22–26 Jul 2024
CICG - GENEVA, Switzerland
Europe/Zurich timezone

Simulation Analysis and Optimization on Steady-state Characteristics of Cryogenic Distillation for Helium Isotope Separation

24 Jul 2024, 14:00
2h
Poster area

Poster area

Poster Presentation (120m) ICEC 11: Instrumentation and process control Wed-Po-2.4

Speaker

Huan Chen (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry CAS)

Description

The helium isotope separation system based on cryogenic distillation represents a pivotal part in the purification of helium-3 (3He). In this study, we designed and simulated a cryogenic distillation column using the tridiagonal matrix algorithm. The liquid holdup and pressure drop for each theoretical stage were modeled using a general packed column model, with predictions based on known packing and fluid properties. We also predicted the steady-state separation characteristics of the column under various conditions. Our investigation focused on the impact of parameters such as the number of theoretical stages, feed location, flow rates, and feed composition on product quality, condenser duty, and liquid holdup. The optimal operating conditions were identified with a 4% mixture of 3He/(3He+4He) in saturated liquid condition, resulting in 99.9% yield of 3He at the top of the column. The current research significantly contributes to the guidance of complicated experiments involving cryogenic distillation of helium isotope.

Submitters Country 中国

Authors

Huan Chen (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry CAS) Laifeng Li (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry CAS) Liguo Wang (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences) Niannian Dai (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry CAS) Peng Jia (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry CAS) Qianxi Qu (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences) dong xu (Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry CAS)

Presentation materials