Nitrogen Isotope Exchange between Liquid N2O3 and NO at Low Temperature and Elevated Pressure

Abstract

The single stage separation factor, a, for nitrogen isotope exchange between liquid N2O3—N2O4-mixtures and their vapor has been measured at temperatures ranging from — 76°C to room temperature and pressures between 1 atm. and 7.4 atm. At —76°C and 1 atm., α = 1.061 ± 0.003; at —23°C and 1 atm., α=1.034 ± 0.002; at +23°C and 2.1 atm., α=1.017 ± 0.002; at +23°C and 7.4 atm., α=1.030 ± 0.002. The results are compared with values, calculated from spectroscopic data for N2O3, N2O4, NO and NO2. The value of α = 1.030 found at room temperature and 7.4 atm. pressure enhances the usefulness of the N2O3—NO-system for separating the nitrogen isotopes, since it eliminates the need of refrigeration.