Counterflow hydrogen isotope separation facility — data on tritium activities

This paper describes the results of research on the performance of the pilot hydrogen isotope separation facility based on continuous counterflow separation in a hydrogen–palladium system. Phase counterflow in the facility is accomplished through the palladium solid hydride phase motion relative to stationary flow inversion units. The separation column is of a sectional type. It is made up of 12 in-series connected sections of 0.06 m height; nine of them represent a separation zone. The total amount of palladium in the facility is 175.5 g. The facility is operated in a periodic mode with storage vessels for light and heavy components of the separated mixture. During experimental separation of a D–T mix, maximum concentration of the tritium obtained was ∼96%. The minimum concentration of tritium remaining in the mix was ∼0.1%. This facility permitted gas processing up to 4.5 mol/day.