GB889828A - Process for dehydrating the catalyst in deuterium exchange installations - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0889828/III/1> The catalyst, separated from water in a deuterium-exchange process between hydrogen and water containing a catalyst in suspension, is dehydrated by exposure to a stream of hydrogen having a lower D- content than the water adhering to the catalyst, and the hydrogen is passed into an exchange process with water. H2 generated from water in 21 is passed through exchange column 22 in countercurrent to water containing suspended catalyst. The water is withdrawn at 29 and passed to separator 23, whence the water is returned to the generator 21. The separated catalyst passed to dehydrator 24, whence it is returned through 212 to the water feed at 213. Part of the water containing suspended catalyst is withdrawn at 214 and passed through cold (5 DEG -100 DEG C.) column 27 and hot (150 DEG -250 DEG C.) column 25, of a dual temperature isotope exchange unit, and returned at 218 to the main stream. The hydrogen used to dehydrate the catalyst in 24 passes in closed circuit through columns 25, 27, in countercurrent to the water, and a part circulation is withdrawn at 222 to flow through further cold and hot columns 28, 26 and returned at 225. A closed circuit of water containing suspended catalyst flows countercurrent through 28, 26 and product is withdrawn at 228 or passed to additional stages. In a simpler arrangement (Fig. 1, not shown) a simple exchange occurs in an exchange column associated with H2 generator, catalyst separator, and dehydrator, wherein a part of the H2 from the exchange column is used in the dehydrator and is added to the gas passing to the exchange column.