Patent ID: 7052656

Claim:
Column for carrying out an isotope exchange (EM) between a liquid substance (L) and a gaseous substance (G) using a catalytic reaction (EK) in which the isotope exchange between molecules of the vaporized liquid substance (V) and molecules of the gaseous substance (G) takes place through a heterogeneous catalysis, said column comprising a plurality of modules (M) which are arranged vertically one above the other and which are in each case subdivided into two regions K and A which are serially connected by a connection region (C) for carrying out the catalytic reaction in the region K on a first packing and a substance exchange (E 1 , E 2 ) between a liquid and a gaseous phase which contains vapor in the region A by means of a second packing for compensating substance concentrations, a transport of the gaseous substance (G, V) which contains vapor being driven through the modules as a result of pressure gradients during the operation of the column and the liquid substance flowing in a downward direction through the modules through the action of gravity alone, the regions K and A being horizontally offset from each other, and a liquid flow channel in fluid connection with region A directing the gravitational flow of the liquid substance through the modules and preventing the liquid substance from flowing through the region K.