Fundamental studies on the ion exchange separation of isotopes, (5). Separation factor of uranium isotopes using ion exchanger

The breakthrough experiments have been done through a cation exchange resin column of 100 cm height and 1 cm diameter with 0.6 N and 2 N hydrochloric acid solutions containing greater part of uranous ions together with smaller uranyl ions. For each experiment the largest depletion of ²³⁵U was found at the front of uranous breakthrough, while minor depletion was also observed at the front of uranyl fraction. A equation giving the approximate value for the separation factor S₂₃₈²³⁵ from the breakthrough results was derived: S₂₃₈²³⁵=1+D/Q∙1/R₀ where D is total depletion of ²³⁵U in eluates, Q is total amount of uranium adsorbed on the column and R₀ is the mole fraction of ²³⁵U in the original sample solution. The values 1.00028∼1.00048 were obtained for S₂₃₈²³⁵ from the equation. (author)