Catalytic apparatus for isotope exchange

Claim 1

APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE EXCHANGE OF ISOTOPIC SPECIES BETWEEN A VAPOR OF A LIQUID AND A GAS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SHELL, SEPARATED MEANS FOR INTRODUCING SAID LIQUID INTO ONE END OF SAID SHELL AND FOR WITHDRAWING FROM THE OTHER END THEREOF LIQUID ENRICHED IN THE DESIRED ISOTOPE, SEPARATE MEANS FOR INTRODUCING SAID GAS AT THE LIQUID WITHDRAWAL END OF SAID SHELL AND FOR WITHDRAWING AT THE LIQUID INTRODUCTION END OF SAID SHELL GAS IMPOVERISHED IN SAID DESIRED ISOTOPE, A PLURALITY OF CATALYST BEDS POSITIONED IN SPACED RELATION IN THE PATH OF THE GAS THROUGH SAID SHELL, VAPOR-LIQUID CONTACTING MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE CATALYST BEDS, SAID CATALYST BEDS BEING POSITIONED OUT OF CONTACT WIT H THE PATH OF THE LIQUID THROUGH SAID SHELL, CONDUITS COACTING WITH VAPOR LIQUID CONTACTING MEANS ESTABLISH A CONTINUOUS PASSAGEWAY FOR LIQUID THROUGHOUT THE SHELL, SAID CONDUITS DEFINING A BYPASS THROUGH SAID BEDS WHEREBY SAID CATALYST REMAINS OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID LIQUID, AND MEANS IN SAID SHELL REMOTE FROM SAID LIQUID INTRODUCING MEANS FOR VAPORIZING LIQUID.