US 12,076,691 B2
Apparatus and method for concentrating hydrogen isotopes
Daryl Ludlow, Diamond Point, NY (US); Gregory P. Hesler, Woodstock, CT (US); and Trent M. Molter, Glastonbury, CT (US)
Assigned to SKYRE INC., East Hartford, CT (US)
Filed by Skyre Inc., East Hartford, CT (US)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/150,911.
Application 16/507,265 is a division of application No. 15/701,089, filed on Sep. 11, 2017, abandoned.
Application 18/150,911 is a continuation of application No. 16/507,265, filed on Jul. 10, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/385,787, filed on Sep. 9, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0141903 A1, May 11, 2023
Int. Cl. B01D 53/32 (2006.01); B01D 59/40 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 53/326 (2013.01) [B01D 59/40 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.