SMR applications: Hydrogen isotope separation system (ISS)

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• Controlled from flowsheet mimic diagram on touch sensitive screen
• Automatic or manual operation
• Stores pure tritium in getter beds

Tyne Engineering designed the isotopic separation system 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 cooled columns. 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.  Pure hydrogen is discharged to the stack thus reducing the volume before adding another batch.

For safety, the system is contained within a glovebox to provide a leak tight system, either fully welded or utilizing high class low leakage fittings where welding is not possible. Some tritium transfer into the box through permeation is unavoidable due to high temperatures. Valves are all bellows sealed types and instrumentation is of the highest caliber.