The Separation of Gaseous Isotopes by Diffusion

The design and use of a 34-member apparatus of the Hertzian type for the separation of gaseous isotopes by diffusion are described. Results of tests of the speed of various types and numbers of separation members are given. Tests on mixtures of carbon dioxide and argon at a few millimeters pressure give the same results as tests on the neon isotopes. The equilibrium time, from ten to fifteen hours, and the separation factor, 80, of a 24-member apparatus, working on mixtures of such gases, are found to be independent of the initial mixing ratios. Results obtained with the 34-member apparatus on methane, to concentrate C¹³, and on nitrogen, to concentrate N¹⁵, are shown to be in reasonable agreement with appropriate theory. Methane containing 16 percent of C¹³H₄^{}{}_{}{}¹$, and nitrogen containing 6 percent of ${N}¹⁴N¹⁵, instead of the normal 1 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively, have been produced.