Research Progress in Tritium Processing Technologies: A Review

Zhao, Ziqian; Sun, Yandong; Chen, Qi; Li, Tianchi; Liu, Fang; Yan, Taihong; Zheng, Weifang

doi:10.3390/separations12020033

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Open AccessReview

Research Progress in Tritium Processing Technologies: A Review

by

Ziqian Zhao

,

Yandong Sun

,

Qi Chen

,

Tianchi Li

,

Fang Liu

^*,

Taihong Yan

and

Weifang Zheng

^*

China Institute of Atomic Energy, P.O. Box 275 (26), Beijing 102413, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Separations 2025, 12(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020033

Submission received: 22 December 2024 / Revised: 24 January 2025 / Accepted: 26 January 2025 / Published: 27 January 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on New Technology and Equipment of Multiphase Flow Separation)

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Abstract

Recent advancements in tritium separation technologies have significantly improved efficiency, particularly through the integration of vapor phase catalytic exchange (VPCE), liquid phase catalytic exchange (LPCE), and combined electrolysis catalytic exchange (CECE) methods. Combining these techniques overcomes individual limitations, enhancing separation efficiency and reducing energy consumption. The CECE process, which integrates electrolysis with catalytic exchange, offers high separation factors, making it effective for high-concentration tritiated water treatment. Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) technology has also gained prominence for its higher efficiency, smaller equipment size, and longer lifespan compared to traditional alkaline electrolysis. While electrolysis offers high separation factors, its high energy demand limits its cost-effectiveness for large-scale operations. As a result, electrolysis is often combined with other methods like CECE to optimize both energy consumption and separation efficiency. Future research will focus on improving the energy efficiency of electrolysis for large-scale, low-cost tritiated water treatment.

Keywords: tritium separation; electrolysis; catalytic exchange; deuterium-tritium water treatment

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zhao, Z.; Sun, Y.; Chen, Q.; Li, T.; Liu, F.; Yan, T.; Zheng, W. Research Progress in Tritium Processing Technologies: A Review. Separations 2025, 12, 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020033

AMA Style

Zhao Z, Sun Y, Chen Q, Li T, Liu F, Yan T, Zheng W. Research Progress in Tritium Processing Technologies: A Review. Separations. 2025; 12(2):33. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020033

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Ziqian, Yandong Sun, Qi Chen, Tianchi Li, Fang Liu, Taihong Yan, and Weifang Zheng. 2025. "Research Progress in Tritium Processing Technologies: A Review" Separations 12, no. 2: 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020033

APA Style

Zhao, Z., Sun, Y., Chen, Q., Li, T., Liu, F., Yan, T., & Zheng, W. (2025). Research Progress in Tritium Processing Technologies: A Review. Separations, 12(2), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020033

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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