Multistage Deuterium Depleted Water Preparation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing deuterium depleted water (DDW) face challenges due to high energy consumption and complex, costly processes involving multiple stages of isotope rectifying mass transfer separation, which are inefficient and difficult to stabilize.
Innovation Solution
A multistage continuous preparation device comprising distillation columns, vapor-liquid separators, low-pressure steam compressors, and stream delivery pumps, which recycles heat and eliminates the need for external steam and cooling systems, allowing for efficient separation of deuterium from natural water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional isotope rectifying mass transfer separation methods are used to produce deuterium depleted water, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and the process is complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid-vapor cycles) in distillation columns to separate deuterium oxide from ordinary water. The vaporization and condensation processes exploit the slight differences in volatility between H2O and D2O, enabling separation without complex chemical reactions or high-energy inputs, thereby reducing both energy consumption and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The separation process is divided into multiple distillation columns arranged in series, each column performing a stage of separation. This segmentation allows the overall separation task to be achieved through multiple simpler steps rather than one complex process, reducing the complexity of each individual unit while maintaining effective deuterium removal
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple stages of isotope rectifying mass transfer separation are employed, then deuterium removal efficiency improves, but the number of separation units increases and investment costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distillation columns with vapor-liquid separators and heat exchangers into an integrated system where the output of one stage feeds into the next. By merging these components into a coordinated multistage process, the system achieves high deuterium removal efficiency while optimizing the number of units required and reducing overall system complexity compared to separate standalone operations
3Reliability
If traditional distillation systems with external steam and cooling systems are used, then separation process can be maintained, but equipment investment and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the system generates its own steam requirements through the vaporization process and utilizes the condensation heat to preheat feed water or provide cooling. This internal heat recycling eliminates or reduces the need for external steam generators and cooling systems, lowering equipment investment while maintaining process stability through self-regulating thermal cycles
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces energy consumption by 60-80%, simplifies the process, and requires fewer separation units, achieving high separation efficiency with lower investment costs.
Implementation Method 1
DDW may be obtained by continuously depriving the heavy fraction 2H2O by virtue of the slight difference in vapor pressure between the 1H2O molecules and the 2H2O molecules in natural water
Implementation Method 2
the slight difference in vapor pressure between the 1H2O molecules and the 2H2O molecules
Implementation Method 3
a liquid phase stream is heated to vaporize to form a vapor phase stream
Implementation Method 4
the liquid phase stream is heated to vaporize
Implementation Method 5
the vapor phase stream is compressed by using a low-pressure steam compressor
Implementation Method 6
the vapor phase stream is cooled into the liquid phase stream
Implementation Method 7
the compressed vapor phase stream is used to heat the liquid phase stream
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a method for preparing deuterium depleted water, wherein natural water is fed into the device of the present disclosure, and the liquid phase stream continuously flows backwards stage by stage under the combined action of the low-pressure steam compressors and the stream delivery pumps. In a single-stage system, the deuterium is deprived depending on the difference in vapor pressure between 1H2O and 2H2O (and/or 1H2HO), and finally, the deuterium depleted water is produced.