AMMONIA PROCESS FOR DEUTERIUM CONCENTRATION

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1951

OSTI ID:4208104

Thompson, W I

A new chemical exchange process for the production of heavy water involves first the transfer of deuterium from water of natural abundance to ammonia. No concentration takes place in this step. The deuterated ammonia, which is at somewhat less than the natural abundance level, is then concentrated in a dual temperature exchange system against gaseous hydrogen. The product is removed as a solution of NH/sub 2/D in anhydrous liquid ammonia. A study was made of the process to determine the effect of some of the significant process variables on the design of a plant. A preliminary attempt was made to optimize the more importamt factors. Based on the most reliable data that could be found and optimistic assumptions where data were lacking, a plant was designed to reoover the equivalent of 50 tons per year of DP from water of natural abundance. In particular, the design of the exchange towers was made with very favorable assumptions in mass transfer rate, in lieu of appropriate test data. The cost of such a plant has been estimated at about 84,800,000, and it is estimated that ihe heavy water can be produced for approximately /1b. (auth)

• Research Organization: Ferguson (H.K.) Co. Atomic Energy Div., New York
• NSA Number: NSA-13-023134
• OSTI ID: 4208104
• Report Number(s): HKF-113
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AMMONIA
DEUTERIUM
DIFFUSION
ECONOMICS
GASES
HEAVY WATER
HYDROGEN
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPIC EXCHANGE
LIQUIDS
PRODUCTION
QUANTITY RATIO
STABLE ISOTOPE SEPARATION
TEMPERATURE
WATER