Patent ID: 6153092
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
An apparatus for separating heavy isotopes of hydrogen in their oxide forms from contaminated water comprising:an elongated hollow enclosure having a feed stream inlet, an exit stream outlet and a permeate outlet;a plurality of individual elongated hollow core fibers each having a first and a second end and extending within said enclosure;at least a portion of said hollow core fibers at least partially filled with beads formed of an exchange resin;each said first end in direct fluid communication with said feed stream inlet to direct a feed stream of contaminated water directly into said hollow core fibers;each said second end in direct fluid communication with said exit stream outlet;said beads capable of absorbing a portion of the heavy isotopes of hydrogen from the contaminated water passing through said plurality of hollow core fibers by exchange with waters of hydration of said beads;said hollow core fibers capable of allowing permeation of light water outwardly through a wall of each of said hollow core fibers as a permeate which is removed from said apparatus through said permeate outlet while substantially preventing permeation of heavy isotopes of hydrogen;a remainder of contaminated water exiting from said apparatus through said exit stream outlet substantially reduced in heavy hydrogen isotope content from that of the feed stream.