Comprehensive Design and Experimental Protocol for\nScalable and Temperature-Controllable Cryogenic Hydrogen Isotope Separation

Hydrogen\nisotope separation is a complex task due to the nearly\nidentical physical and thermodynamic properties of isotopes, such\nas deuterium and protium. Traditional methods, including cryogenic\ndistillation, exhibit limitations such as low selectivity and high\nenergy consumption. Recent advancements utilizing the quantum sieving\neffect in crystalline porous materials have shown promise under cryogenic\nconditions, but experimental approaches using larger, more practical\nsample sizes remain scarce. This study introduces a novel cryogenic\nbreakthrough apparatus designed for hydrogen isotope separation using\ngram-scale adsorbents. The apparatus supports both refrigerant-based\nand contact-cooling temperature control methods, with precooling employed\nto enhance separation efficiency. Results showed that precooling significantly\nimproved deuterium selectivity over hydrogen, and the contact-cooling\nmethod demonstrated superior thermal stability and reliability during\nextended experiments. This system offers a scalable and practical\nsolution for hydrogen isotope separation, addressing current limitations\nin experimental methodologies and providing valuable insights for\nboth scientific research and industrial applications.