Thesis
Mathematical modeling of a pilot-scale distillation column for the removal of radon from xenon
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001720
Abstract
Many physics experiments such as dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay (0[nu][beta][beta]) searches require large volumes of ultrahigh purity xenon. 222Rn contamination can be a significant source of background due to the decay energy of its progeny 214Bi resembling that of 136Xe's 0[nu][beta][beta] energy. 222Rn is a difficult contaminant to eliminate in these experiments as it can emanate from piping and other online purification equipment, making an online purification technique desirable. Distillation is one proposed option for eliminating this contaminant by concentrating Rn and allowing it to decay in an area outside of the main detector volume. A pilot-scale packed column is under construction at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory which will be used to study cryogenic distillation for this application. In this work, a mathematical model describing this system is presented. The model analyzes both the column and the surrounding system to provide a means of predicting performance under various conditions. Predictions of the column performance indicate that the best separation occurs at low pressure and that the temperature of the vapor fed to the column has a negligible effect on performance. The effect of additional demanded separation on the number of stages was found to be easily predictable, which may assist in scale-up efforts. The model can also be applied as a means to analyze experimental data after the column has been operated.
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Details
- Title
- Mathematical modeling of a pilot-scale distillation column for the removal of radon from xenon
- Creators
- Sebastian Gabriel Brunhart
- Contributors
- Nicolas J. Alvarez (Advisor)Michelle Dolinski (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 56 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemical (and Biological) Engineering (1970-2026); College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021120114104721