Method for isotope replenishment in an exchange liquid used in a laser induced isotope enrichment process

摘要

A method is described and claimed for the replenishment of deuterium or tritium concentration in a laser isotope separation process for the production of D2O, or for the recovery of tritium from contaminated D2O or H2O. A working compound is selectively photodissociated by a laser beam and is replenished by contacting an exchange liquid in a countercurrent fashion in a first contacting column. The exchange liquid is replenished with isotope by in turn being contacted with a feed stream in a second contacting apparatus. This second contacting apparatus may be a gas/liquid or liquid/liquid contacting apparatus and the countercurrent flows therein may be about equal or unequal.