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

摘要

An electrolytic pre-enrichment of a feed stream to a combined electrolysisnd catalytic exchange ("CECE") heavy water production process. A deuterium enriched liquid or vapour stream from electrolytic cells is applied as a feed to 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.