CPC B01D 53/326 (2013.01) [B01D 59/40 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A method of concentrating a hydrogen isotope, comprising
humidifying a gas stream comprising the hydrogen isotope to be concentrated and an additional non-hydrogen containing gas other than the hydrogen isotope, wherein humidifying the gas stream comprises flowing the gas stream through a humidifier comprising isotopic water to form a humidified hydrogen isotope stream;
delivering the humidified hydrogen isotope stream 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; and
removing a second stream in fluid communication with the anode, comprising the additional non-hydrogen containing gas delivered to the anode depleted of the hydrogen isotope.
|