Operating experience of the experimental industrial plant for reprocessing of tritiated water wastes

The results of 5-year operation of the experimental industrial plant for hydrogen isotope separation using combined electrolysis and catalytic exchange (CECE) process are presented. The plant is used for large-scale studies of CECE process and for reprocessing tritiated heavy water wastes. The main parts of the plant are a 100-mm diameter exchange column of 6.9 m overall height, alkaline electrolytic cells and catalytic burners. The separation performance of the column was determined. The computer code makes it possible to carry out the calculation over a wide range of conditions and to forecast a concentration profile within the column when the values of flow rates are changed. The experience gained during the plant operation shows a high efficiency of isotope separation by CECE process and allows regarding CECE process as a considerable promise for the industrial use, in particular, for water purification from tritium. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.