Studies of the Separation of Hydrogen Isotopes by a Pressure Swing Adsorption Process

Abstract

Abstract A theoretical and experimental study was made of the mechanism of the separation of a mixture of hydrogen isotopes by a two-column pressure swing adsorption process in which vanadium hydride was used as the solid phase. Theoretical predictions of process performance were compared with data from process experiments using hydrogen containing a trace of HT as feed. For process operation wholly within the monohydride phase, a postulated isotope effect in the rates of hydrogen absorption and desorption appeared to control process performance. When process operation involved transitions back and forth between the monohydride and dihydride phases, process performance was determined mainly by an equilibrium isotope effect.