Optimal zone lengths in multi-pass zone-refining processes

Abstract

A method for determining the optimum zone length for maximum separation in multi-pass zone-refining processes is described. Numerical values of the optimum zone lengths and their corresponding maximum separations for up to ten passes are presented. The optimum zone length is found to increase with the distribution coefficient but decreases when the pass number increases. Considerable improvement in separation may be obtained if zone refining is operated at the optimum zone length, except for higher distribution coefficients.