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US 4,399,011 AGranted
Separation of hydrogen isotopes
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsDavid S. Y. Hsu, Thomas J. Manuccia, Jr.
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Abstract
Isotopes of hydrogen are separated by reacting a normal alkane, its deuterated form, atomic bromine, a deactivating gas, and a isotopically selective vibrational sensitizer gas selected from the class consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof and separating the products which are enriched in deuterium.
Claims8
A method for separating hydrogen isotopes which comprises:
- forming a gas mixture comprising bromine atoms, normal and deuterated alkane molecules, a vibrationally excited sensitizer gas selected from the class consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof and a deactivator gas in an amount sufficient to compete with VV pumping by the sensitizer gas whereby said deuterated alkane molecules become vibrationally excited by V--V vibration transfer from said sensitizer molecules;
- reacting both alkane molecules with bromine atoms, to form a bromoalkane, whereby vibrationally excited deuterated alkane molecules react at a faster rate than protonated alkane molecules;
- and
- separating deuterated bromoalkane.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.