The suction pump 352 generates a suction force for sucking the evaporated component 5 from the evaporation control container 21, and sucks the evaporated component 5 from the evaporation control container 21 to the vapor phase recovery line 35. The suction amount of the evaporated component 5 is set so as to be equal to or larger than the vapor pressure of the evaporated component 5 generated in the evaporation control container 21.

  The isotope separation device 10B configured in this manner separates and recovers the isotope present in the liquid 1 to be processed by partially evaporating the droplet 2 in the same manner as the isotope separation device 10A. The isotope separation device 10 </ b> B limits the evaporation range of the droplet 2 within the evaporation control container 21 and recovers the evaporated component 5 in the evaporation control container 21 from the vapor phase recovery line 35.

  In the isotope separation apparatus 10B provided with the environment control means 22, the environment control means 22 controls physical quantities representing the state of the atmosphere (vapor phase environment) in the evaporation control vessel 21, such as temperature, humidity, and pressure. Thus, the evaporation of the droplet 2 in the evaporation control container 21 is controlled.

  In the isotope separation apparatus 10B provided with the purge gas supply line 23, the atmosphere in the evaporation control vessel 21 can be kept dry by opening the valve 231 and supplying the purge gas 4 into the evaporation control vessel 21. , Promoting the evaporation of the droplet 2.

  Note that the vapor phase recovery line 35 illustrated in FIG. 8 is an example in which the condensing unit 351 and the suction pump 352 are provided, but it is not always necessary to provide both, and one of them may be omitted.

  For example, when only the condensing unit 351 is provided (the suction pump 352 is omitted), the pressure in the condensing unit 351 is lowered by the operation of the condensing unit 351, so the gas phase portion in the communicating evaporation control container 21 is aspirated. A suction force can be generated.

  Further, when the suction pump 352 has a capacity sufficient to transfer a gas in which a liquid such as a gas-liquid transfer pump capable of transferring the gas-liquid mixture is mixed, only the suction pump 352 is provided (the condensing unit 351 is omitted). You can).

  The isotope separation device 10B described above is an example in which an environment control means 22, a purge gas supply line 23, and a vapor phase recovery line 35 are further provided in addition to the evaporation control vessel 21 with respect to the isotope separation device 10A. However, the isotope separation apparatus 10B may be configured by omitting at least one of the environmental control means 22, the purge gas supply line 23, and the gas phase recovery line 35. In other words, the isotope separation device 10B only needs to further include an evaporation control vessel 21 that spatially limits the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates with respect to the isotope separation device 10A.

  For example, with respect to the isotope separation device 10A, an isotope separation device 10B further including an evaporation control vessel 21 and an environment control means 22, an isotope separation device 10B further including an evaporation control vessel 21 and a gas phase recovery line 35, etc. The components other than the evaporation control vessel 21 can be arbitrarily selected and provided.

  In the isotope separation device 10B illustrated in FIG. 8, one is provided in the return line 32 instead of one three-way valve 323 (FIG. 1), compared to the isotope separation device 10A illustrated in FIG. The two-way valve (opening / closing valve) 325 and one two-way valve 331 are provided in the liquid phase recovery line 33. As in the isotope separation apparatus 10A illustrated in FIG. Instead of the two-way valves 325 and 331, one three-way valve 323 may be provided at a branch point P2 between the return line 32 and the liquid phase recovery line 33.

  Next, as an example of the isotope separation method according to the second embodiment, an isotope separation processing procedure using the isotope separation device 10B (hereinafter referred to as a “second isotope separation processing procedure”) will be described. To do.

  The second isotope separation processing procedure is different from the first isotope separation processing procedure (FIG. 7) in that the place where step S1 and step S2 are performed is in the evaporation control vessel 21 (FIG. 8), and evaporation. However, there is no substantial difference in other points.

  The step of collecting the evaporated droplet 2 is after the generated minute droplet 2 has evaporated and before the end of the second isotope separation processing procedure, that is, after step S2 and step S4. It is performed at an earlier timing. The timing at which the step of collecting the evaporated droplet 2 is performed is not related to the step S3 (FIG. 7) of collecting the non-evaporated portion 3.

  Note that the second isotope separation processing procedure includes the step of supplying the purge gas 4 into the evaporation control vessel 21 and the temperature in the evaporation control vessel 21 from the viewpoint of accelerating the processing steps of steps S1 to S3. It may further include a step of controlling.

  As described above, according to the isotope separation device 10B and the second isotope separation processing procedure, similarly to the isotope separation device 10A and the first isotope separation processing procedure, the processing cost is smaller and the processing cost is lower. The isotopes present in the liquid 1 to be treated can be separated and recovered.

  According to the isotope separation device 10B and the second isotope separation processing procedure, the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates is limited to the evaporation control vessel 21 in which the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates is narrower than the isotope separation device 10A. Therefore, the gas phase environment can be controlled (stabilized) more easily, and as a result, the floating time of the droplet 2 can be controlled more stably.

  Further, in the isotope separation apparatus 10B, the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates can be limited to the evaporation control vessel 21, so that by providing a gas phase recovery line 35, only the unevaporated portion of the droplet 2 can be obtained. It is possible to collect the evaporated portion 5 of the droplet 2 as well.

  By providing the environment control means 22 in the isotope separation apparatus 10B, the setting of the floating time for separating the droplet 2 floating in the evaporation control vessel 21 with isotope separation with higher separation efficiency (the environment control means 22 ) Can be done automatically. Further, the environment control means 22 controls the physical quantity representing the gas phase environment in the evaporation control container 21 such as temperature, humidity and pressure, for example, so that the evaporation amount of the droplet 2 is finer than that of the isotope separation apparatus 10A. Since it can be controlled, isotope separation can be performed more stably.

  By providing the purge gas supply line 23 in the isotope separation apparatus 10 </ b> B, a chemically stable and dry gas such as dry air, nitrogen gas, or rare gas is supplied into the evaporation control container 21. The inside of the evaporation control container 21 can be kept at a low humidity. Therefore, the inside of the evaporation control container 21 can be maintained in an environment where the evaporation of the droplet 2 is promoted, and the evaporation amount of the droplet 2 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently recover the isotope even for the liquid to be treated 1 in which the concentration of water containing the isotope is increased.

  As described above, according to the isotope separation method using the isotope separation devices 10A and 10B and the isotope separation devices 10A and 10B, the isotope present in the liquid 1 to be processed is smaller than the conventional method and the processing cost is reduced. The body can be separated and recovered.

  Further, by providing the return line 32, the isotope separation processing procedure such as the first isotope separation processing procedure (FIG. 7) can be repeated in the isotope separation device, so that the isotope is in a higher concentration state. Can be separated.

  Furthermore, by providing a liquid phase recovery line 33 that branches off from the return line 32, when the repetition of the isotope separation processing procedure is unnecessary, the droplet 2 that has not been evaporated even if the isotope separation processing procedure is performed. Can be recovered.

  In the isotope separation device 10B, since the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates is narrower than that of the isotope separation device 10A, the gas phase environment can be controlled (stabilized) more easily, and the floating time of the droplet 2 can be reduced. It can be controlled more stably.

  Further, in the isotope separation apparatus 10B, the range in which the droplet 2 evaporates can be limited to the evaporation control vessel 21, so that by providing a gas phase recovery line 35, only the unevaporated portion of the droplet 2 can be obtained. It is possible to collect the evaporated portion 5 of the droplet 2 as well.

  By providing the environment control means 22 in the isotope separation apparatus 10B, the setting of the floating time for separating the droplet 2 floating in the evaporation control vessel 21 with isotope separation with higher separation efficiency (the environment control means 22 ) Can be done automatically. Further, the environment control means 22 controls the physical quantity representing the gas phase environment in the evaporation control container 21 such as temperature, humidity and pressure, for example, so that the evaporation amount of the droplet 2 is finer than that of the isotope separation apparatus 10A. Since it can be controlled, isotope separation can be performed more stably.

  By providing the purge gas supply line 23 in the isotope separation apparatus 10 </ b> B, a chemically stable and dry gas such as dry air, nitrogen gas, or rare gas is supplied into the evaporation control container 21. The evaporation environment of the droplet 2 in the evaporation control container 21 can be controlled.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be implemented in various forms other than the above-described examples in the implementation stage. The present invention can be variously omitted, added, replaced, and changed without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid to be processed, 2 ... Droplet, 3 ... Unevaporated component, 4 ... Purge gas, 5 ... Evaporated component, 10A, 10B ... Isotope separation device, 11 ... Spraying means, 12 ... Unevaporated component collecting means, 121 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Flat collection surface, 122 ... Inclined collection surface, 123 ... Perforated collection surface, 13 ... Position adjustment means, 14 ... Atmosphere information detection means, 14a ... Temperature detection part (temperature detection means), 14b ... Humidity Detection unit (humidity detection unit), 15c ... Pressure detection unit (pressure detection unit), 15 ... Liquid level detection unit, 16 ... Control unit, 17 ... Unevaporated component recovery unit, 18 ... Scraper (scraping unit), 21 ... Evaporation Control container, 22 ... Environmental control means, 23 ... Purge gas supply line, 231 ... Two-way valve, 31 ... Transfer line, 311 ... Two-way valve, 32 ... Return line, 321 ... Pump, 322 ... Concentration monitoring unit (concentration measuring means) , Flow path opening / closing control means), 323... , 324, 325 ... two-way valve, 33 ... liquid phase recovery line, 331 ... two-way valve, 35 ... gas phase recovery line, 351 ... condenser (condensing means), 352 ... suction pump, P1 ... transfer line and return line P2 ... A branch point from the return line to the recovery line.

Claims (15)

Spraying means for ejecting a liquid containing an isotope present in the liquid as fine droplets;
An isotope separation device comprising: an unevaporated component collecting unit that collects an unevaporated component of the droplets ejected from the spraying unit. A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the atmosphere in which the droplets evaporate, a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity of the atmosphere, a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure of the atmosphere, and the unevaporated portion of the droplets are collected The isotope separation according to claim 1, comprising at least one of detection units as a detection unit among liquid level detection units for detecting the liquid level of the droplets collected in the receiving unit of the non-evaporated component collection unit. apparatus. Position adjusting means for adjusting the position of at least one of the spraying means and the non-evaporated component collecting means;
At least one of the physical quantities detected by at least one of the temperature detection unit, the humidity detection unit, the pressure detection unit, and the liquid level detection unit is used to control the position adjusting unit to control the spraying. The isotope separation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that controls a distance between the unit and the unevaporated component collecting unit. The isotope separation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position adjusting unit that adjusts a position of at least one of the spraying unit and the non-evaporated component collecting unit. The isotope separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a through hole is provided in a collection surface for collecting the unevaporated component of the droplet. The isotope separation apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an unevaporated component recovery unit that receives and recovers the unevaporated component of the droplet passing through the through hole. The isotope separation apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a rubbing means for rubbing the collecting surface of the non-evaporated component collecting means. A return line is provided on a transfer line for transferring the liquid containing the isotope to the spraying means and located upstream of the spraying means for transferring the unevaporated liquid droplets. The isotope separation device according to any one of 1 to 7. Branching from the return line and providing a recovery line for recovering the unevaporated content of the droplets;
A first flow path opening / closing state in which the transfer destination of the unevaporated liquid droplets flowing through the return line is a transfer line for transferring the liquid containing the isotope to the spraying means, and the flow constituting the recovery line The return line and the recovery line are channel opening / closing means for switching between a second channel opening / closing state that opens the path and uses a transfer destination of the unevaporated portion of the droplets flowing through the return line as the recovery line. The isotope separation device according to claim 8 provided in the above. Concentration measuring means for measuring the concentration of isotopes contained in the unevaporated portion of the droplet flowing through the return line is provided in the return line, and further, according to the measurement result of the concentration measuring means, The isotope separation device according to claim 9, further comprising: a channel opening / closing control unit that switches a state to the first opening / closing state or the second opening / closing state. The isotope separation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an evaporation control container that accommodates the spraying means and the non-evaporated component collecting means and restricts the evaporation range of the droplets within the container. apparatus. The isotope separation device according to claim 11, further comprising a vapor phase recovery line for recovering the evaporated portion of the droplet from the evaporation control container. The isotope separation apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a purge gas supply line for supplying a purge gas to the inside of the evaporation control container. The environment control means which controls at least one physical quantity selected from temperature, humidity, and pressure among physical quantities showing the state of the atmosphere inside the evaporation control container is further provided. The isotope separation apparatus described. Making the liquid containing the isotope present in the liquid a fine droplet;
A step of discharging the minute droplets into a predetermined space and separating the droplets into a droplet that floats and evaporates over a predetermined time and a droplet that floats and does not evaporate in the predetermined time or less. Isotope separation method.

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