Process for Hydrogen Isotope Separation using hydrofluorocarbons.

摘要

The concentration of deuterium relative to hydrogen in a hydrofluorocarbon is increased by contacting the hydrofluorocarbon, in the presence of an alkali metal amide, with an amine having a concentration of deuterium that is greater than that which provides equilibrium with the hydrofluorocarbon. In a preferred embodiment, a compound enriched in deuterium is produced by first exposing trifluoromethane to infrared laser radiation to selectively cause a chemical reaction involving deuterium-containing molecules. The deuterium-depleted trlfluoromethane is deuterium replenished by exchange with an amine, and the compound enriched in deuterium is converted to heavy water. Heavy water is useful in certain types of nuclear reactors.