Photochemical isotope separation

Patent · Tue Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6365148

Robinson, C P; Jensen, R J; Cotter, T P; Greiner, N R; Boyer, K

This patent describes a process for separating isotopes. The steps are: irradiating a gaseous compound having molecules each of which contains at least one nuclide of a first isotopic species to be separated and further having different excitation energy levels depending on which isotopic species is present with radiation having a first wavelength which substantially excites molecules of the compound containing the first isotopic species; and subjecting the exited molecules to physical or chemical processes other than photodeflection, or a combination thereof, whereby the first isotopic species contained in the excited molecules is separated from the isotopic species contained in the unexcited molecules. The improvement comprises first, mixing of the gaseous compound with a carrier gas having a low condensation temperature, and a ratio of specific heats in which ..gamma.. is greater than that for the gaseous compound; second, adiabatically expanding the gaseous mixture whereby the gaseous compound is vibrationally cooled and sufficient spectrum simplification has occurred that the radiation preferentially excites molecules of the compound containing the first isotopic species; and third, subjecting the excited molecules to separative processes before substantial condensation occurs.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4661221
• Application Number: TRN: 87-023644
• OSTI ID: 6365148
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 23 Dec 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
COOLING
EXCITATION
EXCITED STATES
GASES
IRRADIATION
MIXING
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
SPECIFIC HEAT
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMAL EXPANSION
VAPOR CONDENSATION
VIBRATIONAL STATES
WAVELENGTHS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXPANSION
FLUIDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
400703* - Radiochemistry & Nuclear Chemistry- Radioisotope Production
400500 - Photochemistry