Deuterisation of mixed bed ion exchange resin: kinetics study

The process of deuterisation of a mixture of strongly acidic cationic and strongly basic anionic resins in a mixed bed system has been investigated for kinetics measurement through laboratory scale experiment. The up-flow fluidization method employing a heavy water flow from the bottom end of the mixed bed column at a reasonably low flow rate has been amply exploited for displacement of light water molecules inside the resin pores and adhering to resin surface as well. The course of deuterisation has been tracked down by determination of D₂O content as a function of time and the process is found to exhibit a breakthrough type sigmoidal kinetics. An empirical relation, involving half-life of deuterisation and some process parameters such as flow rate, volume of light water to be replaced, could be achieved for plant scale deuterisation of a mixed bed ion exchanger prior to use in purification unit of heavy water process system of a nuclear reactor. (author)