Abstract: The present invention provides a process whereby pre-enrichment of water streams using a hydrogen source and a catalytic isotope exchange method at one or more remote sites to supply water with augmented deuterium concentration to a central heavy water. This central heavy water plant could be a Combined Electrolysis and Catalytic Exchange (“CECE”) heavy water production plant or a Girdler Sulfide heavy water plant. The deuterium content of water at the remote sites is increased and provides water stream(s) with augmented deuterium concentration to feed to the central heavy water production plant. This could be a first stage of the central CECE deuterium enrichment plant, increasing its capacity for heavy water production approximately in the ratio of its enrichment above natural deuterium concentrations. By relatively simple utilization of available deuterium enrichment capacity at the remote sites, advantages are achieved from a larger scale of heavy water production at the central production plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process whereby pre-enrichment of water streams using a hydrogen source and a catalytic isotope exchange method at one or more remote sites to supply water with augmented deuterium concentration to a central heavy water. This central heavy water plant could be a Combined Electrolysis and Catalytic Exchange (“CECE”) heavy water production plant or a Girdler Sulfide heavy water plant. The deuterium content of water at the remote sites is increased and provides water stream(s) with augmented deuterium concentration to feed to the central heavy water production plant. This could be a first stage of the central CECE deuterium enrichment plant, increasing its capacity for heavy water production approximately in the ratio of its enrichment above natural deuterium concentrations. By relatively simple utilization of available deuterium enrichment capacity at the remote sites, advantages are achieved from a larger scale of heavy water production at the central production plant.

Abstract: An electrolytic pre-enrichment of a feed stream to a combined electrolysis nd catalytic exchange ("CECE") heavy water production process. A deuterium enriched liquid or vapour stream from electrolytic cells is applied as a feed to the first stage of a CECE deuterium enrichment process. By deploying a portion of available electrolytic cell capacity in the pre-enrichment stage, advantages are achieved, particularly where available electrical power fluctuates or when a "turned down" CECE process is desired.

Abstract: A geographically distributed apparatus and process for detritiating heavy water is provided. The apparatus and process provide a remote site enrichment plant for producing an enriched stream of DT/D.sub.2 gas and a hydriding unit for forming a hydride of the DT/D.sub.2 gas for transportation. Pure tritium gas is produced at a local tritium extraction plant by reforming DT/D.sub.2 in a de-hydriding unit and passing the gas mixture through a chain of cryogenic distillation columns. The invention provides a safe and cost-effective method of detritiating heavy water.

Abstract: A dual temperature isotope exchange process of the type having a frist stage comprising a hot and cold tower with liquid and gas passing in countercurrent exchange relationship therein, the gas being recycled from the top of the cold tower to the bottom of the hot tower via a humidifier section through which the effluent liquid from the bottom fo the hot tower also passes, a dehumidifier between hot and cold towers through which both gas and liquid streams pass, wherein a third-phase stream acting as a heat transfer medium is passed through the dehumidifier, hot tower, humidifier and wherein said stream is recycled from the bottom of the humidifier to the top of the dehumidifier or alternatively to the top of the cold tower via fluid condition and temperature treatment apparatus. The heat transfer fluid is preferably a liquid and must be such as not to interfere or inter-react excessively with the gas-liquid exchange process.

Abstract: A dual temperature isotope exchange process of the type having a first stage comprising a hot and a cold tower with liquid and gas passing in countercurrent exchange relation therein, the gas being recycled from the top of the cold tower to the bottom of the hot tower via a humidifier section through which a liquid stream also passes, a dehumidifier between hot and cold towers through which both gas and liquid streams pass, the improvement comprising the feeding of the inlet feed liquid at a raised temperature to the top of the humidifier section that is, to a point between the liquid outlet of the hot tower and the liquid input to the humidifier and the recycling of a portion of the liquid leaving the hot tower to the top of the cold tower preferably via a cooling device.