Hydrogen isotope separation by gas chromatography using Pd–Pt alloy

A new type of chromatography for hydrogen isotope separation was developed employing a Pd–Pt alloy (8 at.% Pt) as functional material. It could separate a H2–D2 mixture into H2 and D2 in the temperature range of 274–297 K in a short time with simple operation procedures without introducing any replacement gas. An elusion mechanism plays an important role in the separation, and a replacement mechanism and/or a mixing effect may also be participating. A good separation can be expected under conditions of moderate operation temperature, a high carrier gas pressure and a slow flow rate. The new chromatography has potential for application in isotope separation systems for thermonuclear fusion devices.