Wetproofed catalysts for hydrogen isotope exchange

Abstract

Wet proofed catalyst being a hydrophobic porous matrix with catalylically active platinum plus at least one of chromium are titanium dispersed in the matrix.

1 . A wetproofed hydrogen isotope exchange catalyst for exchange between water and hydrogen comprising a hydrophobic porous matrix having dispersed therein catalytically active platinum and at least one other metal selected from the group consisting of chromium and titanium.  
     
     
         2 . The catalyst of  claim 1  wherein the platinum and the at least one other metal are deposited on support particles dispersed in said hydrophobic matrix.  
     
     
         3 . The catalyst of  claim 2  wherein the hydrophobic matrix is polytetrafluoroethylene and said support particles are carbon black.  
     
     
         4 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the platinum and the at least one other metal are deposited on said carbon black support particles by co-precipitation.  
     
     
         5 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the amount of platinum is less than 10% by weight based on the total weight of the support and the deposited metals.  
     
     
         6 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the amount of platinum is from about 2% to about 8% and the amount of the at least one other metal is from about 1% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the support and the deposited metals.  
     
     
         7 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the weight ratio of platinum to the at least one other metal is in the range of 5:1 to 2:5.  
     
     
         8 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the combined amount of platinum and the at least one other metal is about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         9 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the at least one other metal is chromium.  
     
     
         10 . The catalyst of  claim 9  wherein the chromium is deposited on said support by co-precipitation from chromium (III) nitrate.  
     
     
         11 . The catalyst of  claim 10  wherein the catalyst comprises about 8% by weight platinum and about 2% by weight chromium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         12 . The catalyst of  claim 10  wherein the catalyst comprises about 5% by weight platinum and about 5% by weight chromium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         13 . The catalyst of  claim 10  wherein the catalyst comprises about 7% by weight platinum and about 3% by weight chromium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         14 . The catalyst of  claim 3  wherein the at least one other metal is titanium.  
     
     
         15 . The catalyst of  claim 14  wherein the titanium is deposited on said support by co-precipitation from titanium (IV) chloride.  
     
     
         16 . The catalyst of  claim 14  wherein the catalyst comprises about 8% by weight platinum and about 2% by weight titanium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         17 . The catalyst of  claim 14  wherein the catalyst comprises about 5% by weight platinum and about 1% by weight titanium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         18 . The catalyst of  claim 14  wherein the catalyst comprises about 5% by weight platinum and about 2% by weight titanium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         19 . The catalyst of  claim 14  wherein the catalyst comprises about 5% by weight platinum and about 5% by weight titanium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         20 . The catalyst of  claim 14  wherein the catalyst comprises about 2% by weight platinum and about 5% by weight titanium based on the total weight of the support and deposited metals.  
     
     
         21 . A method to catalyse hydrogen isotope exchange between water and hydrogen comprising using the catalyst of  claim 1  to catalyse hydrogen isotopic exchange between water and hydrogen.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  where deuterium isotope exchange is catalysed between water and hydrogen for heavy water production.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the heavy water production is a combined electrolysis and catalytic exchange process.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the heavy water production is a combined industrially reforming and catalytic exchange process.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the heavy water production is a bithermal hydrogen water process.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein tritium isotope exchange is catalysed between water and hydrogen in a detritiation process.