Summary
For the determination of small quantities of heavy water in water and vice versa it is possible to make successful use of the infra-red absorption spectrum of the sample to be examined. If, as in our case, the aim in view is limited, the application of a non-dispersive infra-red analyser is sometimes more advantageous than that of the more universally applicable spectral apparatus.
For the above determination it was found that for samples in the vapour phase a non-dispersive infra-red gas analyser could be used if it had first undergone various technical changes.
The use of liquid samples, however, offered important advantages in comparison with that of gaseous ones, both on account of differences in the absorption spectra and because of easier handling in practice.
In the end it was possible in samples with a natural deuterium content still to demonstrate concentration differences of 0.001% D2O, while in samples of highly concentrated heavy water (about 99.8% D2O) concentration differences of 0.001% H2O were still demonstrable. The minimum required quantity was 0.2 ml or, respectively, 0.3 ml. For a single determination a time of 12 minutes was needed in either case.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Luft, K. F., Z. f. techn. Phys.24 (1943) 97.
Kluyver, J. C. and J. M. W. Milatz, Physica19 (1953) 401.
Kluyver, J. C. and E. W. M. Blokhuis, Physica20 (1954) 427.
Kluyver, J. C., Recueil Trav. Chim. Pays Bas74 (1955) 322.
Bosselaar, C. A., Revue Universelle des Mines, Liège, 9e Série, T. 15, (1959) 436.
Bosselaar, C. A., Proc. 2nd U.N. Intern. Conf. on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Vol. 28, p. 629, United Nations, Geneva, 1958. (P/2250 Netherlands).
Bosselaar, C. A., Progress in Nuclear Energy, Series 9, Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 1, p. 225, Pergamon Press, London, 1959.
Kirschenbaum, I., Physical Properties and Analysis of Heavy Water, Mc. Graw-Hill, New York, 1951.
Stevens, W. H. and J. G. Bayly, Proc. 2nd U.N. Intern. Conf. on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Vol. 28, p. 622, United Nations, Geneva, 1958 (P./188 Canada).
Stevens, W. H. and J. G. Bayly, Progress in Nuclear Energy, Series 9, Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 1, p. 211, Pergamon Press, London, 1959.
Adams, R. M. and J. J. Katz, J. Opt. Soc. Amer.46 (1956) 895.
Pierson, R. H., A. N. Fletcher and E. St. Clair Gantz, Anal. Chem.28 (1956) 1218.
Gaunt, J., Spectrochim. Acta8 (1956) 57.
Trenner, N. R. and R. W. Walker, The Perkin-Elmer Instrument News4 (1952) 1.
Gaunt, J., A.E.R.E. C/R, p. 1264, Harwell, 1953.
Skjöldebrand, R., Appl. sci. Res.B5 (1955) 401.
Lecomte, J., M. Ceccaldi and E. Roth, J. Chim. Phys.50 (1953) 166.
Lecomte, J., M. Ceccaldi and E. Roth, J. Phys. Rad.15 (1954) 543.
Berton, A. and M. Ceccaldi, Chimie Analytique3 (1957) 102.
Bosselaar, C. A., Een Niet-Dispergerende Infraroodanalysator, Thesis, Utrecht, 1961.
Additional information
The investigations described in the present paper were performed while the author was associated with the Foundation for Fundamental Research of Matter, Utrecht, Netherlands. He is now in the employ of the N.V. Philips’ Gloeilampenfabrieken, Semiconductor Development Laboratory, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bosselaar, C.A. Non-dispersive infra-red analysis of mixtures of water and heavy water. Appl. Sci. Res. 10, 137–156 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02928070
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02928070