Process of and apparatus for the extraction, purification and collection of radium emanation

Abstract

Abstract Radium emanation--radon--is subjected to a preliminary freezing which removes water vapour, hydrogen chloride, and organic vapours, the gaseous radon together with accompanying carbon dioxide is then solidified by freezing, and the gaseous impurities--hydrogen, oxygen, and helium--removed, the emanation is revaporized and the carbon dioxide separated by treatment with fused caustic potash. Radium bromide or chloride is treated with hydrochloric acid in a soda-glass flask A <PICT:0479224/III/1> <PICT:0479224/III/2> encased in lead and enclosed in a safe; a quantity of the evolved gas is delivered by a Toepler pump C to a coil E surrounded by a mixture of solid carbon dioxide and acetone. By manipulation of mercury in the base M, the partly purified radon is transferred to bulb I and thence to bulb K where it is compressed into the neck L surrounded by liquid air; the hydrogen &c. are vented through a valve 7 opened several times momentarily, and the liquid air is blown away, allowing the radon to revaporize and afterwards forced into a tube O lined with fused caustic potash which is heated to cause absorption of the carbon dioxide; the purified emanation may be delivered to a capillary tube P of gold or it may be drawn back into the neck L and again frozen by liquid air, vented for removal of hydrogen &c. and retreated with caustic potash before passing to the capillary tube. The system is preliminarily evacuated by a diffusion pump DP and an oil backing pump OP; the degree of vacuum being tested by electric discharge in the space G. The Toepler pump &c. may be of glass known under the Registered Trade Mark "Pyrex," secured to the lead-glass tube a<1> by a joint, Fig. 2, comprising tapered engaging ends surrounded by picene or other wax in a cup c<5> which may be integral with the tubulus c<4> on the pump.

Inventors

No inventors recorded.

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