Interpretation of the isotopic separation in the distillation of methyl ether--boron fluoride complex

Technical Report · Wed Oct 03 00:00:00 EST 1945

OSTI ID:6624676

McCaulay, D A

In order to calculate an isotopic separation factor for the equation /sup 10/BF/sub 3/(g) + Me/sub 2/O . /sup 11/BF/sub 3/(1) reversible /sup 11/BF/sub 3/(g) + Me/sub 2/O . /sup 10/BF/sub 3/(1), which represents the equilibrium occurring in one stage of a new rapid method for /sup 10/B analysis, it was necessary to consider the mechanism by which isotopic fractionation occurred in the distillation of the methyl ether--boron fluoride complex. In view of the fact that the /sup 11/B isotope has been shown to be more volatile than the /sup 10/B isotope in all distillations of B compounds in which isotopic separation was observed, it was postulated that separation is due to a chemical exchange reaction and that the difference in vapor pressures between the isotopic compounds is negligible. Expressions were set up for the equilibrium constant K of the above reaction which, when combined with similar expressions for the one plate fractionation factor ..cap alpha.., led to the expression K = 1 + (..cap alpha.. - 1)/(fraction dissociated) from which K is calculated to be 1.027 where ..cap alpha.. = 1.016. These assumptions were substantiated by laboratory experiments which showed an extremely small difference in boiling points between /sup 10/B complex and /sup 11/B complex, and which indicated a value of K = 1.025 +- 0.002. The value K = 1.027 was, therefore, accepted as the desired factor for correcting rapid /sup 10/B analyses.

• Research Organization: Standard Oil Co. of Indiana, Chicago, IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7418-ENG-41
• OSTI ID: 6624676
• Report Number(s): A-2357
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Declassified 12 Mar 1957
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
BORON ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
BORON COMPLEXES
BORON FLUORIDES
EQUILIBRIUM
ISOTOPIC EXCHANGE
METHYL ETHER
BORON COMPOUNDS
COMPLEXES
ETHERS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
400203* - Isotope Exchange & Isotope Separation- (-1987)