[1H01-05] Isootope Separation

[1H04] Applicability Evaluation of Simulated Moving Bed Process for Separation of Lithium Isotopes

*Shotaro Kato¹, Shun Komura¹, Toshimasa Ohashi¹, Takahiko Sugiyama¹ (1. Nagoya Univ.)

Keywords:simulated moving bed, separation of lithium isotopes, distribution coefficient, cation exchanger

Applicability of a simulated moving bed (SMB) process, which is used in the separation of sugar groups, was evaluated for the separation of lithium isotopes. A commercial cation exchanger, which is silica gel support modified with sulfone group was used as adsorbent. Distribution coefficients of lithium were measured by batch experiments using aqueous solutions of lithium acetate. Key parameters of SMB process such as column length, switching cycle, and flow rate were estimated based on the obtained values of distribution coefficients.