Process for obtaining water or hydrogen with an increased deuterium content

摘要

In a modification of the process of the parent Specification for the production of water or hydrogen enriched with deuterium, H2 containing N2 or other impurities which impair the efficacy of the exchange catalyst is merely conducted through a transfer column operating at below 60 DEG C. in countercurrent to the water containing the catalyst in suspension or colloidal solution. The water, containing the catalyst, after contacting the hydrogen, entering at 15, in transfer column 11, operating at below 45 DEG C., is passed in a closed cycle by 111 through cold tower 12 at 20 DEG C., and hot tower 13 at 200 DEG C. to transfer column 11 at 17. A separate closed cycle of pure H2 is maintained between the hot and cold columns at 114. The water in the transfer column becomes enriched in D, and may be degassed between the transfer and cold columns, e.g. by expansion pump, to remove dissolved N2.