Investigation of the separation factor between light and heavy water in the liquid/vapor membrane permeation process

Abstract Results of measurements of the separation factor between light and heavy water during membrane permeation are presented. In these experiments the membrane separated the liquid and vapor phases. Measurements were made between 20 and 90°C at downstream pressures (vapor chamber) of 6, 160 and 460 Torr. Two different cellulosic membranes, “Cuprophan 150 M” and “Tomofan I”, were employed. The isotopic composition of hydrogen in the two phases was analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The separation factors, α, and their temperature dependences for both membranes are reported.