Absorption breakthrough of hydrogen isotopes in inert gas mixture and desorption characteristics with ZrNi alloy particle bed

A metal particle packed bed is one of the most effective methods for the selective recovery of hydrogen isotopes in an inert gas such as argon or helium. An effective and convenient alloy might be ZrNi. ZrNi particles, 80-120 mesh, were packed in a column 20 mm in diameter, through which H₂-Ar or H₂-D₂-Ar gas mixtures at 50 °C were passed. The absorption characteristics were obtained and the desorption rates of the hydrogen isotopes for the alloy were also obtained in flowing argon gas at 400, 600 and 800 °C. It was found that the absorption and desorption rates are very fast, large amounts can be absorbed and the activation of the ZrNi alloy is very easy. Since it is known that the isotopic differences between hydrogen and deuterium in absorption and desorption are very small, it can be concluded that the ZrNi alloy should serve as a good absorbent of the hydrogen isotopes, including tritium, at room temperature.