Progress of Cryogenics and Isotopes Separation

Estimation of isotopic exchange parameters by control of

condensation process

Sorin Gherghinescu*, Gheorghe Popescu, Ionuţ Spiridon

National Institute for Research and Development for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies - ICIT Rm. Valcea,

Uzinei Street no. 4, P.O. Box Raureni 7, 240050, Ramnicu Valcea, Romania

ABSTRACT

 The catalytic isotopic exchange module for hydrogen isotopes is described as a integrated system in the TRF of ICIT Ramnicu Valcea. Optimal functioning of the TRF states that for the cryogenic distillation column, gas input must have a controlled relative humidity and temperature. The catalytic exchange column can run for different input parameters of gas flow, liquid flow and temperature working regime. In situation of variable working temperature or inadequate thermostatic condition for the isotopic exchange column, demanded input parameters for the cryogenic distillation column must be obtain through different methods. One of the easiest and safety system equilibration methods requires the variation of refrigeration power of the condenser unit by the refrigeration agent flow variation. Changes in the refrigeration unit equilibrated the outlet temperature of the gas through the molsieve adsorber unit at certain values. Experimental data were obtained for different working regimes of the condenser unit installed in the catalyzed isotopic exchange system. The condensed liquid volume per time unit and the relative humidity at the condenser outlet were measured and reported in this paper. By controlling of the described parameters, considering also technical system design data and catalyst proprieties, for optimal isotopic column runs a thermic regime can be calculated and obtained.  

Keywords: isotopic exchange column, condenser, molecular sieve, thermostatic condition.