Generalized concepts in large-scale laser isotope separation, with application to deuterium

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.327820· OSTI ID:5673591

Vanderleeden, J C

Optical laser isotope separation (LIS) and chemical process concepts are developed that arise in the large-scale application of LIS processes with continuous process streams. The discussion applies to one-photon, two-photon and multiphoton LIS and the separation of a multiple-component mixture. It is partly based on a novel reaction chamber which provides throughout its volume a constant energy fluence or power density. Concepts discussed are the isotopic depletion, isotopic and process selectivity, isotopic abundances, abundance quotients ..cap alpha..* and ..beta..*, the photon utilization factor, and the material balance equations in the LIS plant. An expression is derived that gives the total process cost per unit separated product in terms of the isotopic selectivity, the isotopic depletion, and the natural abundance of the desired species. A total-cost minimization is carried out which gives the optimum isotopic depletion of the process as a function of isotopic selectivity, photon cost parameters, and parameters characterizing the photochemical reaction and the feed costs. The expressions are applicable to ''closed cycle'' as well as ''once through'' feed processing. The results are used to estimate the cost per kg of heavy water as a function of laser efficiency and isotopic selectivity, for a formaldehyde-based deuterium separation method.

• Research Organization: Camrose Lutheran College, Physics Department, Camrose, Alberta, Canada T4V 2R3
• OSTI ID: 5673591
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 51:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
DEUTERIUM
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPE RATIO
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHOTONS
POWER DENSITY
QUANTITY RATIO
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STABLE ISOTOPES
070100* - Physical Isotope Separation