The CECE Experimental Industrial Plant for Reprocessing of Tritiated Water Wastes

The experimental industrial plant for hydrogen isotope separation on the basis of the methods of chemical isotope exchange between water and hydrogen and water electrolysis (CECE process) is under operation in Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute. The large-scale studies of hydrogen isotope separation have been ongoing at this plant since 1995. The plant is also used for reprocessing tritium heavy water waste; several tons of reactor quality heavy water have been obtained. The EVIO-4 code allows one to predict the concentration profile in the column under parameter changes. The calculation results are in compliance with the experimental data. The 18,000 hours experience gained during the plant operation shows the high efficiency of isotope separation by CECE process and allows us to regard this process with considerable promise for the industrial use, in particular, for water purification from tritium.