Thermal Separation of Isotopes

Abstract

The performance of a simple, multi-stage apparatus for the separation of isotopes by thermal diffusion is discussed. All parts are built of copper pipe, each unit being based on a ½-inch G.E. Calrod heater of 2 meters effective heating length. Tests with a C${\mathrm{H}}_4$—${\mathrm{N}}_2$ mixture show that convective coupling of the bottom of one unit with the top of the next functions well. In the case of C${\mathrm{H}}_4$, with two units preceded by a scrubber which maintains economically normal C${\mathrm{H}}_4$ at the "light" end, and with $\Delta T=370\mathrm{}$°C between the two surfaces, the ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ content at the "heavy" end at equilibrium is 2.77 times the normal amount. A single unit with $\Delta T=400\mathrm{}$°C filled with neon at 1.5—1 atmosphere gives a separation factor of 8 for ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{22}$/${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$. The relative separations produced in C${\mathrm{H}}_4$ and Ne are shown to be in agreement with the theory.