Isotopic Separation System
Model 7029-ISS-001
The isotopic separation system is used to separate tritium from deuterium and hydrogen. It may be used as the stagefollowing electrolysis in the removal of tritium from heavy water or light water. This product shown is normally used forsmall quantities. It is designed for a gas flowrate of 8M³/hr.
- Controlled from flowsheet mimic diagram using a touch sensitive screen.
- Automatic or manual operation.
- Stores pure tritium in getter beds.
This equipment is based on two molecular sieve packed columns, each cryogenically cooled with liquid nitrogen, and can alternatively be heated in small increments along their length.
Mixed isotopes of hydrogen from an electrolyzer are batch injected into the system and deposited onto one of the two cooledcolumns. Temperatures are regulated to allow the isotopes to come off the first column in order of molecular size. By manipulating both columns simultaneously and transferring between the columns, it is possible to achieve a clean cut between the different isotopes and to deposit clean, pure tritium onto a getter bed, and to discharge pure hydrogen to the stack, thus reducing the volume before adding another batch.
The system is contained in a glove box for safety, though every care is taken to provide a safe leak tight system which is fullywelded or utilizes high-class low-leakage fittings where welding is not possible. Some tritium may still transfer into the box, however. This occurs through permeation that is unavoidable because of the high temperatures. Valves are all bellows sealed and instrumentation is of the highest quality.
light and heavy water applications
active nuclear facilities
SMR, MSR Research Facilities
fusion laboratories
active waste and decommissioning facilities
Related Tritium Collection Systems
Improving tritium management by designing and manufacturing extraction and removal technologies and integrated systems.
Image: complete tritium extraction plant designed, built, installed and operated by Tyne Engineering. The system removes tritium from light or heavy water, reducing stored volumes of tritiated water and is often paired with an isotopic separation system for removing tritium completely and storing safely on getter beds.
The use of wet scrubber technology in detritiation is based on gas drying by water absorption. The scrubber column technology, filled with structured packing, is based on isotopic exchange between tritiated water and liquid water, in combination with catalytic conversion.
Incorporated into advanced detritiation systems is the oxidized-and-adsorb process. The atmospheric detritiation dryer absorbs tritium oxide (HTO) after being converted from tritiated species.
Electrolysis is an essential part of the cycle of removing tritium from light or heavy water as well as organic materials. Tyne designs, builds and modifies Electrolyzers enabling their full integration into our clients' specific requirements.
The cryogenic distillation process is both highly efficient and partner to other tritium separation technologies. Complimenting the isotopic separation system, a cryogenic distillation column satisfies both high flow rate and separation and functions as the final process of tritium recovery from heavy water.
The isotopic separation system is used to separate tritium from deuterium and hydrogen. It may be used as the stage following electrolysis in the removal of tritium from heavy water or light water.
Development and application of liquid phase catalytic exchange (LPCE) technology is an effective method for tritium separation from tritiated water. Tyne designs and manufactures the columns for use with the combined electrolysis catalytic exchange (CECE) process.
It is important in nuclear applications to maintain safe levels of hydrogen concentration. The hydrogen oxygen recombiner uses a catalyst which reduces hydrogen concentration by providing sites where hydrogen and oxygen chemically react to form water.
Tyne's tritium bubbler system collects workspace or environmental samples from ambient air. With the recognized fast conversion dynamic of free tritium to THO, the requirement for a catalytic furnace to convert free Tritium into THO prior to sampling is avoided and a direct three stage bubbler system implemented.
