HYDROGEN ISOTOPE-SEPARATION INSTALLATION FOR TRITIUM FACILITY

The separation of hydrogen isotopes in the hydrogen - palladium system in sectioned separation columns with the simulation of counter-curren t isotopic exchange is described. The separation efficiency of section ed columns is investigated with the experimental installation as a fun ction of various parameters. The separation of deuterium-tritium mixtu res with high tritium concentrations is tested with the pilot installa tion operating at room temperature and atmospheric hydrogen pressure. Due to very high separation efficiency, flexibility and simplicity of operation separation installations with sectioned columns are ideally suitable for tritium laboratories and facilities dealing with separati on of hydrogen isotopes. Estimation of applicability of sectioned colu mns for regeneration of exhaust gas in a fuel cycle of thermonuclear r eactors, such as JET and ITER, shows the number of advantages of separ ation installations with sectioned columns.