Hydrogen isotope exchange methods and systems for organic and organosilicon materials
AssigneeBattelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC
InventorsGeorge K. Larsen, III, Tyler C. Guin, Joseph E. Meany, Jay B. Gaillard, Mark C. Elvington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods and systems for hydrogen isotope exchange of organic molecules that can be carried out with no alteration in the chemical structure of the organic molecules. Methods can be utilized to incorporate a particular hydrogen isotope on an organic molecule (e.g., deuteration or tritiation) or to remove a particular hydrogen isotope from an organic molecule (e.g., detritiation).
Claims28
A method for hydrogen isotope exchange on an organic molecule, the method comprising:
- flowing a stream containing a first hydrogen isotope into and out of a reactor, the reactor containing the organic molecule and a hydrogen isotope exchange catalyst, the stream contacting the organic molecule within the reactor, a portion of the first hydrogen isotope being exchanged for a second, different hydrogen isotope of the organic molecule as the stream is within the reactor;
- and
- removing one or more impurities from the stream following exit of the stream from the reactor.
An isotope exchange system comprising:
- a reactor containing an isotope exchange catalyst and an organic molecule;
- a stream containing a hydrogen isotope in fluid communication with the reactor, the fluid contact configured for flow of the stream into and out of the reactor and further configured for contact between the hydrogen isotope and the organic molecule within the reactor;
- and
- a hydrogen isotope separation unit in fluid communication with the stream such that following exit from the reactor, the stream is fed to the hydrogen isotope separation unit.
A method for hydrogen isotope exchange on an organic molecule, the method comprising:
- flowing a stream containing a first hydrogen isotope into and out of a reactor, the reactor containing the organic molecule and a hydrogen isotope exchange catalyst, the stream contacting the organic molecule as the stream is within the reactor, a portion of the first hydrogen isotope being exchanged for a second, different hydrogen isotope of the organic molecule as the stream is within the reactor;
- and
- separating the first hydrogen isotope from the second hydrogen isotope contained in the stream from one another following exit of the stream from the reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.