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BERYLLIUM
Natural Abundance, Stable Isobars Be9, 100%, None Although beryllium has no stable isotopes, an electromagnetic separation to enhance the concentration of Be10 was made on material which had been irradiated in a reactor. In this separation Be10 (half-life of 2.5 x 106 years) was enriched from an initial concentration of 4.5 x 10-5 to 1.2 x l0-3 %. The charge consisted of 150 g BeCl2 in a style S-16 stainless steel charge bottle. Two methods have been used to prepare anhydrous BeCl2. Metallic beryllium can be converted to the chloride by heating to 400° C in a stream of dry chlorine gas. The conversion is made in a 10-cm diameter Pyrex tube heated by an electric tube furnace. The tube is flame heated and flushed with chlorine to eliminate air and moisture prior to the introduction of beryllium. The second method consists of passing a 1: 1 mixture of chlorine and carbon monoxide over beryllium carbonate heated to 450° C in the tube reactor described above. The tube is flame heated to remove moisture prior to starting the reaction. In both methods the beryllium chloride forms in the heated zone, vaporizes, and is deposited in the cold end of the reactor tube. Upon completion of the reaction, the tube is allowed to cool under a flow of chlorine gas. When the tube is cool enough to handle, it is quickly transferred to a dry box where the BeCl2 is removed and stored in sealed containers. Beryllium chloride is very hygroscopic and every precaution must be taken to prevent its contact with moist air at any time. The health hazards associated with beryllium and its compounds are numerous and severe. It is recommended that a thorough examination and study of the hazards associated with this element and its compounds be made before attempting any activity involving their use. |
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