Hydrogen isotope separation by gas chromatography using Pd-Pt alloy

A new type of chromatography for hydrogen isotope separation was developed employing a Pd-Pt alloy (8 at.% Pt) as functional material. It could separate a H(2)-D(2) mixture into H(2) and D(2) in the temperature range of 274-297 K in a short time with simple operation procedures without introducing ally replacement gas. An elusion mechanism plays an important role in the separation, and a replacement mechanism and/or a mixing effect may also be participating. A good separation can be expected under conditions of moderate operation temperature, a high carrier gas pressure and a slow flow rate. The new chromatography has potential for application in isotope separation systems for thermonuclear fusion devices. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.