Apparatus and method for concentrating hydrogen isotopes

A method of concentrating a hydrogen isotope, comprising

• delivering a fluid comprising the hydrogen isotope to be concentrated and nitrogen to an anode of an electrochemical cell comprising a hydron exchange membrane comprising hydrons of the hydrogen isotope, and also comprising said anode on a first side of the hydron exchange membrane, a cathode on a second side of the hydron exchange membrane, and an electrical circuit connection between the anode and the cathode;
• removing a first stream in fluid communication with the cathode, the first stream comprising concentrated hydrogen isotope;
• directing the first stream to a water vessel and separating the concentrated hydrogen isotope from the an isotopic water in the water vessel;
• after the separating, directing the concentrated hydrogen isotope to a compression and drying station to form a final hydrogen isotope outlet stream;
• directing the isotopic water from the water vessel and a separated water stream from the compression and drying station to the second side;
• and
• removing a second stream in fluid communication with the anode, comprising the nitrogen delivered to the anode depleted of the hydrogen isotope.

A method of concentrating a hydrogen isotope, comprising

• delivering a fluid comprising the hydrogen isotope to be concentrated and nitrogen to an anode of an electrochemical cell comprising a hydron exchange membrane comprising hydrons of the hydrogen isotope, and also comprising said anode on a first side of the hydron exchange membrane, a cathode on a second side of the hydron exchange membrane, and an electrical circuit connection between the anode and the cathode;
• removing a first stream in fluid communication with the cathode, the first stream comprising concentrated hydrogen isotope;
• directing the first stream to a drying station to form a final hydrogen isotope outlet stream and a separated water stream;
• combining the fluid with the separated water stream upstream of the anode and humidifying the stream;
• and
• removing a second stream in fluid communication with the anode, comprising the nitrogen delivered to the anode depleted of the hydrogen isotope.