ИСТИНА

Because of the active development of nuclear industry, issues related to the hydrogen isotopic mixtures separation became actual: heavy water deprotiation, heavy and light water waste detritiation, heavy water production from natural raw materials. Chemical isotope exchange in the water-hydrogen system is a perspective separation method. However, the realization of this process according to CECE technology with an electrolyzer as a lower flow reversal unit (LFRU) is energy-intensive, which limits its use in large-scale plants. The dual-temperature isotope separation scheme is significantly less energy consuming. The principle of method is the use of a “hot” column as LFRU. In this case, the separation efficiency is determined by the temperature difference in the “hot” and “cold” columns. For the water-hydrogen system, the possible temperature range depends on the catalyst activity. New generation catalysts is developed and researched in Mendeleev University. A high mass transfer efficiency is shown on a sample of Pt/CDVB catalyst at a temperature T = 293 K: for a counter-current column (D = 30 mm) with independent flows HETP does not exceed 16 cm. Thus, in contrast to the CECE process carried out at T = 323-343K, using of a new catalyst renders possible operation of the cold column it near room temperature. Thermodynamic analysis shows that due to the great dependence of the separation factor on the temperature in the water-hydrogen system at atmospheric pressure, the process can be carried out from Tcold = 293K to Thot = 363K, providing a high isotope extraction degree. Thus, the development of new catalysts for the hydrogen isotope exchange expands the possibilities of practical use of the water-hydrogen system.