The separation of hydrogen isotopes mixture on modified zeolites by gas-solid processes

Experimental investigations performed at the JRC Ispra laboratories on the possible use of processes are reported. At this end the hydrogen-deuterium separation on Na- and (Ca-Na)-mordenite has been performed by gas-chromatography techniques and the following variables have been explored: flow rate, temperature, pressure and concentrations of adsorbable components, particle size of adsorbing material. Depending on the column temperature (143 K to 173 K), resolution factors, retention times and separation factors have been evaluated. A better selection capacity of modifief zeolites with respect to molicular sieves has been proved. The theory of the moments has been applied to the adsorption of hydrogen isotopes on mordenite material. Equations are presented for the zeroth, first and second moments of the chromatographic peak in terms of the rate constants for the adsorption process. The moments obtained from experimental chromatographic data have been used to evaluate the adsorptio equilibrium constants, the axial dispersion, particle-to-fluid diffusion which may be employed to model a higher scale separation unit. (author). 12 refs.; 13 figs.; 4 tabs