ELECTROLYTIC PRE-ENRICHMENT FOR THE COMBINED ELECTROLYSIS AND CATALYTIC EXCHANGE PROCESS

摘要

An electrolytic pre-enrichment of a feed stream to a combined electrolysis and catalytic exchange ('CECE') heavy water production process. A deuterium enriched liquid or vapour stream from electrolytic cells is applied as a feed of the first stage of a CECE deuterium enrichment process. By deploying a portion of available electrolytic cell capacity in the pre-enrichment stage, advantages are achieved, particularly where available electrical power fluctuates or when a 'turned down' CECE process is desired.