Apparatus for separating heavy isotopes of hydrogen from water

Abstract

An apparatus and method for separating oxides of heavy isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium oxide, oxides of tritium and mixed isotope oxides) from light water (H2O) which is contaminated with these heavy hydrogen isotopes such as that currently being discharged in cooling water from nuclear power plants. A central aspect of this invention includes a plurality or bundle of elongated hollow core fibers which are positioned within an elongated enclosed housing having a feed water inlet, an exit stream outlet, and a permeate outlet. At least a portion of the hollow core fibers are at least partially filled or packed with small beads which are comprised of a porous exchange resin carrying waters of hydration. Porosity is controlled by the degree of cross-linking and bead diameter of the exchange resin which is preferably combined with aluminum sulfate or ammonium hydride to form (RSO.sub.3).sub.3 Al or RSO.sub.3 NH.sub.4. By passing the contaminated water through the bead-filled hollow core fibers within the housing, significant amounts of the oxides of heavy hydrogen isotopes remain in the hollow core fiber either combined with the resin beads or collected against the inside wall surfaces of the hollow core fibers. Some of the H2O in the contaminated water permeates out of the hollow core fibers for discharge from the permeate outlet. The water which discharges from the exit stream outlet is substantially lower in heavy hydrogen isotope content. Regeneration of the apparatus is also shown.