LA-1156 by Jon Morrow

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LA--1156

““’

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LOS AL.A.MOS SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY OF

THE

UNIVERSITY (OFCALIFORNIA CONTRACT

W-7405.ENG. 36 WITH

U. S.ATOMIC ENERGY COMMIM1ON

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UNCLASSIFIED LOS

ALAMIOS

SCIENTIFIC

LABORATORY

of THE

September

LITHIU.M

Work

done

Joseph

UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA

1950

L.A-1156

ISOTOPE

SEPARATION

by: Kennedy

ISC)TOPE

ELECTR.OLYSIS

Report

written

Joseph

SEPARATION

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by:

Kennedy

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UNCLASSIFIED ISOTOPE SEPARATION

Los A@llOS STANDARD DISTRIBUTION Argonne NationalLaboratory Atomic Energy Commission, Washington Brookhaven National Laboratory Division(K-25)Plant) Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Carbide and Carbon ChemicalsDivision(Y-12) Plant)

ChicagoOperationsOffice GeneralElectricCompany,Richland HanfordOperationsOffice Iowa StateCollege . KnollsAtomicPowerLaboratory New York OperationsOffice Oak RidgeNationalLaboratory PatentBranch,Washington TechnicalInfomnationD1.tision, ORE Universityof CaliforniaRadiationLaboratory

6 1 15 3

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;-.. _

2 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE UNCLASSIFIED

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UNCLASSIFIED

LITHIUM

ISOTO>E

Introduction. separation

earliest,

Lewis

a spray

was

for

experiment

Chemical H.

Urey

tween

The

and LiBr

process

a single

exchange

(J.

stage

58,

(1936))

2519

solutions

column;

obtained Chem.

used

have

alcohol

by zeolite

( J.

1947,

tried.

for

(J.

salt

LiCl

mixture.

The

equilibrium

twice

562)

the

estimated

a = 1.025. T.- I.

Taylor

the partition

Chem.

exchange

were

i~bout

factor

been

enrichment

allowed

lithiu.rn

at or near

Sot.

separation

methods

and methylamyl

fractionation

they

literature.

experiments

down through

salt

of the

the

of these

in an ethanol -dioxane

Urey

found. no isotopic

water

and slight

scale,

to fall

at the bottom

- current

abundant

droplets

with

in the published

(J. A. C. S.

column.

concentrated

ELECTROLYSIS

concerned

described

MacDonald

alcohol

natural

are

the largest

amalgam

ethyl

a counter

this

in a 18-meter

in absolute

for

and R.

of experiments

isotopes

and actually

of lithium

solutions

Li6

A number

—

of lithium

In the

SEPARATION

Phys.

of LiBr

Chem.

and

597

Phys.

be-

(1937))

6, —

429

(1938)). A. 2a , 245 — salt

Klemm, (1947))

in this

Hinterberger,

studied

and P.

the fractionation

Hoernes

of isotopes

(Z.

Naturforsch.

of lithium

in fused

cell:

carbon At 630 UC,

PbCl z

in a tube

rent

density

5 amp.

LiCl

with Li7/Li6 A number

LiCl

+ KC1

O. 41 cm cm

-2

PbC12

inner

, after

= 44 (natural of investigators

carbon.

diameter 48 hours

and 15 cm. long, they

value

12. 7).

have

found

obtained

a considerable

UN(XASNHEII APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

with

130 mg

isotopic

cur-

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

fractionation cathode

to form

referred they

give

Hutchison

for

(J.

cm this

-2

than in the

experimental

separation

by exchange

lithium

amalgam,

and by molecular

electromagnetic Analysis

gests would

separation

be considerably

provided

solutio=

with the design water

solution

in the design current

systems

of a simple of lithium

for

a large

volume

ordinarily

the net. reaction, are

considered

the

The

2H20

+ 2e-

cathode

The

analy-

on lithium

those

involving

50-6-161),

and

and for

of the

probably

must the

cathode

efficiency

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

method

associated

apparatus.

= H2 + 20H-.

current

very

problems

provision

evolved

sug-

electromagnetic

practical

30~0

above

by electrolysis

electrolyte

about

111 (1938))

work

survey

electrolysis

of gas

O. 47

— and 39° C.

(ORNL

than the

to certain

is the

50-6-177),

isotopes

multistage

-2

primarily

economical

salt

outline

Problem.

of lithium

for

of cur-

in the isotopic

distillation

(ORNL

can be fcund

inefficiency:

to produce

method

found

between 44,

conditions.

reports

reactions,

of the Electrolysis

that the

likely

independent

Electrochemie

Laboratory

(1940))

density

LiOH;

cm-2.

(in the range

at O. 07 amp.

are

869

~ O. 005,

reaction

(Zeits.

results

National

8, —

and of current

isotope

by the

back

[Z = 1. 079

these

used

Oak Ridge

Hell.eck

process

between

methods

Phys.

already

and aqueous

O. 62 amp.

a = 1.055

of cathode

at a mercury

in papers

LiCl

density

Chem.

ethanol

ions

and Urey,

of aqueous

at current

O. 25 to O. 65),

and O. 71 amp.

tical

LiCl

of amount

efficiencies

difference

for

of Lit

Taylor

electrolysis

or in absolute

temperature,

deposition

amalgam.

the

.4.

and C.

reported

electrolytic

lithium

a = 1.039

in water

rent

the

tq studied

Johnston LiCl

for

If a be made

cathodic current

If non-aqueous can be much

goes

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

higher

than

a system costs

70~.

needs

will

and the

to be found

result

because

aqueous

electrolytes.

followed

in this

first

although

ciency,

research;

as is

shown

cup would be

would

be the

tion

1. 05;

of the factor

a = 1.05

We have amalgam even

Hz is evolved. somewhat or bromide

the

would

be indicated.

slowly cathode

Higher

ether

might

high,

be described

Cathode which

Efficiency.

lithium

10()~~) cathode

column

each

or iron

115 cells

surfaces

on the bottom of Li6

is not known for

such

shallow

copper

enrichment

Thus

could effi-

and the amalgam

effect

electrolyte

for

absolute

also specific

would

but assump-

a. single

(115 cups)

does react

stage

(Cell)

the product

with

for

system. than

lithium

Lithium

with

not approach

resistances

except

this

ethanol

of the order

be suitable

been

efficiency

Also are

about

with

alcohols

slowly.

in alcohol

the

isotope

have

(probably

would)

the

of non-

in a vertical

In this

anode

a suitable

case

cathode

and with

from

on top and anode

At each

sought

power

promising.

(essentially

platinum

be 95 ~o Li

electric

will

at High

wet by mercury

would

reacts

in this

Anhydrous

1.00

approximately,

at equilibrium

high

- cathode

at each

electrolyte

in Figure

cup.

now

be separated

surely

electrodes

intermediate

be about

could

but such

conductance

systems

Systems

at very

0$ a metal

satisfactory;

specific

are

a practical

schematically

would

each

systems

isotopes

higher

less,

the se two approaches

in Non-Aqueous

be made

probably

the non-aqueous

as amalgam

lithium

correspondingly

of the lower

available

be deposited

and very

the aqueous

were

evolution

Essentially

Electrolysis If there

gas

100~., amalgam

of lithium

of several the very

water,

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

and though

chloride

hundred high

but

ohms.

resistance

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I!.n

‘/—

OVERFLOW PIPE FOR SPENT ELECTROLYTE

●

GLASS OR OTHER SUITABLE JACKET ‘:,,? .... :,>V “4...:.:!:,i f,,,,,,,. ,,,,. ,...-,. -c ““’ \ 4 ‘SHALLOW METAL CIJP WITH HOLES NEAR h CIRCUMFERENCE FCIR AMALGAM TO SEEP ● THROUGH .-f,.:.:,,-, ,..:.,,::,/ .’.. ..’.. .,J.,.. ‘..’ ;,:,. .,..”, .,.:,

M . . . , .\,,.. M— w

>—LITHIUM

,.!

... .

. ... .

. <*>

LITHIUM

AMALGAM SALT IN NON-AQUEOUS

SOLVENT

SMALL TUBES THROUGH CUPS TO PERMIT ELECTROLYTE AND GAS BUBBLE FLOW

SOLVENT INTRODUCED HERE AT A SLOW RATE TO PROVIDE COUNTER-CURRENT FLOW

●

—AMALGAM WITHDRAWN HERE,LITHIUM STRIPPED OUT AND IN PART RETURNED WITH SOLVENT

) ~~

RESIDUAL LITHIUM

IS PRODUCT Li6

STFtlPPED MERCURY RETURNED TO TOP OF COLUMN AFTER CONVERSION TO AMALGAM BY ADC4TION OF FRESH LITHIUM

FIG. I VERTICAL COLUMN FOR MULTISTAGE ELECTROLYSIS IN NON-AQUEOUS SYSTEM -6-

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

even

of saturated LiCl

I in ether.

(Lasczynsky

Pyridine

solvent

for

(1897),

and Richards

and Garrod

(1910)),

but the latter

authc)rs

with pyridine

to give

at its

point

boiling

gam

solid

this

reaction

at this

and Keyes

trodes

in conjunction

boiling

point

stants

(J. A. C.S.

its

higher,

and higher

heat

a day.

290

Chem.

72,

reacts

slowly

183

ax-nr-nonia

Liquid

but lithium

temperatures

amal-

(and pressures)

to as EDA, inert

Electrochem. of Li

temperature. evolution,

The

specific

only

two or three

times

metals

74, —

609

of this that

The

and ha=

lower

higher

specific

This

(1938)).

solid

solution

of a water

boils

but it dishigher

aliphatic

dielectric

Putnam

solution

there

Kobe,

per

same

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

the

liter

is a large

50 ohms,

of the

determined

is centainly

is roughly

and

and to be

weights

in EDA

phase

which

and K. A.

We have

formula

H2-

at 116. 1°C,

solvent

con-

resistance.

substance,

ionizing

(G. L.

elecThe

by ethylenediamine,

,Li I is dissolved

subsequent

16, (Joe,

is 6.17.

at 8. 5°C,

to be O. 9 gram

When

resistance

salt

to be a good

Sot.

and the

less

amalgam

in ethylamine.

low,

constant

melts

lithium”

dissolved

(at 25°C).

alkali

I in EDA

salts

to be offered

amine

is known toward

(1913)) used

so “give much

seemed

of 1.725

room

lithium

viscosities

viscosity

340

but dissolve

promise.

+ 2NH~

dielectric

a relative

volubility

phys~~k,

readily,

is inconveniently

This

Trans.

35, —

with

readily;

boil

unusually

as a conducting

amalgam

about

at ‘higher

= HZ + 2Li+

N-CH2-CH2-NH2.

refer

lithium

used

Electrochem.

lithium

after

not oxidize

of ethylamine

LiCl

that

tempe:rature;

+ 2NH3

Lewis

amines

Zeit.

- Thomas,

note

been

proceeds:

2Li

solves

and Gorsky,

a precipitate

does

has

1. x EDA.

which

concentration.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

determined

amalgam.

A sample

in a glass

-stoppered

0.100

A sample

days

was

test

for

electrode

was

10 ml of 6.2

the anode

four

cell for

suitability

days

after

was

the work.

without

under

KDA

EDA

was

after

four

3.5

would

were

of initial

it could

90~0,

a cell

The

:relative

of the amalgams

change

emf

concentration

41 ‘$0 of the original would efficiencyll

the time

cycle.

(by chemical

value. have

In 72 hours

was

an impressed at

the anode

negligible

gas

in each

evo-

amalgam

estimates

be made

72 hours

was

the initial

each

by a time-switch.

could

analysis)

with

and crude

After

line

all the lithium

of lithium

concentration

loses

electrolyte

Actually

almost

of the absolute

during

current

emf,

mined

of vacuum

the

intervals

amounts

be deter

set up in which

in 49 minutes.

and with

to ca-

,of handling

current

of the back

in back

was

average

at 5 - minute

anode

only

because

At this

interruption The

from

due to the lack

oxidized

reversed

72 hours,

that is of the fraction

O. 47 F amalgam;

I in EDA.

been

this

electrolysis

primarily

of initially

have

is a test

by measurements

cathode

kept

lithium

purpose

Consequently

of O. 8 F Li

followed

(amalgam)

towards

the concentration

for

experiment

was, at least this

of EDA

efficiency”,

In a simple

ran without

amalgam

inert

O. 114 F was

bottle

v was 54 milliamperes.

and cathode

were

initially

after

unoxidized

error;

facilities

lution

essentially

in a similar

cathode

efficiency

and assay

The

kept

remaining

that this

emf

bottle;

amalgams.

about

was

of amalgam

of the

“effective

amalgam thode

EDA

down to O. 031 F,

A final of the

that

from

the

average

down to O. 20 F,

amount

bee:n deposited

44 times,

so the

is 100 - 100 - 41

= 98. 7~0.

Actually

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

the

of lithium “effective this

figure

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

a lower trace

limit;

some

of water

the true

lithium

be working

efficiency’! times

limitation

EDA

is not without

very

kindly

section C-o.

EDA

Our

of compound melts

producing

lithium

a black

Electrolysis inevitable

copious

then

current

the rate column

at which

as the drops a cell

would

fractionation.

for

and this

If the

will cell

worst

separation,

If this

“effective

transpc}rt

cell

Also

Arthur

cathode be 100

will

cell,

then

be exthe lst.

a single

)

Possibly

preparation

used

in these

over

some

suggested

at 267°C.

at 97° C for

of the sodium

better

(succinonitrile),

and boils

the

Murray

by distillation

amalgam

column

of anhy experiments

organic of the

solvent

Eastman

could

as an alternate NC-

be type

CH2-CH2-CN.

However several

chem-

when

days

tested

a reaction

resultecL

in Aqueous gas

at the

mercury

) lithium

(That

by Dr.

cyanide

tar

pure isotope

in isotope

of the literature

ethylene

system,

a given

separation.

difficulty.

H-4

hydrate.

this

99 ~~ is

5 Cl cells.

prepared

at 54. 5°C.

with

for

is troublesome.

of group

about

at the lst.

isotope

than

that

almost

(dropwise

effective

we suspect

II determines

100th plate

transport

due to a

down

efficiency

This

contact

be moved the drops

for

been

for

efficiency

at the

electrical

not have

found.

This

With

condition

is to be about

Kodak

must

inefficient

though

have

the mechanical

the

tremely

-2

cathode

10Ss must

efficiency”

at theoretical

is to be the

istry

“effective

in figure

drous

cathode

as amalgam

shown

amalgam

electrolyte,

of O. 017 amp. The

was

in the

“effective

density

may

of the

evolution

Systems

with

in aqueous

Anode Depolarizers. systems

with

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

lithium

The

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

amalgam

naturally

electrolysis open

apparatus;

surface

of a linear

lying

electrolysis

cell

there.

ment.

There

They

are

electric volts

though

power Nso

very

oxide

of the

described.

with

action

other

the amalgam

such

successive

a cathode

= Lit

concentration

when the lithium

has

are is

from

low + edoes

in an amalgam

of about

anode

must

also

anode

than

are

required,

occur

by the

series

of rmerreaction

to zero. other

opera-

already

essential is,

at the anodes

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

al-

anode.

it is

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

lumps

that

exhausted

be connected

column ~.

permit

compart-

wasteful

the

efficiency;

not go quickly

Possibly

of solid

as in the non-aqueous efficiency

electrolyte;

arrangements.

might

that would

steel

physical

presumably

diffused

a design

a correspondingly than Li

cathodes,

up.

voltage

assemblies

would

stainless

such

the

In each

same

stage

low

to cell,

intcl the

is the formation

which

stages

in each

entire

amalgam

to find

use

be speeded

with

at very

serious

peroxide

t ried

With for

currents

could

consisted

and oxygen

and in a sense

emf

from

cells.

cell

direction.

into the

clisadvantages of space,

large

in stagnant

We have

provide

several

Perhaps

would

be combined

vented

from

and extending

evolution

could

slowly

be used

cells

amalgam

a multiple

and decomposition

flow

would

for

in our thinking

in the opposite

in that the back

possibly

of mercury

tion

the

not economical

series. cury

are

would

anode

way the hydrogen

the se two functions

scheme

decomposition

touching

geometry

can be easily

electrolysis

slowly

an inert The

or grids

in this

flow

gas

An early

cell.

on the bottcjm

would

horizontal

way

of alternate

electrolyte

pins

some

in this

in each array

Amalgam

evolved

suggests

some

to re-

so that

Of tour se reactions

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

occur: (a)

2Hg

= Hg~+

(b)

2Hg

+ 2 OH-

(c)

Hg + 41-

bute

they

are

= HgI~-”

to maintainance the mercury

tested

some

that would usually

t.er-butyl phosphorous

except

that they

acid,

acid. would

guanidine,

amino guanidine, succinonitride.

but at the

same

The substance gas

time

for

at the

pyruvic

acid,

same Hg

depolarizer

(SCA)

even

a suitable

these

true

acetylacetone,

h.ypophosphorous

solution

low

compounds current

carbamate,

dic yandiamide, protected

amalgam

hydroxylamine, that worked

at very

isoamyl

compounds

methYl

of the following

dic yandiamidine,

did

glyoxal,

triethanolamine,

O formation

lithium

cathode,

agents

were

benzaldehyde,

(b) con-

depolarizer

at the

reducing

anode;

contri-

We have

anode

of lithium

diethanolamine,

in dilute

at the anode,

was

cannot :Reaction

a-methylhydroxylamine,

prevented

hydrazine,

they

cathode

precipitate.

of these

of ‘Hg20

Some

anode

evolution

an unwanted

Most

prevent

ethanolamine,

to the

concentration.

in a search

The

densities:

formaldehyde,

amalgam

state

dimet~ylformamide,

alcohol,

diamine,

(a) and (c) move

in a steady

solution.

p-aminophenol,

alcohol,

( in alkali)

with the deposition

the formation formic

+ 2e’-

( in iodide)

and produces

not interfere

acid,

glycine,

acid,

of the

in O. 5 F LiOH

oxalic

+ 2e-

so that

30 compounds

not prevent

+ H20

of reactions

reduced,

sumes

( in acid)

= Hg20

the products

However, where

+ 2e-

the

formation

urea, ethylene

anode

mercury

at the

cathode:

formamide. well

was

semicarbazide.

in O. 5 F LiOH

and accumulation

of Hg20

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

was was

oxidized prevented.

This with

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

To identify

the net reaction

valent

measured;

lent

was

per

nearly

mole

it was

of SCA

was

per

mole

of anode

O. 25 mole

found

in this

4 equivalents;

one mole

the volume

of SCA.

All

against

the

this

per

The

of gas.

by titration

reaction

gas

equi-

reduction

Hg20

evolved

evidence

electric

equiva-

to be very

is very

is consistent

nearly

with

this

“

half-reaction: H2N-CO-NH-NHZ+6 Even

at 4 equivalents

unless

it could

be considered. cause

reacts ammonia

dized for

lithium

other

sulfite

amalgam

item

ion.

first

could

system

of electrolysis = Lit

for

+ 4e-

this

times

purpose; cheaper

O. 03 g. 1) it could have

not

to be removed

OH at high

ammonium

be-

concentrations

amalgam

and then

metal

that

solution) S02

without

+ e-

cells

was

which

sulfur

was

sufficiently

however

Anode

dioxide

(pre -

at the anode cheap

that

the build-up

Depolarizers.

by chemical in which

can be as

reagents.

worked

oxi cost

of sulfate

difficultiess.

depolarization

of special

lithium

present

Electrolysis

in anode

ac ion Li $

depolarizer

not be :prohibitive;

culties

suitable

(

would

and NH

to make

Commercial

would

Aqueous

since

soluble

+ 3HZ0

one hundred

price

the byproducts

slightly

anode

ion concentration

addition

retail

+ Nz

expensive

at least

Ccjmpany

ion in the alkaline

to sulfate

this

is very

in quantity

Kodak

is only

SCA

NH40H

and hydrogen.

The as

mole

Moreover

CO 23

with

per

be made

than the Eastman

sent

CIH- = C03--+

small

anode as

One idea

amalgam

wets

metals

might

be covered

with

means

which

better

than

lithium

for

smaller

was

diffi-

led us to devise

efficiencies

i’()~.

The

—

tried

pure

the

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

the

this:

mercury,

amalgam

re-

without was

and serve

a as anode;

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when

the lithium

pose

the inert

We tried Any (all

were

amalgam

based

(about

insulating

solution.

We built

Each

The spaces A stainless

and another analog

was

(emf=35v)

a suspended electrolyte. ing before by suitable ratus

was

the

steel

state

powder

Unfortunately it was choices rebuilt

It is possible

this

that this

a series

was

green

and speed scheme

oxide,

with

end was

Thus

However,

not be avoided

Before was

â&#x20AC;&#x153;pools!!

in the

by overheat-

could

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lithium

formed

destroyed

we had of 4 arrLp.

became

was

pool

made

a current

of rotation.

of mercury

disks

O. 5F LiOH

O. 17 F.

powder

described

appa-

on a horizontal,

pools

about

the

renew

intc~ a separate

When

was

from

copper

cathc)de.

in the five

apparatus

apart

at one

was

would

fillecl

made

copper

evolved

rotating

dipped

in figure

, mostly

of current

to make

five

were

as an

electrolysis

1 inch

end was

concentration

established

the better

were

liquid

on copper

was

a five-cell

about

the mercury

of water

to oxygen

amalgam

(stationary)

column

current.

and graphite.

some

water

lithium

the disks

disk

for

oxygen

as it revolved

between

of the

steady

green

spaced

at the opposite

a horizontal

amalgam;

There

disk

success

that with

silver,

that mercury

and tried

principle.

in diamete:r)

shaft.

passed,

contact

by the

in the presence

to oxidize

an anode,

off and ex-

wet by mercury.

without

by accident

and that

on this

of mercury.

also

inert

fall

be liberated

amalgam

were

sufficiently

would

tantalum,

wet by lithium

oxidized

3 inches

copper,

amalgam)

surface.

mercury would

in the literature

surf ace,

the bright

anode

oxygen

But we did discover

passive

ratus

were

that was

S1 ightly

the

palladium,

that

sought

exhausted where

wet by dry

only

metal

platinum,

of these

anode.

was

the apPa-

devised. which

serve

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with

one

side

connection roughly

cathode

from

30%

not leave

each

“pool”

the anode

cells

mercury electrolyte more

be made This

cell

llPool!I able

cannot

resistor

“leakage

this

which

avoids

the

disks

are

rotating

now replaced

screens

amalgamated

For

purpose

O. 016 inch

80 mesh but with edge was

shows

with

the lithi~

remained 100 mesh

51 drill

per

inch)

amalgam closed. copper

The screen

except

one

of electric

area

could

conditions.

negative

)

mercury

to give

about

same

the

power.

a suit-

current

the others. of the amalgam

of the

copper

fills

holes

would

on 1/8

retain

pores

Copper

centers

barrier

chosen

for

divided

by horizontal

further plastic

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plates

screen

of mercury,

1 cm

screens.

did not work

Copper

full

about

with the of the

close.

inch

within

These

“barriers”

the holes.

its

surfaces

model.

all the pores

be very

not fill

the pores

earlier

screen

must

would

only

in the

of the train

most

each

immersed

through

disks

mesh

amalg,am

(80 wires lithium

No.

The

a simplification

screen

cell

from

connected

terminal

by simple

drops

simply

so that mercury

the

thick

so is

copper

area

in each

connection

and electrode 2.

does would

of the next

negative

current

Itpooltl as from

current

and economical

in Figure

to the cathode

2 also

because

satisfactory

be so connected,

Figure

this

is both

proper

side

amalgam

an electrical

so that

and IR voltage

surfaces

is shown

II from

cathode,

and cathode

under

arrangement

of lithium

anode

to an even

network

of the

of suitable

connection to work

the operation

actually

an electrical

the cathode

electrode

between

(Of course

that

with

dividing

concentration

to an inert

negative

as anode,

entering

of the anode,

shown

“pool”

Then

state

II OO1l!O An analysis P series

current

side.

a steady

side

to a current

of the positive

to maintain

the

and one

of the bottom

experiments bars

(molded

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Figure Aqueous

electrolysis

amalgam

barrier

Electrolyte anode,

cathode off give

electrodes

is allowed

and enough

to maintain end,

Li6

to spill

fresh

water

yield

with

5 stages

and shield

is added near

is added

electrolyte

Li6.

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the

input”

At the

solution

concentration

of enriched

near

at “Li OH

normal.

and LiOH

and with

electrodes.

out the overflow

LiOH

concentration

so as to keep suitable

apparatus

drawn

constant

and

STAINLESS ANODE /

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d 1= 23 Zo ILL

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on by heat

and pressure)

The

“shield”

sheet.

The

spaced

3/8

deep

into

electrodes

electrodes inch

by 4 1/2

strips

only

are

made

of both types

apart

inches

in a plastic long.

3/8

A water

high.

of perforated

are

box

inch

2 inches

cooling

stainless

square

wide

jacket

steel

and are

by 2 5/8

inches

is provided

on the

outside. This

apparatus

pores

becomes

were

1. 0 amp.

The

bright

amalgam

(12. Ovolts),

through

An estimate of the

to a typical the total under

current,

conditions

It might cell

make

an hour. the

cells

Estimate be scaled plications. form

connected

a heavy

shield

operate

very

well

Better

cooling steel

as to serve

also

screen

which (17 volts).

easily

and

without

scum

are

any

added, simple

90’72;

side for

provided

of more and

of trouble. just

described i~ny

jacket

might

One

at least

easily

signs

outer

with

electrodes.

without

which

this

on the anode

the apparatus

shield

flowing

clear

electrodes without

as the

shield

remained

tubes,

current

made.

stages

of the

, and comparing

green

than the

internal

the

of 75 ~o was

l?robably

and more

and thus

efficiency

there

the

of Costs.

tried,

circulates

cathode

operate

However

up easily,

of stainless

Thus

electrolyte

in the

and 5. 0 amp.

by measuring

an estimate

developed

but the

which

i = O. 1 amp.

I;O

currents

(15 volts),

efficiency,

made

amp.

be possible

so operated

the barrier, than

I = 1.0

originally

pores.

cathode

electrode,

at the

liquid

barrier

was

mercury

amalgam

3. 0 amp.

the

cells,

The

mobile

of the

shield

other

well.

lithium

is a lively,

spontaneously

efficiency

works

pecial

could

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com-

be in the

be so placed

electrodes.

can

If the factor

and per

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stage

is 1.05

(Because

(estimated

of the

cells

would

many

cells

were

20 inches

more)

changing

further

would

a length

mean

be transported

from

x O. 866

12 feet.

would

some )

If the cross

section

be about

300

This

amp.

( or

The

lithium

450v.

rate

x 105 x 7 .1900

be used.

than others.

of about

at the

might

electrolyte

in the

a current

the voltage

150 cells

equilibrium

(electrolytically) 300

about

of about

then

by 20 inches,

be passed;

then

concentration

Li6

be operated

could

would

as before)

grams

per

day.

96,,500 Taking

account

by about Li6

20~0

gram

for cost,

of Li6

than for

trend

costs

can hardly

The

development

less

for

a unit

be guessed cost

method

30 grams

itself

per

O. 005

per

The kwh,

are

not

of this

size

might

not exceed

such

a unit.

cost

of power

cost.

some

engineering

is quite

uncertain

other

investigation.

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only

Cost the power

several

units.

amortization

development.

, but might

most

power

O. 70.

exceed

Plant

The

to estimate.

unit or for

power

than fcr

c~f production

slightly

a larger

stripping

is roughly

so easy

without

of separation

rate

day for

power

for

and a ssuming

the

x 105 watts.

downward

should

of Li6

we estimate

= 1.75

produced,

for

but would

this

x 1.3

other

supervision

Maintainance costs

as roughly

300 x 450

Costs

7.3 ~Z abundance

of the transport

(95Y0 pure)

is about per

of the

easily

methods

be under

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UNCMSSIFIED

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