| 摘要 |
<p>12595 IMPROVED HYDROGEN-WATER ISOTOPIC EXCHANGE PROCESS Deuterium is concentrated in a hydrogen-water isotopic exchange process enhanced by the use of catalyst materials in cold and hot tower contacting zones. Water is employed in a closed liquid recirculation loop that includes the cold tower, in which deuterium is concentrated in the water, and the upper portion of the hot tower in which said deuterium is concentrated in the hydrogen stream. Feed water is fed to the lower portion of said hot tower for contact with the circulating hydrogen stream. The feed water does not contact the water in the closed loop. Catalyst employed in the cold tower and the upper portion of the hot tower, preferably higher quality material, is isolated from impurities in the feed water that contacts only the catalyst, preferably of lower quality, in the lower portion of the hot zone. The catalyst materials are desirably employed in hydrophobic catalyst systems so as to to retard fouling by liquid water while maintaining the accessibility of the catalyst for isotopic exchange between hydrogen and water vapor. Hydrophobic treating materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene or silicone resins can be employed. The hydrogen stream is desirably heated and humidified prior to entering the lower portion of the hot zone and cooled and dehumidified prior to passage to the cold tower. The closed loop water passes from the cold zone to the 12595 dehumidification zone, and a portion of said water leaving the upper portion of the hot tower can be passed to the humidification zone and thereafter recycled to said closed loop. Deuterium concentration is enhanced in said catalytic hydrogen-water system while undue retarding of catalyst activity is avoided. SPECIFICATION</p> |
