Liquid phase catalytic exchange column of water detritiation system: Steady-state modeling, simulation, and optimization

This paper presents a steady-state modeling, simulations, and optimization for an LPCE column of water detritiation system. It introduces a three-fluid model that integrates isotopic exchange, equilibrium-stage, and hydrodynamic models, considering energy balance and multiple feeds with adaptable feed location. The models were implemented in Pyomo, an equation-oriented, Python-based optimization modeling framework. Parametric studies are presented to analyze the effects on the detritiation factor and deuterium concentration resulting from changes in the gas to liquid feed mole ratio, gas feed composition, heat duty distribution, and gas feed location. Using the three most commonly employed catalysts, a design study investigates the minimal number of hypothetical stages required to meet the defined annual tritium discharge levels.