Isotope Separation by Multiple Contact, (I)

Abstract

An analytical procedure for the reverse frontal process has been developed for the case in which a finite amount of one chemical substance is equilibrated isotopically step by step with the same amount of another substance, and the isotopic equilibrium separation factor remains constant throughout the exchange. The isotope effect between two phases was strictly taken into consideration in the mathematical development.The conclusions obtained are as follows : (I) Equations for the isotope abundance ratios of materials at the refluxing position and at the closing part of the effluent curve were obtained in simple form.(2) An approximate estimate for the number of units and for the separation factor were obtained by drawing the effluent curve from experiment. (3) A completely:;:::separated sample could not be obtained so long as the number of units was finite.

Isotope Separation by Multiple Contact, (II)

“…The isotopic exchange reaction adopted in Paper I, (1) will again be employed to determine the characteristics of the frontal process. Here, the isotopic equilibrium constant is given by K = (A 1~) j_(AX) = ~l_ ( …”

“…In order to simplify the algebra of multiplication, it will be assumed that (1) the two isotopes are exchanged reversibly in a given two-phase system, and a remains constant over the concentration range covered; (2) The equilibrium contacting units are arranged in a series numbered 1, 2, 3, · · ·, n, as shown in Fig. I, from left to right.…”