Concentration of Bromide Ions in Seawater by Isotopic Exchange with Mercurous Bromide

In a previous study it was reported that silver bromide can concentrate the radioactive bromide ions in seawater by a process of isotopic exchange. Mercurous bromide looked more favorable because of its lower solubility and lower cost and it was thus used to determine its effectiveness, relative to silver bromide, in concentrating bromide ions from seawater. The effect of the height of the mercurous bed, flow rate and volume (residence time) of the seawater on the amount of bromide ions exchanged was studied. Each of the variables was found to have a significant effect. The results indicated that under the same conditions mercurous bromide can concentrate the bromide ion in seawater slightly more than the silver bromide.