Estimate of hydrogen-metal (intermetallic compound) hydride system efficiency for ternary H-D-T isotope mixture separation

The study is aimed at developing the calculation algorithm for determination of the main process parameters of the sorption apparatus for ternary H-D-T isotope mixture separation. The principle scheme of the system used for regeneration of thermonuclear reactor spent fuel is considered. The formulae describing interrelations between the separation coefficients and mass exchange characteristics determined for hydrogen isotope binary mixtures, and parameters determining isotope equilibrium and mass exchange kinetics in the system including gas and solid hydride phase with three isotopes are derived. Basing on the analysis of optimization calculation results for apparatus separation part the comparison of different sorbent efficiencies is made. The conclusion is made that the minimum volume of the column separation part is provided when it is filled with palladium sorbent. But in connection with palladium high cost application of the intermetallic compound Ti0,8Zr0,2CrMn is more desirable from the economic point of view. Application of LaNi5 as an sorbent gives the smallest efficiency