Laboratory Enrichment of Heavy Water by Electrolysis Part II: Effect of Current Density,Cathode Material,and Temperature on the Separation Factor

The different parameters affecting the electrolytic H-D separation factor were investigated. The separation factor α was found to increase with current density and then attains a constant value. With different α increased in the following way: Phosphated iron > iron > stainless steel > nickel. It was found that α decreased as the temperature increased. Applying Arrhenius equation it was possible to calculate the difference in the free energy of activation for proton and deuteron transfer using different cathodes. Excessive reduction in the volume of electrolyte lowered the separation factor. No marked effect on α was observed by changing the type or concentration of electrolyte.