Open AccessUtilization of kinetic isotope effects for the concentration of tritium. 1997 annual progress report
Author(s) -
Gilbert M. Brown,
Thomas J. Meyer
Publication year - 1997
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/13743
Subject(s) - tritium , groundwater , tritiated water , environmental science , isotope , work (physics) , waste management , chemistry , nuclear physics , engineering , physics , thermodynamics , geotechnical engineering
'The objective of this research program is to develop methods for concentrating tritium in water based on large primary isotope effects in catalytic redox processes. Basic research is being conducted to develop the chemistry of a complete cyclic process. Because tritium [generally present as tritiated water (HTO)] is in a rapidly established equilibrium with water, it moves with groundwater and separation from water cannot be achieved by the usual pump-and-treat methods using sorbents. The general methodology developed in this work will be applicable to a number of US Department of Energy waste streams, and as a consequence of the process, tritium could be incorporated in an organic polymer, a form that will prevent its ready transport in groundwater.