Hydrogen Economy: What will they do with the deuterium?

[joegatt]

As the world looks around for eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, it appears that hydrogen is the favourite of the powers that be. This is a bit puzzling, mainly because hydrogen itself is not a source of energy but simply a means of energy storage and energy transfer. Moreover, safe and convenient handling techniques are still being developed.

But if the authorities concerned are looking at the electrolysis of water as a way to get the hydrogen, an opportunity presents itself for making large quantities of deuterium. We all wish that High Temperature Fusion reactors are just around the corner. But until these can actually be built, what will they be doing with all that deuterium?

Regards
Joseph

[xingu]

Could you be more specific about the Deuterium you mention?
Where does this come into the picture?
Do you have any experience with it?

[joegatt]

Deuterium is present in normal water at very low concentrations. During normal electrolysis of water, the heavy-water molecules tend to be left behind. So the remaining water has a higher concentration of Deuterium. By collecting the residual water and repeating the process many times over you get a high concentration of heavy water.

Having said this, I have to admit that I have no experience whatsoever in the manufacture of Deuterium. It might turn out, for instance, that what I said above might not apply to the high pressure (or catalyst assisted) electolysers used in industry. In that case it might turn out to be too much hassle to try to get Deuterium as a by-product.

Cheers
Joseph

[xingu]

I know that the concentraton of Deuterium in water is app. 1 in 6000. Further what you describe is exactly what is happening in my experiments in a combined electrolyzer/fuel cell. After a while using the same water over and over again the reaction of H2 and O2 into H2O will indeed not be completely and so spontaneously any more. It takes more time.
Did you also do this same experiment? And were you also able to measure the increase in D?

Because I did not feel safe anymore, I stopped experimenting and was looking for someone who has gone this way already. I'm glad you brought this forward, because I reached the same conclusion.
What do you suggest to counteract the danger of radiation?

Kind regards
Xingu

[pese]

Help for you:

http://www.google.de/search?hl=de&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=deuterium+danger+radiation&spell=1