Operational Models of the Cryogenic Distillation Column for (13C) Isotope

The cryogenic distillation applied to the isotope separation of ( ¹³C) is a special application, with particular features in both technologies: distillation and isotope separation. Unlike the air or natural gas cryogenic distillation, the inflow of the material with natural abundance in heavy isotope has a minor influence on the concentration evolution; there are many other significant factors. Generally, the "time constants" of the cryogenic distillation plant for isotope separation (enrichment) are longer than the "time constants" of other technological processes. The evolution of the isotope enrichment in time and space may be known only using mathematical models. Practically, no samples in various points of the distillation plant are possible. With these aspects in mind, the necessity of mathematical models is justified