Effects of the gas–liquid ratio on the optimum catalyst quantity for the CECE process with a homogeneously packed LPCE column

Abstract

In order to improve the separative performance of a combined electrolysis catalytic exchange (CECE) process, we have carried out experimental studies on hydrogen isotope separation by a CECE process using a liquid phase catalytic exchange (LPCE) column of trickle-type packed beds. Two types of trickle beds were tested in our previous study. One was the layered bed, where layers of Kogel catalysts and Dixon gauze rings were alternately filled in the column. The other was the homogeneous bed, where Kogel catalysts and Dixon gauze rings were homogeneously mixed and filled in the column. We found that (1) the homogeneously packed bed was more efficient than the layered packed bed, and (2) the catalyst quantity was optimal, which resulted in the highest separative performance. In this study, the effect of the gas–liquid ratio ( G/ L) on the optimum catalyst quantity was studied experimentally in a homogeneously packed bed. When the value of G/ L was 1.7, total separation factors were relatively small and the optimum catalyst quantity could not be determined. On the other hand, when the values of G/ L were 0.9 and 0.7, the values of the total separation factors had maximums and the optimal quantities of the catalyst were clearly obtained.