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HOW LINDE MAKES HEAVY WATER FROM HYDROGEN

Journal Article · · Chem. Eng.
OSTI ID:4215757
A heavy water plant to be operated in conjunction with an ammonium nitrate fertilizer plant is described. Initial electrolytic deuterium enrichment of hydrogen takes place in a three-stage water electrolysis plant. A part of the hydrogen produced for the ammonia synthesis plant is run through the hydrogen distillation plant, the deuterium drained off, and the hydrogen returned. Natural water is used to scrub deuterium from electrolytic hydrogen before feeding to the cells. Contaminants such as water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are frozen out, and the purified enriched hydrogen is fractionated following an interim step which catalyzes concentrated HD to an equilibrium mixture of D/sub 2/ , HD, and H/sub 2/. Pure oxygen burns the final fractionation product to water containing 99.8% deuterium oxide. (J.R.D.)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-13-018763
OSTI ID:
4215757
Journal Information:
Chem. Eng., Journal Name: Chem. Eng. Vol. Vol: 66, No. 4
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English