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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Process for the production of high purity deuterium. [electrolysis of heavy water]

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5312052

A process for the electrolysis of heavy water which results in the production of high purity deuterium without periodic replenishment of the electrolyte with additional deuterated compounds is defined. Electrolysis is effected through the use of an inexpensive cation-action permselective membrane which is essentially a solid polymer electrolyte and which is capable of automatically separating the evolved deuterium and oxygen gas. This cation-active permselective membrane does not introduce any intrinsic impurities or tritium contamination in the generated deuterium gas, does not require periodic revitalization with deuterated compounds or other chemical compounds, and is characterized by an unusually high electrical efficiency.

Assignee:
TIC; EDB-78-033101; ERA-03-015562
Patent Number(s):
US 4054496
OSTI ID:
5312052
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English