CPC C01B 23/0094 (2013.01) [B01D 53/005 (2013.01); B01D 53/007 (2013.01); B01D 53/14 (2013.01); B01D 2251/40 (2013.01); B01D 2256/18 (2013.01); B01D 2259/4533 (2013.01); C01B 2210/0004 (2013.01); C01B 2210/0009 (2013.01); C01B 2210/0029 (2013.01); C01B 2210/0046 (2013.01); C01B 2210/0053 (2013.01); C01B 2210/007 (2013.01)] | 11 Claims |
1. A method of producing a hyperpolarized noble gas, comprising:
mixing a noble gas with an initial buffer gas to form a mixture such that the noble gas is present in the mixture at a first concentration;
spin-exchange optical pumping the mixture to hyperpolarize the noble gas; and
removing the buffer gas from the mixture so as to isolate the hyperpolarized noble gas whilst maintaining the hyperpolarization by:
reacting the buffer gas present in the mixture comprising the buffer gas and hyperpolarized noble gas to produce a reaction product different to the buffer gas, wherein reacting the buffer gas comprises at least one of:
(i) oxidising the buffer gas by one or more of combustion and induced plasma;
(ii) introducing oxygen (O2) into the mixture comprising the buffer gas and the hyperpolarized noble gas, and combusting the buffer gas;
(iii) introducing oxygen (O02) into the mixture comprising the buffer gas and the hyperpolarized noble gas in the presence of a catalyst, and catalytically removing the buffer gas;
(iv) passing the mixture comprising the buffer gas and the hyperpolarized noble gas over or through an oxidizing agent; and
(v) oxidizing an alkaline earth metal using the buffer gas.
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