Thermal Diffusion Factor of Argon from Column Operation

Abstract

A 3‐m glass hot‐wire column has been used to study the separation of argon isotopes. The operational criteria for obtaining maximum enrichment are investigated by using both alternating (ac) and direct (dc) currents to heat the wire and determining the variation of separation factor with pressure, the ratio θ₀ of temperature of hot wire to cold wall, and the number of spacers. By the quasitheoretical method outlined by Raman et al., the thermal diffusion factor α_T of argon is computed. In accordance with theory, higher θ₀ values lead to enhanced separation. When centering of the wire is improved with spacers, dc heating leads to a greater increase in enrichment than with ac. The average value of α_T at 280°K over the pressure range of 45 to 75 cm is found to be 0.0112±0.0015.