Separation of selected stable isotopes by liquid-phase thermal diffusion and by chemical exchange
Useful applications of enriched stable nuclides are unduly restricted by high cost and limited availability. Recent research on liquid phase thermal diffusion (LTD) has resulted in practical processes for separating /sup 34/S, /sup 35/Cl, and /sup 37/Cl in significant quantities (100 to 500 g/yr) at costs much lower than those associated with the electromagnetic (Calutron) process. The separation of the isotopes of bromine by LTD is now in progress and /sup 79/Br is being produced in relatively simple equivalent at a rate on the order of 0.5 g/day. The results of recent measurements show that the isotopes of Zn can be separated by LTD of zinc alkyls. The isotopes of calcium can be separated by LTD and by chemical exchange. The LTD process is based on the use of aqueous Ca(NO/sub 3/)/sub 2/ as a working fluid. The chemical exchange method involves isotopically selective exchange between an aqueous phase containing a calcium salt and an organic phase containing calcium in the form of a complex with a macrocyclic ligand. The LTD method is suitable for high enrichments at low through-puts; whereas, the chemical exchange techniques is appropriate for lower enrichments at much higher production rates. Current research is directed toward reducing these concepts to practical processes.
- Research Organization:
- Monsanto Research Corp., Miamisburg, OH (USA). Mound Facility
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00053
- OSTI ID:
- 7094433
- Report Number(s):
- MLM-2992-OP; CONF-820909-9; ON: DE82021348
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
400203* -- Isotope Exchange & Isotope Separation-- (-1987)
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BROMINE 79
BROMINE 81
BROMINE ISOTOPES
CALCIUM 40
CALCIUM 48
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM ISOTOPES
CALCIUM NITRATES
CHLORINE 35
CHLORINE 37
CHLORINE ISOTOPES
DATA
DIFFUSION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
SECONDS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STABLE ISOTOPES
SULFUR 34
SULFUR 36
SULFUR ISOTOPES
THERMAL COLUMNS
THERMAL DIFFUSION
ZINC ISOTOPES