Isotope separation methods and systems
AssigneeSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
InventorsXin Xiao, Henry T. Sessions, Lucas M. Angelette, Paul R. Beaumont, David W. Babineau
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Abstract
Methods and systems for the separation of isotopes from an aqueous stream are described as can be utilized in one embodiment to remove and recover tritium from contaminated water. Methods include counter-current flow of an aqueous stream on either side of a separation membrane. The separation membrane includes an isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and an ion conductive supporting layer (e.g., Nafion®). An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane to enrich the flow in the isotopes.
Claims23
A system for removal and recovery of an isotope from an aqueous source, the system comprising:
- a separation device, the separation device including:
- a first flow inlet and a first flow outlet;
- a plurality of hollow fiber separation membranes between the first flow inlet and the first flow outlet, each hollow fiber separation membrane including an isotope selective layer and an ion conductive supporting layer, each hollow fiber separation membrane including an exterior surface and an interior surface that surrounds a hollow tubular interior, wherein the first flow inlet is in fluid communication with and upstream of the hollow tubular interior of each of the hollow fiber separation membranes, and the first flow outlet is in fluid communication with and downstream of the hollow tubular interior of each of the hollow fiber separation membranes;
- a second flow inlet and a second flow outlet defining a first flow path there between, the first flow path contacting the exterior surface of each of the hollow fiber separation membranes, wherein the separation device is configured such that flow from the first flow inlet to the first flow outlet is counter-current to the first flow path;
- and
- an electric circuit in electrical communication with each of the hollow fiber separation membranes and configured to apply a voltage between the interior surface and the exterior surface of each of the hollow fiber separation membranes.
A system for removal and recovery of an isotope from an aqueous source, the system comprising:
- a separation device, the separation device including
- a first flow inlet and a first flow outlet defining a first flow path there between;
- a second flow inlet and a second flow outlet defining a second flow path there between, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are counter-current to one another;
- a separation membrane, the separation membrane separating the first flow path and the second flow path, the separation membrane including an isotope selective layer and an ion conductive supporting layer, the separation membrane including a first side and an opposite second side, the first side facing the first flow path and the second side facing the second flow path;
- a third flow path connecting the first flow outlet to the second flow inlet;
- a fourth flow path connecting the second flow outlet to the first flow inlet;
- and
- an electric circuit in electrical communication with the separation membrane and configured to apply a voltage between the first side of the separation membrane and the second side of the separation membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.