Hydrogen extraction from Pb–17Li: Tests with a packed column

Tests of hydrogen extraction from the liquid metal Pb–17Li have been performed in MELODIE loop at 673 and 713 K, using a gas liquid contactor. The tested extractor is a 60 cm high packed column equipped with three 54.7 mm diameter cylinders of Sulzer Mellapak 750Y structured packing. The investigated flow rates were 0.07–0.1 m3 h−1 for Pb–17Li and 3–9 N l h−1 for the extracting gas (argon). Most of the tests have been carried out with a hydrogen partial pressure of 1000 Pa in Pb–17Li at the extractor inlet. The results show that an extraction efficiency of about 25% can be achieved, in the present experimental conditions. However, it appears that the hydrogen mass balance is not correct when using our experimental data and the usual Sievert constant values. Several explanations have been discussed and calculations have been done assuming that the Ks values have to be corrected.