Installation of liquid phase catalytic exchange columns for the Wolsong tritium removal facility

An assessment on hydrogen isotopes separation by liquid phase catalytic exchange process

“…As can be observed in Table 1, two main categories of hydrophobic catalysts (which exhibited high catalytic activity and stability) have been selected to promote isotopic exchange by LPCE process: (a) Platinum on Carbon and Teflon (Pt/C/PTFE), developed and applied in various [14] 0.4 % Pt/PTFE [14] 0.1-0.4 % Pt/C/PTFE (emulsion) [12,14] Pt/zeolite [17] Pt/Si O 2 [17] Pt/C/PTFE (0.1 %) Pt/C is treated with PTFE and then bonded to 6.1 mm ceramic spheres [9] 0.8 %Pt/polysorb [9] Pt/Polysorb (0.8 %) Direct deposition of platinum on polysorb 2700 h Romania 0.1-2 % Pt/C/PTFE [11] 0.1-2 % Pt/SDB [11] 0.1-2 % Pt/SDB/PS [42] Pt/SDB/PTFE [42] Pt/C/PTFE (0.45 %) Original Pt/C is mixed with powder PTFE and pressed into Raschig rings.…”

“…From the literature and Table 2, reveals that only in three countries (Canada, Russia, Romania) have taken application of mixed catalytic packing in the LPCE process and achieved experimental pilot plant status [6,12,18] and only in Korea (at Wolsong Tritium Removal Facility) [17] was applied at an industrial level. The complete characteristics and separation performances for applied mixed catalytic packing are not entirely described in the literature and therefore it is difficult to make a complete scientific correlation between these properties and the decision to use them in industrial or pilot plant tritium removal facilities.…”

“…It has to be mentioned that Showa-type Japanese packing is similar to that used at Wolsong TRF since it is based on the same type of catalyst Pt/SDBC. This catalyst has a lower hydrophobicity [40] and therefore the catalyst doesn't work in direct contact with liquid water and the inner structure of LPCE column is more complicated [17].…”

“…Only Wolsong Tritium Removal Facility [17] reached industrial status (in operation since 2007) while other similar facilities still have the status of experimental pilot plants [6,18].…”

NGNP Reactor Coolant Chemistry Control Study

“…This system is expected to remove 7 MCi of tritium per year. 39 Reducing the contamination in the secondary circuit may have substantial benefits by reducing hazards associated with leaks, maintenance, and downstream emissions, so inclusion of a tritium removal system in the secondary circuit should be strongly considered based on the plans to use HTGRs for process heat applications. Such a tritium removal system could be operated continuously or on a periodic basis to maintain tritium concentrations below a reasonable established value.…”