Theory and applicatin of the Gilfillan-Polanyi micropyknometer technique

Abstract

An investigation of the theory and application of the Gilfillan-Polanyi micropyknometer technique (Gilfillan and Polanyi 1933), used for the estimation of the heavy forms of water, has been carried out. An improved technique was developed and the accuracy of the isotopic analysis of water by this method is now comparable with that obtained by routine mass-spectrometric analysis. The time required for one measurement is 50-60 min. The pyknometers may be calibrated by using nitrogen to change the density of the water in which the pyknometers float.