Apparatus for separating and recovering hydrogen isotopes

Patent · Tue May 17 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:7203158

Heung, L K

An apparatus is described for recovering hydrogen and separating its isotopes. The apparatus includes a housing bearing with at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A baffle is disposed within the housing, attached thereto by a bracket. A hollow conduit is coiled about the baffle, in spaced relation to the baffle and the housing. The coiled conduit is at least partially filled with a hydride. The hydride can be heated to a high temperature and cooled to a low temperature quickly by circulating a heat transfer fluid in the housing. The spacing between the baffle and the housing maximizes the heat exchange rate between the fluid in the housing and the hydride in the conduit. The apparatus can be used to recover hydrogen isotopes (protium, deuterium and tritium) from gaseous mixtures, or to separate hydrogen isotopes from each other. 2 figures.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5312597; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-967491
• OSTI ID: 7203158
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
070100* -- Physical Isotope Separation
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DESIGN
DEUTERIUM
HEATING
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN 1
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PROCESSING
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STABLE ISOTOPES
TRITIUM
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES