Photochemical isotope separation

Patent · Tue Apr 28 04:00:00 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
• OSTI ID: 6365148
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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