Other techniques Enriched uranium

1 other techniques

1.1 aerodynamic processes
1.2 electromagnetic isotope separation
1.3 chemical methods
1.4 plasma separation

other techniques
aerodynamic processes

schematic diagram of aerodynamic nozzle. many thousands of these small foils combined in enrichment unit.

aerodynamic enrichment processes include becker jet nozzle techniques developed e. w. becker , associates using liga process , vortex tube separation process. these aerodynamic separation processes depend upon diffusion driven pressure gradients, gas centrifuge. in general have disadvantage of requiring complex systems of cascading of individual separating elements minimize energy consumption. in effect, aerodynamic processes can considered non-rotating centrifuges. enhancement of centrifugal forces achieved dilution of uf6 hydrogen or helium carrier gas achieving higher flow velocity gas obtained using pure uranium hexafluoride. uranium enrichment corporation of south africa (ucor) developed , deployed continuous helikon vortex separation cascade high production rate low enrichment , substantially different semi-batch pelsakon low production rate high enrichment cascade both using particular vortex tube separator design, , both embodied in industrial plant. demonstration plant built in brazil nuclei, consortium led industrias nucleares brasil used separation nozzle process. methods have high energy consumption , substantial requirements removal of waste heat; none still in use.

electromagnetic isotope separation


schematic diagram of uranium isotope separation in calutron shows how strong magnetic field used redirect stream of uranium ions target, resulting in higher concentration of uranium-235 (represented here in dark blue) in inner fringes of stream.

in electromagnetic isotope separation process (emis), metallic uranium first vaporized, , ionized positively charged ions. cations accelerated , subsequently deflected magnetic fields onto respective collection targets. production-scale mass spectrometer named calutron developed during world war ii provided of u used little boy nuclear bomb, dropped on hiroshima in 1945. term calutron applies multistage device arranged in large oval around powerful electromagnet. electromagnetic isotope separation has been largely abandoned in favour of more effective methods.

chemical methods

one chemical process has been demonstrated pilot plant stage not used production. french chemex process exploited slight difference in 2 isotopes propensity change valency in oxidation/reduction, utilising immiscible aqueous , organic phases. ion-exchange process developed asahi chemical company in japan applies similar chemistry effects separation on proprietary resin ion-exchange column.

plasma separation

plasma separation process (psp) describes technique makes use of superconducting magnets , plasma physics. in process, principle of ion cyclotron resonance used selectively energize u isotope in plasma containing mix of ions. french developed own version of psp, called rci. funding rci drastically reduced in 1986, , program suspended around 1990, although rci still used stable isotope separation.