FULL-SCALE EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF THE VARIOUS TYPE MASS-EXCHANGE PACKINGS BY WATER DISTILLATION

The full scale experimental assembly for study of water distillation a nd experimental Deprotization Plant are described. The packed sections height of the assembly was 2000 mm. Their inner diameters were from 8 0 to 150 mm. Characteristics of water distillation columns were studie d for three species of random packing. The overall height equivalent t o a theoretical plate (HETP) values measured during total reflux mode showed no apparent dependence on vapor flow rate and pressure. The spi ral prismatic packing has the HETP value of 26 mm and 43 mm for column of 80 and 150 mm respectively. The ring packing (type Dixon ring) fro m brass gauze has the smallest pressure drop and the larger operating flow rate of vapor. The Deprotization Plant was built and successfully operates. It allows to remove up to 20 kg H2O per year and upgrade th e concentration in heavy water reflector of critical assembly on the l evel 99.8% D2O. In addition the plant has a possibility for reprocessi ng of heavy water wastes.