Apparatus for producing hydrogen

Abstract

An apparatus for producing hydrogen is able to measure a position of a interface or a surface boundary of liquids in a reaction vessel without direct contact. An apparatus for producing hydrogen by an IS process includes a reaction vessel, a radiation source, a radiation detector, and a data processing unit. Reacting liquids are to be introduced in the reaction vessel. The radiation source is provided at a first side wall of the reaction vessel. The radiation detector is provided at a second side wall which faces the first side wall provided with the radiation source. The data processing unit is connected to the radiation detector, which receives radiation data transmitted through the reaction vessel, from the radiation detector. The radiation data processing unit estimates constituents and concentrations of the reacting liquids from the radiation data.

1 . An apparatus for producing hydrogen by an IS process, comprising: 
 a reaction vessel, in which reacting liquids are to be introduced;    a radiation source provided at a first side wall of the reaction vessel;    a radiation detector provided at a second side wall which faces the first side wall provided with the radiation source; and    a data processing unit, connected to the radiation detector, which receives radiation data transmitted through the reaction vessel, from the radiation detector, 
 wherein the radiation data processing unit estimates constituents and concentrations of the reacting liquids from the radiation data.  
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for producing hydrogen by an IS process according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiation data processing unit further estimates a position of a boundary surface of the reacting liquids from the radiation data.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for producing hydrogen by an IS process according to  claim 2 , wherein; 
 the radiation source is a neutron source,    the data processing unit estimates the position of the boundary surface of the reacting liquids according to an attenuation of a predetermined energy, 
 wherein the predetermined energy corresponds to a neutron resonance absorption of a constituent of at least one of the reacting liquids.  
   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for producing hydrogen by an IS process according to  claim 1 , wherein; 
 the radiation source is a neutron source,    the data processing unit estimates constituents and concentrations of the reacting liquids according to a count of neutron capture gamma-rays that is constituent characteristic of at least one of the reacting liquids.