ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Robotics & Remote Systems
The Mission of the Robotics and Remote Systems Division is to promote the development and application of immersive simulation, robotics, and remote systems for hazardous environments for the purpose of reducing hazardous exposure to individuals, reducing environmental hazards and reducing the cost of performing work.
Meeting Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jun 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2025
Nuclear Technology
July 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
NRC cuts fees by 50 percent for advanced reactor applicants
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced it has amended regulations for the licensing, inspection, special projects, and annual fees it will charge applicants and licensees for fiscal year 2025.
Gerald, T. Petersen, Manson, Benedict
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 15 | Number 1 | January 1963 | Pages 90-97
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE63-A26267
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The relative volatility or separation factor for deuterium enrichment in ammonia distillation was measured at pressures of 250, 375, 500, 600, and 760 mm Hg and at deuterium concentrations of 0.10, 0.24, 0.42, and 0.58 mole fraction deuterium. The measurements are summarized by the following equation: In (α) = (0.0395 ±0.0004) − (0.0128 ±0.0029) (x− 0.424) − (0.01246 ± 0.00065) (lnπ/760 mm Hg) where α = separation factor π = system pressure mm Hg x = mole fraction deuterium. It is interesting to note that a dependence on the composition was observed. This is not predicted by the normal method of calculating the separation factor from the vapor pressure ratio However, the magnitude of the separation factor and its dependence on pressure are in good agreement with the vapor pressure ratio predictions (α = 1.042 at 1 atm). This information is helpful in predicting costs of heavy water production by ammonia distillation. It has been stated by Barr and Drews (3) that ammonia distillation would be competitive with other developed methods only if the actual separation factor was at least 1.062 at low deuterium concentration. Since the separation factor observed was only 1.042 at atmospheric pressure, ammonia distillation is not an economic method for producing heavy water. Deutero-ammonia was synthesized by isotopic exchange between natural ammonia and heavy water. Equilibrium determinations were made using an Othmer still modified for low temperature operation. The ammonia samples were analyzed for deuterium content by converting them to water by passage over hot copper oxide, followed by a differential density determination using the falling drop method.