METHOD OF PRODUCING HEAVY WATER INVOLVING CATALYTIC-ELECTROLYTIC EXCHANGE PROCESSES

摘要

A composite deuterium exchange process incorporating a catalytic exchange region and electrolytic cell region having an anode and cathode separated from each other by an electrolyte permeable diaphragm with liquid water and hydrogen gas being cycled through the two regions. It is preferred that the catalyst used in the catalytic exchange region is one that comprises at least one catalytically active metal selected from Group VIII of the periodic table and have a sealing coating directly thereon of waterproof (impermeable to liquid water) resin and are permeable to water vapor from the liquid water and hydrogen gas permeate the coating to contact the catalytically active metal thereby to exchange hydrogen isotopes, while the coating retards poisoning of the catalyst by liquid water.