JPS5856431B

PURPOSE:To exercise easy and accurate control over the amount of injected oxygen by providing an oxygen ion conductive solid-state electrolyte element at the tip of an oxygen injector and by controlling a current flowing through this element. CONSTITUTION:Oxygen injection part 1, equipped with oxygen-ion conductive solid-state electrolyte element (called a solid electrolyte hereafter) 3 at its tip, is dipped in liquid metal sodium 6 being held by stainless pipe 5. Then, DC voltage generator 11 gives a difference in potential across solid-state electrolyte 3 and liquid metal sodium 6 and platinum porous electrode 7 are set to positive and negative polarities respectively. Consequently, oxygen gas led in from the outside of oxygen injection part 1 is changed by platinum porous electrode 7 into oxygen ions, which are injected into liquid metal sodium 6 and at the same time, charges are carried. Then, a current flows through a closed circuit extending from DC voltage generator 11 to connection cord 16 and its intensity is determined by the difference in potential across DC voltage generator 11, so that the amount of injected oxygen can be controlled by adjusting variable resistor 15.