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Method and apparatus for isotope separation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6379337
;

This patent describes an apparatus for separating of a selected isotope from a uranium substance, comprising: an evacuated envelope defining an interaction volume extending along an interaction axis between first and second light transmissive window elements, and including a feed inlet for input of uranium substance at a point mid-way along the axis; disc aperture members formed from sputtering-resistant material disposed in equal spacing along the interior of the evacuated envelope and defining the interaction axis through the apertures thereby to reduce wall losses and increase efficiency; inert buffer gas contained in the interaction volume; a light source of wavelength to excite a selected isotope to a predetermined increased energy level. The light source being focused to direct a light beam through the first window element in alignment with the interaction volume axis to the second window element; reflector means for reflecting reverberation of the light beam between the first and second window elements; oven means maintaining the interaction volume at a controlled elevated temperature; magnet means providing a magnetic field that is concentrated in alignment along the interaction axis; electrical means for producing an electrical energy differential along the interaction axis to effect gas discharge collisions of the selected isotopes at increased energy levels thereby to produce ionized selected isotopes; and means for collecting the ionized selected isotopes.

Assignee:
Conoco Inc., Ponca City, OK
Patent Number(s):
US 4786478
OSTI ID:
6379337
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

050500 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Uranium Enrichment
07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
070100* -- Physical Isotope Separation
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
IONIZATION
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPE SEPARATION PLANTS
LIGHT SOURCES
MAGNETS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
METALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OPENINGS
RADIATION SOURCES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
URANIUM
WINDOWS