procedure for extraction of tritium and possibly protium

摘要

A process for the extraction of tritium from a liquid heavy water stream comprising contacting the liquid heavy water with a countercurrent gaseous deuterium in a column packed with a water-repellent catalyst, preferably a Group VIII metal having a water- repellent gas and water-permeable coating of an organic polymer or resin, such that tritium is transferred by isotopic exchange from the liquid heavy water stream to the gaseous deuterium stream, passing the gas enriched in tritium from the column through for example a cryogenic distillation column for removing tritium therefrom, returning the gas lean in tritium to the column and obtaining a liquid heavy water output from the column, said heavy water being reduced in tritium content. Feed water is preferably purified before passing through the column, and the gas stream from the column is purified prior to separation of the tritium.