Progress of Cryogenics and Isotopes Separation , ISSN: 1582-2575
2002, Volume 5, Issue 9+10

Simulation and Modeling of the Processes in the Isotopic Exchange Column of a Cryogenic Pilot Plant for Tritium Separation

Abstract

The technology developed at the Institute of Cryogenics and Isotope Separations is based on catalytic isotope exchange between water and hydrogen gas both carrying various isotopes of hydrogen: normal hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium. This isotope exchange is followed by cryogenic distillation separating the various isotopes of hydrogen gas. The detritiation process was simulated using as working fluids water with a small content of deuterium and a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and deuterium.
The mathematical model and the measured parameters permitted to compute the speed constants of the isotopic exchange by distillation, respective by catalytic action, for deuterium and tritium.
Also for monitoring the isotopic exchange column is necessary to control the temperature very carefully. For that we made an automation system with data acquisition and control which provide all data for analyze.