Separation of sulfur isotopes by liquid thermal diffusion and by chemical exchange
The application of separated sulphur isotopes as environmental tracers depends upon their cost. Sulphur isotopes can be separated in quantities of several kilograms per year by liquid thermal diffusion and by the SO$sub 2$- bisulphite chemical exchange process. Mound Laboratory is developing both of these processes. Some of the basic problems associated with liquid thermal diffusion have been solved, and an experimental cascade using carbon disulphide as the working fluid is now being used to separate small quantities of material enriched to more than 45 percent sulphur-34. Chemical exchange appears to be a better method of separating sulphur-34. A 5 column chemical exchange cascade using the bisulphite process is now being constructed. The chemical exchange system will be capable of producing 1.2 kg/a of sulphur at an enrichment of 90 percent sulphur-34. Because of the anticipated cost of sulphur isotopes, applications will be limited to small amounts of enriched material. Double tagging of selected compounds may increase the range of usefulness. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Mound Lab., Miamisburg, OH
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-006970
- OSTI ID:
- 4154965
- Country of Publication:
- IAEA
- Language:
- English
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