Heavy water, its production and properties

In the distant past, people did not think about what the water is and what its origin is. There was an opinion that this is an element, but now it is known that it is a chemical compound.

In 1932 the whole world flew news that on the planet Earth besides simple there is heavy water. Now it is already known that there may be 135 of its isotope species.

Composition

Heavy water, still called deuterium oxide, does not differ in chemical composition from simple ordinary, but instead of hydrogen atoms contained in water, there are 2 heavy isotopes of hydrogen, the so-called deuterium. Heavy water has the formula 2H2O or D2O. Externally, there is no difference between heavy and simple fluid, but in their properties they differ.

Chemical reactions in heavy water are weaker than in the ordinary.

Heavy water is slightly toxic. Scientific experiments have shown that the replacement of light hydrogen atoms by deuterium by 25%, causes infertility in animals. If you increase its content even more in water, the animal dies. However, a number of organisms survive at 70% deuterium (infusoria shoe). A person without health consequences can drink about a glass of such liquid. In this case, deuterium is excreted from the body for several days.

Heavy water has the property of accumulating in the remainder of the electrolyte, if a multiple water electrolysis is carried out . It absorbs vapors of simple liquid in the open air, i.e. It is hygroscopic.

One of the most important properties of this type of water is that it almost does not absorb neutrons, and this allows it to be used in nuclear reactors for the neutron deceleration process, and in chemistry it is used as an isotope indicator.

Heavy water, receipt

In 1933-1946 the only method of enrichment was electrolysis. More advanced technologies appeared later. Modern mass production in the input stream uses a liquid distilled from the electrolyte, with a heavy water content of 0.1-0.2%.

The first stage of concentration uses a two-temperature countercurrent hydrogen sulphide technology for isotope exchange, the concentration at the outlet of heavy water is 5-10%. The second stage is cascade electrolysis of alkaline solution at zero temperature, the output concentration is 99.75-99.995%.

Russian scientists have developed original technologies for the production and treatment of heavy water. In 1995, an installation with high efficiency was put into commercial operation. The production fully meets the demand of enterprises for heavy water in any amount, and also allows exporting it abroad.

Application

Heavy water is used in various biological and chemical processes. Scientists have determined that such a liquid prevents the development of bacteria, fungi, algae, and if it contains 50% of deuterium, it acquires antimutagenic properties, promotes the growth of biological mass and accelerates puberty in humans.

European scientists conducted experiments on mice with a malignant tumor. Heavy water destroyed both the disease and its carriers. It was found that such water does not work well on plants and animals. In experimental subjects who were given heavy water, the kidneys were destroyed and the metabolism was upset. At high doses of water, animals died. With a small volume (up to 25%), the animals gained weight and brought a good offspring, and hens increased egg production.

The question of what will happen if we completely get rid of deuterium remains open.

Comparison of the properties of light and heavy water

The answer to the question of the difference between a natural light and a heavy fluid depends on who it was asked to.

By chemical properties between them there is almost no difference. In each of them, sodium equally identifies hydrogen, in the course of electrolysis both of these water equally decompose, their chemical properties also coincide, because they have the same composition.

The physical properties of these fluids are different: the boiling point and freezing point are not the same, and they have different density and vapor pressure. Heavy and light water decomposes during electrolysis at different rates.

From the biological point of view, the question is quite complicated, there is still work to be done.