Quote: Originally posted by Fusionfire ![](images/xpblue/lastpost.gif) | As centrifuges can separate isotopes, it occurred to me that high yield strength (so high RPM) corrosion-resistant centrifuges (ceramic, stainless
steel or titanium) should make short work of "difficult" processes such as separating azeotropic mixtures, e.g. 68% HNO<sub>3</sub> or
methanol - ethanol and concentrating e.g. 30% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. | The
molecules containing the isotopes are all of the same chemical species and are free to move with respect to each other. With azeotropic mixtures, you
have intermolecular forces that would have to be overcome. These forces are relatively large in comparison. The difference in centrifuge forces
between isotope-varied molecules has to overcome diffusion velocities from collisions in the molecules. To use a centrifuge for azeotrope separation
you'd have to overcome both diffusion and the intermolecular forces. Although there would likely be some measurable effect, separation yields would
appear to be lower than for isotope separation, and that's only a fraction of a percent per pass.
This technique might be a way to measure some physical constants about solvation; that seems perfectly feasible and indeed interesting. But it's
unlikely to yield a practical separation method. |