Vapour phase catalytic exchange apparatus

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A reactor for use in the separation of tritium from tritiated water by the vapour phase catalytic exchange process comprises an evaporator section a superheater, section, a catalytic reactor section and a condenser section serially arranged within a common casing structure defining a unitary pressure vessel. In a multistage plant the reactors are interconnected to provide for countercurrent flow of the water and hydrogen gas from stage to stage, with co-current contact in the catalytic reactor section of each stage. By incorporating the components of each stage in a common casing structure the, external piping is minimized and the risk of leakage is reduced.