METHOD OF TWO-STAGE LASER PRODUCTION OF HIGHLY-ENRICHED ISOTOPE C-13 Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: production of isotopes C-13. SUBSTANCE: mixture of CF₂HCl with buffer gas (nitrogen) is fed to laser reactor 1 located inside pulse CO₂ laser 2. Molecules of CF₂HCl are exposed to radiation in laser reactor 1 at first stage for obtaining C₂F₄. Bromine vapor is added to mixture at outlet of laser reactor 1 and mixture is directed to photo-chemical reactor 3 where it is exposed to radiation of filament lamps. C₂F₂Br₂ thus obtained and excess of bromine are entrapped in adsorber 4 are directed to bromination reactor 5 where CF₂Br₂, enriched with isotope C-213 is obtained. After passing adsorber 4, gases are directed to cryogenic condenser 7 where nitrogen is separated and are again directed to reactor 1 by means of gas blower 8. Liquid mixture of C-13-dificient freon and HCl from cryogenic condenser are fed to evaporator 9 and are passed through adsorber 10 and dehydrator 11. Then, dehydrated freon is liquefied by means of compressor 12 and is accumulated in receiver 13. Isotope C-13-rich CF₂Br₂, obtained at first stage is separated in rectifying column 6 and is fed to second stage to laser reactor 1 having added oxygen. Highly-enriched COF₂ at content of C-13 exceeding 99% obtained in laser reactor 1 may be used for synthesis of isotopically modified compound of carbon or may be hydrolyzed to CO₂. Residual CF₂Br₂ and Br₂ are entrapped in adsorber 4. COF₂ may be successively passed through condenser 7 and adsorber 10 for obtaining Na132

CO₃, from which carbon dioxide may be obtained by action of acid. EFFECT: avoidance of losses of laser radiation; increased productivity at high enrichments. 1 dwg, 1 ex