Development of advanced concepts for improved heavy water production technology. Tri-quarterly report, January 1-September 30, 1980

Technical Report · Thu Nov 06 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6669941· OSTI ID:6669941

Aldridge, F T; Herman, I P; Marling, J B; Wood, L L

Research into deuterium-from-protium isotope separation via both metal hydride chromatography and CO/sub 2/ laser multiple-photon dissociation (MPD) of trifluoromethane (CDF/sub 3//CHF/sub 3/) is discussed. Several new classes of alloy compositions, including Mg-rare earth, NiTi/sub x/, and (Ca+Ce,Zr,Ti)./sub 8//sup -/Ni/sub 4/Cu compounds, were evaluated for chromatograhic isotope separation; no tested alloy exhibited properties suitable for commercial deuterium separation. For deuterium separation by MPD of CDF/sub 3/, construction of a CO/sub 2/ laser system was completed that is capable of delivering either 2 nsec short pulses at a single wavelength or 200 nsec long pulses simulatneously at two different laser frequencies. The wavelength dependence of single-line multiple-photon dissociation probability of CDF/sub 3/ was measured, and is reported here. Deuterium separation by CO/sub 2/ laser photolysis of CDF/sub 3//CHF/sub 3/ near 10.3 ..mu.. using approx. 2 nsec pulses still appears to be a commercially viable process for heavy water production.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6669941
• Report Number(s): UCID-17736-80-1-2-3; TRN: 81-004672
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
DEUTERIUM
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
HEAVY WATER
PRODUCTION
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
GAS LASERS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
LASERS
LIGHT NUCLEI
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STABLE ISOTOPES
WATER
070101* - Heavy Water Production