METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC TRITIUM EXTRACTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC WATER VAPOUR Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC G01N1/22 G01T1/167 

FIELD: tritium production.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the method and device for automatic tritium extraction from atmospheric water vapour through the use of a freeze trap. The method comprises the first stage of condensing water vapour by cooling a section of the freeze trap, and the second stage of recuperating the ice formed during the first stage into liquid condensate. The air is contained within the extraction case which is used to remove water from the extracted air; the cooling section of the freeze trap is also positioned within the extraction case. During the first stage the freeze trap, which is kept at a temperature below 0° C, is activated during a specified period of time with the possibility of ice formation on the freeze trap cooling section. During the second stage the previously cooled section of the freeze trap is heated by stopping the freeze trap cooling, and liquid condensate, which is formed after ice melting, is collected. The device comprises a movable case for air extraction, which includes a pipe coil connected through a pump with an external liquid nitrogen tank, and a water tank positioned under the coil pipe.

EFFECT: device responsiveness improvement; sampling time reduction; prevents contamination of one sample by another sample.

9 cl, 1 dwg