GB1008475A - Production of hydrogen fractions enriched in deuterium - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:1008475/C1/1> A deuterium - enriched hydrogen fraction is produced from elementary hydrogen by subjecting the latter at temperatures below - 100 DEG C. to the reaction 2HD = H2+D2 by contact with a composition capable of both catalytically promoting the isotope exchange reaction and preferentially adsorbing either deuterium or hydrogen at the reaction temperature. The adsorbed fraction may be recovered by desorption. By continuously recycling one fraction pure D2 may be recovered. Suitable adsorbing catalysts include metallic iron, nickel or tungsten of surface area at least 1 m2/gm., prepared by reduction of the corresponding oxide; silica or alumina may be used in addition to the catalytic adsorbent. Vertical adorption column 1 has catalyst inlet 2 and outlet 6, feed-gas inlet 3 and overhead gas outlet 4, desorbed gas outlet 5. In an example a Co-conversion catalyst consisting of 96% Fe2O3, 4% Cr2O3 was reduced with dry H2, cooled in an inert gas (He, A) to - 150 DEG C. and introduced into section A of column 1 together with hydrogen containing 0.015% deuterium. Adsorption, rectifying and stripping sections A, B, C were maintained at - 195 DEG , - 195 DEG , - 150 DEG C. respectively. The reflux ratio of the ascending gas was such as to produce 0.15% deuterium in the bottom product. (This may be fed into other columns for further enrichment.)