An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.

An industrial apparatus 10 and/or method, such as an electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus and/or method, includes an apparatus 49 and/or process by which gaseous D.sub.2 is recovered in a reactor 3 from a gas stream via a reaction in the reactor with another molecule to form a useful chemical compound containing D.

An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.

An industrial apparatus 10 and/or method, such as an electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus and/or method, includes an apparatus 49 and/or process by which gaseous D.sub.2 is recovered in a reactor 3 from a gas stream via a reaction in the reactor with another molecule to form a useful chemical compound containing D.

An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.

A system, apparatus and process for separating a tritiated heavy water stream into a tritium-lean heavy water stream and a tritium-enriched heavy water stream. Tritiated heavy water (DTO/D2O) is fed to a mid-point of an isotope exchange column. The column contains a hydrophobic solid catalyst to promote exchange of deuterium and tritium. DT/D2 gas flows out of an electrolysis cell and into the first end of the column, concentrating tritium content in the heavy water by counter current flow to produce a tritium-rich heavy water below the feed point and a tritium-lean deuterium gas above. Tritium-rich heavy water flows out the first end of the column and into the electrolysis cell, forming DT/D2 gas and a tritium-enriched heavy water stream. Tritium-lean deuterium gas flows out the second end of the column and into a tritium-lean heavy water unit. Either O2 gas or light water additionally flows into the tritium-lean heavy water unit to form a tritium-lean heavy water.

A system, apparatus and process for separating a tritiated heavy water stream into a tritium-lean heavy water stream and a tritium-enriched heavy water stream. Tritiated heavy water (DTO/D2O) is fed to a mid-point of an isotope exchange column. The column contains a hydrophobic solid catalyst to promote exchange of deuterium and tritium. DT/D2 gas flows out of an electrolysis cell and into the first end of the column, concentrating tritium content in the heavy water by counter current flow to produce a tritium-rich heavy water below the feed point and a tritium-lean deuterium gas above. Tritium-rich heavy water flows out the first end of the column and into the electrolysis cell, forming DT/D2 gas and a tritium-enriched heavy water stream. Tritium-lean deuterium gas flows out the second end of the column and into a tritium-lean heavy water unit. Either O2 gas or light water additionally flows into the tritium-lean heavy water unit to form a tritium-lean heavy water.

An electrochemical hydrogen isotope concentrating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inlet stream of the hydrogen isotope to be concentrated. The apparatus also includes an electrochemical cell that includes a hydron exchange membrane containing hydrons of the hydrogen isotope, an anode on a first side of the hydron exchange membrane in fluid communication with the inlet stream, a cathode on a second side of the hydron exchange membrane, and an electrical circuit connection between the anode and the cathode. The apparatus further includes two outlet streams: a first outlet stream of the hydrogen isotope in fluid communication with the cathode, and a second outlet stream depleted of the hydrogen isotope in fluid communication with the anode.

An electrolytic enrichment method for heavy water includes enriching heavy water by electrolysis using an alkaline water electrolysis cell including an anode chamber that holds an anode, a cathode chamber that holds a cathode, and a diaphragm. In the method, an electrolyte prepared by adding high-concentration alkaline water to raw material water containing heavy water is circularly supplied to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber from a circulation tank; an anode-side gas-liquid separator and an anode-side water-seal device are connected to the anode chamber, and a cathode-side gas-liquid separator and a cathode-side water-seal device are connected to the cathode chamber; and electrolysis is continued while the alkali concentration in the electrolyte supplied to both electrolysis chambers is maintained at a constant concentration by circularly supplying, to the circulation tank, the electrolyte from which the gas generated from the anode-side gas-liquid separator and the cathode-side gas-liquid separator is separated.

An electrolytic enrichment method for heavy water includes enriching heavy water by electrolysis using an alkaline water electrolysis cell including an anode chamber that holds an anode, a cathode chamber that holds a cathode, and a diaphragm. In the method, an electrolyte prepared by adding high-concentration alkaline water to raw material water containing heavy water is circularly supplied to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber from a circulation tank; an anode-side gas-liquid separator and an anode-side water-seal device are connected to the anode chamber, and a cathode-side gas-liquid separator and a cathode-side water-seal device are connected to the cathode chamber; and electrolysis is continued while the alkali concentration in the electrolyte supplied to both electrolysis chambers is maintained at a constant concentration by circularly supplying, to the circulation tank, the electrolyte from which the gas generated from the anode-side gas-liquid separator and the cathode-side gas-liquid separator is separated.

The present invention relates to a method for treating tritium water-containing raw water, the method including supplying a part of raw water containing tritium water and alkali water to a circulation tank, mixing the raw water with alkali water in the circulation tank to obtain an electrolyte adjusted so as to have a desired alkali concentration, and continuously electrolyzing the electrolyte while circulating the electrolyte, thereby subjecting the raw water stored in the storage tank to alkali water electrolysis and thus gasifying the raw water. According to the invention, by gasifying tritium water-containing raw water by alkali water electrolysis, the tritium concentration in a tritium-containing hydrogen gas is diluted to 1/1,244 and the tritium water-containing raw water can be reduced in volume.

The present invention relates to a method for treating tritium water-containing raw water, the method including supplying a part of raw water containing tritium water and alkali water to a circulation tank, mixing the raw water with alkali water in the circulation tank to obtain an electrolyte adjusted so as to have a desired alkali concentration, and continuously electrolyzing the electrolyte while circulating the electrolyte, thereby subjecting the raw water stored in the storage tank to alkali water electrolysis and thus gasifying the raw water.

According to the invention, by gasifying tritium water-containing raw water by alkali water electrolysis, the tritium concentration in a tritium-containing hydrogen gas is diluted to 1/1,244 and the tritium water-containing raw water can be reduced in volume.