Superheavy Isotope Enrichment Using a Carbon Isotope Enrichment Plant

A13C isotope distillation separation plant was used to search for naturally-occurring superheavy isotopes. Superheavy (X−) isotopes of carbon in CO would be only slightly less volatile than the normal 12C16O. Over 100,000 mol CO were passed through the distillation columns without product withdrawal during the experiment. Following cessation of flows, 201 gas samples were collected from the bottom of the high enrichment column. An argon impurity in the CO provided a “wedge” to enrich X− isotopes at the CO/Ar interface in the column. Carbon isotopic compositions were used to calculate which samples might contain the superheavy isotopes. Enrichments of X− isotope concentration of ∼105 were obtained in several 0.1 mol samples, which were analyzed for the existence of X− isotopes at another laboratory. A limited amount of extremely pure 13CO was produced as a side benefit.