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.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
May 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2026
Nuclear Technology
April 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Nuclear Energy Strategy announced at CNA2026
At the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference (CNA2026) in Ottawa, Ontario, on April 29, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson announced that Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is developing a new Nuclear Energy Strategy for the country. The strategy, which is slated to be released by the end of this year, will be based on four objectives: 1) enabling new nuclear builds across Canada, 2) being a global supplier and exporter of nuclear technology and services, 3) expanding uranium production and nuclear fuel opportunities, and 4) developing new Canadian nuclear innovations, including in both fission and fusion technologies.
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.