HEAVY WATER EXPERT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27097, 21 July 1953, Page 8

HEAVY WATER EXPERT

Final Reports About

Wairakei

DR. H. R. C. PRATT VISITS UNIVERSITY Dr. H. R. C. Pratt, who is in charge of the heavy water project at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, . Harwell, is visiting New Zealand with two other British consultants to make the final report on which the two Governments will decide whether to proceed with the production of heavy water from geothermal steam at Wairakei. In Christchurch yesterday Dr. Pratt said his party had been gathering information on labour and materials required for an accurate forecast of costs. Dr. Pratt will leave tomorrow for Australia.

Although he declined to elaborate on proposals for Wairakei, Dr. Pratt spoke generally on the production of heavy water. The concentration of heavy water in ordinary water had been correctly described as “one drop in a cupful,” he said. The actual figure was about one part in 7000. An enormous amount of steam was required and the geothermal output of Wairakei was a promising source. A new type of distillation column, developed at Harwell, had improved its heavy water possibilities economically. “It is more compact but it is still pretty big,” Dr. Pratt said. The plant for producing heavy water, with its tall columns, would resemble an oil refinery. Asked whether the export of heavy water (which is used as a moderator in atomic piles) presented any problems, Dr. Pratt said this was the least of the difficulties. Heavy water was harmless and could be transported in ordinary drums, provided they were strong enough to withstand accidents which might cause wastage of a product valued at something over £4O a pound.

Opportunities for Engineers If the heavy water project at Wairakei was approved, there was no reason why its design, erection, and operation should not be undertaken by New Zealanders, Dr. Pratt said, in answer to another question. Such a project would undoubtedly open up new opportunities for chemical engineers in New Zealand.

Dr. Pratt came to Christchurch to visit the chemical engineering department of Canterbury University College. This is the only department in the University of New Zealand exclusively devoted to the training of chemical engineers. Special studies were first provided in 1944 as part of the chemistry department. In 1950 chemical engineering became a separate department of the National School of Engineering. As the only training centre in New Zealand the department had an important place in projected developments. Dr. Pratt said.

Yesterday Dr. Pratt spent most of the day with the lecturer in charge (Mr S. R. Siemon), the senior lecturer (Dr. T. Hagyard), and students of chemical engineering. He inspected the new 35ft “spinning cross” distillation column in which the department has introduced a new mixing method for the production of heavy water. Later he addressed students in the National School of Engineering. Dr. Pratt has spent most of his life as a. chemical engineer in the chemical industry. He joined the Ministry of Supply about four years ago.