Background:Hydrogen-water catalytic exchange reaction offers an approach to hydrogen isotope separation

which can be applied in heavy water detritiation.Purpose:To optimize the operating condition for hydrogen-water catalytic exchange reaction

we analysed the influence of different factors on the transfer coefficient.Methods:In detail

the isotope exchange experiments of H-D system were carried out in a self-designed catalytic bed loaded with hydrophobic catalyst and hydrophilic packing with certain volume ratio.The experiments showed the changes of both the transfer coefficient and the pressure drop of column with the changing of the operational temperatures(29°C

45°C

60°C and 75°C)

the ratios of gas to liquid(0.58

1.17

2.65

3.54) and the deuterium concentrations(5.05×10 3

1.0144×10 2

2.01×10 2).Results:Results showed that 45°C is the optimal temperature for operating.The transfer coefficient increases with the increasinng of the ratio of gas to liquid in the ranges of 0.58to 1.17 and 2.65 to 3.56

while decreases with the deuterium concentration increases from 5.05×10 3to 2.01×10 2.The pressure drop of column increases with increasing of gas flow rate.Conclusions:The experiment proves that the ratio of gas to liquid

the reaction temperature and the deuterium concentration are all important factors

which influence the transfer coefficient of deuterium obviously.The optimal operating condition for hydrogen-water catalytic exchange reaction are as follows:the temperature is 45°C

the ratio of gas to liquid is 3.56

and the deuterium concentration is 2.01×10 2.