Zirconium–cobalt intermetallic compound for storage and recovery of hydrogen isotopes

The intermetallic compound ZrCo was prepared and its suitability for storage, recovery and separation of hydrogen isotopes was studied. The storage capacity of the compound for hydrogen, deuterium and tritium was respectively found to be 160, 145 and 100 ml per gram of the compound at normal temperature and pressure. Pressure composition isotherms for all the gases were derived in the temperature range of 296 to 673 K. The equilibrium pressures of the first plateau were 0.133, 0.133 and 10.666 pa, respectively for hydrogen, deuterium and tritium. The isotherm studies for the systems of ZrCo/H2, ZrCo/D2 and ZrCo/T2 showed wide difference of equilibrium plateau pressures which can be effectively utilized for the separation and release of hydrogen isotopes by selective decomposition of the mixed isotopic hydrides.