III. ISOTOPE SEPARATION

A. ELECTROMAGNETIC PROCESS (Y-12)

1. Physics

a. Experimental and theoretical work on general phenomena of discharges in magnetic fields. (46-1)

b. Experimental and theoretical work on ion optics omitting references to classified installations. (46-1)

(1) Experimental and theoretical work on ion optics excepting novel features developed for plant operations and omitting references to classified installations. (50-3)

c. Experimental data on ionization cross section etc. (46-1)

d. Experimental data on high voltage breakdown in vacuum, insulator characteristics in vacuum, etc. (46-1)

(1) Experimental data on high voltage breakdown in vacuum. (50-3)

e. Electrical controls and circuits of all kinds omitting reference to classified installations. (46-1)

f. Experimental and theoretical physics of the electromagnetic separation plant provided they do not reveal production details or processes. (47-1)

g. Electrical insulators of high-voltage, high-temperature type, without disclosure of design details actually used and without reference to classified installations. (50-3)

h. Experimental and theoretical physics and chemistry, engineering designs and operating performance of single electromagnetic process units without identification as components of the Electromagnetic Production Plant. (52-3)

Note: The AEC staff paper explained that this permitted the declassification of the following:

(1) Experimental and theoretical work on general phenomena of discharges in magnetic fields, experimental and theoretical workin ion optics, data on high-voltage breakdown in vacuum, characteristics of electrical insulators of the high-voltage, high-temperature type, research on filament and insulator failure, and theory and design of magnetic shims. (52-3)

(2) Full design data on basic components of a single calutron, ion source, filament, power supply and heater system, but without revealing the exact system for drain control. (52-3)

(3) Design data on single magnetic coils including shims. (52-3)

(4) Full operating data on a single calutron unit (Alpha or Beta) but without identification as a component of the Electromagnetic Production Plant. Data may include ion current, enrichment, collector efficiency, and performance of magnetic shims. (52-3)

(5) Feed material chemical composition and recycle chemistry processes. (52-3)

2. General theory and experimental work for other methods of isotopic separation for elements of atomic number below 90, but see Table A. (Care should be exercised that the information released for non-classified isotopes does not substantially aid work on classified isotopes.) (Table A is located in Appendix A) (48-1)

3. Information about the "isotron" isotope separator experiments and theory. The "isotron" is an electromagnetic separation device. (52-1)

4. The calutron drain control system (at Y-12 Plant). (53-8)

5. The design of large magnet arrays (at Y-12 Plant). (53-8)

6. The theory, engineering design, capacity, and performance of electromagnetic plants including high intensity ion sources. (56-6)

B.DIFFUSION PROCESSES

1. Physics

a. Basic theoretical work on reflux separation processes, without reference to diffusion cascades. (46-1)

(1) Basic theoretical work on reflux separation processes without specific reference to diffusion cascades. (50-4)

b. General theory of thermal diffusion in gases without application to classified installations. (46-1)

(1) Information concerning the theory of the thermal diffusion method of isotope separation. (55-2)

c. Basic theoretical work on cascade design, kinetic chemistry, and thermal diffusion not revealing production methods in the diffusion plant. (47-1)

d. General theory of thermal diffusion in gases without reference to UF₆ or the application to classified installations. (50-3)

2. Chemistry

a. Theoretical work on chemical kinetics such as was developed in connection with corrosion problems, but without reference to the conditioning of barriers. (46-1)

(1) Theoretical work on chemical kinetics without reference to fluoride corrosion problems or conditioning of plant equipment. (50-3)

b. Fluorocarbon chemistry and manufacture, but without reference to application in plants for the production of classified substances. (46-1)

(1) Fluorocarbon chemistry and manufacture but without reference to UF₆ or to application or requirements in plants for the production of fissionable material. (50-3)

c. Fluorine chemistry, including industrial preparation, (but without reference to application in plants for the production of classified substances), except for the methods of preventing barrier plugging and corrosion . (46-1) (50-4)

d. Fluorine and fluorocarbon chemistry and technology. (47-1)

e. Design and construction of a fluorine cell plant and a fluorine packaging, storage, and compression plant. (50-3)

f. Analytical methods for materials used in the gaseous diffusion plant except insofar as they may reveal plant practice and production. (50-3)

g. Some information in the fields of fluoride surface chemistry and gas bearings. (53-6) (See also III.D.6.a.)

3. Industrial Aspects

a. The technique of plating inside of pipes so as to protect against corrosion. (46-2)

b. Vacuum pumps and compressors without reference to characteristics which may be unique to the diffusion plant. (46-2)

c. Bellows-sealed reciprocating pumps. (46-2)

d. Special high speed rotary pumps. (46-2)

e. Special precautions in handling process gas. (46-2)

f. The fact of cooling the enriched stream (A-line cooling) in diffusion plants. (76-2)

g. The fact that diffusion process pressures may exceed atmospheric pressure. (76-2)

h. The fact of use of fluorine and chlorine trifluoride in the cascade areas. (No elaboration.) (76-2)

C. CENTRIFUGE

1. General theory of centrifuge. (46-1)

a. Theory of centrifuge, except that experimental work on, and detailed mechanical design for, the centrifuge method of isotope separation for elements 90 and above must remain classified. (48-1)

2. The total annual construction and operating dollars in the gas centrifuge program commencing with FY-1971. (71-4)

3. The fact that the Equipment Test Facility and the Component Preparation Laboratories are associated with the U.S. gas centrifuge program. (71-4)

4. The fact that the U.S. does not have and has not had a gas centrifuge pilot plant. (71-4)

5. The fact that the Component Test Facility is a gas centrifuge pilot plant. (72-2)

6. The financial breakdowns of construction projects in the gas centrifuge. (72-2)

7. The AEC total annual funding for capital equipment not related to construction for the gas centrifuge program for uranium enrichment. (72-2)

8. The total annual operating and capital equipment funding for each minor contractor (the University of Virginia, Yale, and Electro-Nucleonics, Inc.) active in gas centrifuge work on uranium enrichment. (72-2)

9. The following information concerning the gas centrifuge program.

a. Pilot plant construction and operating costs. (73-5)

b. Full-scale production plant separative capacity, separative work costs, and costs for construction and operation. (73-5)

10. Information concerning the gas centrifuge program. (74-2)

a. Rotor diameter studied through the pilot plant stage.

b. Fact that upper suspension contained a magnet.

c. Fact of interest in bearings other than pivots.

d. Fact of interest in composite materials for rotor construction.

e. Fact of rotor and end cap balancing.

f. Fact of use of aluminum alloy.

g. Fact of supercritical operation.

h. Procurement quantities which may imply the number of machines in a pilot plant.

11. Total power level required for a centrifuge enrichment facility. (76-5)

12. Information concerning the gas centrifuge program. (78-3)

a. The number of centrifuge machines in a plant of specified capacity.

b. The approximate length of a production-class centrifuge.

c. The electrical power usage within a centrifuge plant.

d. The cascade service module.

13. Information concerning the gas centrifuge Component Test Facility (CTF).

a. The design separative capacity (50,000 SWU) of the Component Test Facility at Oak Ridge. (77-2)

b. The total number of machines in the CTF. (83-7)

c. The total number of SWU's (Separative Work Units) produced in the facility during operation. (83-7)

d. The unit cost of a Machine. (83-7)

e. Cost/SWU. (83-7)

f. The nominal separation capacity of a machine. (83-7)

g. The length of the casings in CTF. (83-7)

14. Information concerning the gas centrifuge program. (85-5)

a. The chemical identities and on-hand quantities of epoxy resins and hardeners used in the centrifuge program.

b. The machine floor mount.

c. The electronic lower suspension concept, including rotor levitation controls, to the extent now developed for this gas centrifuge application.

D. GASEOUS DIFFUSION

1. Techniques of particle size and surface area measurements without reference to barrier construction. This information should be of a scientific character and should not include data from which information could be inferred as to the size of the particles used in barrier construction. (46-1)

2. Specifications, performance data, and useful design features of compressors, filters, pumps, blowers, motors, valves, diffusers, heat exchangers, piping, flow meters or other process equipment when their release can be made without reference to characteristics which may be unique to a diffusion plant and without disclosing the contribution of the equipment concerned to the productivity or capacity of a plant. (52-4)

3. Arrangement of stages in series ("badger arrangement" and modifications thereto). (53-2)

4. Arrangement of cells in series within each building. (53-2)

5. Total number of stages and cells. (53-2)

6. Information concerning gas bearings.

a. Some information in the fields of fluoride surface chemistry and gas bearings. (53-6) (See also III.B.2.g.)

b. Certain information concerning the theory of gas bearings for compressible gases for both journal and thrust bearings, as well as some experimental work on journal and thrust bearings. (55-2)

c. The theory, design, manufacture and operation of all types of gas bearings, subject to the restriction, however, that no release will be made on: (56-6)

(1) Features of gas bearing technology specially relating to the diffusion plant, and

(2) Specifications and performance data of complete gas bearing compressor units for use in a gaseous diffusion plant.

7. A charge for separative work of $30 per kilogram of uranium. (62-5)

8. That independent work [Note3] (and all data resulting therefrom) on the development of porous materials not developed for but suitable for use as gaseous diffusion barrier may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security. (66-1)

9. Production rates of uranium enriched in the isotope U-235 subsequent to January 1, 1967. (66-4)

10. Gaseous diffusion plant separative capacity subsequent to January1, 1967 or any portion thereof. (66-4)

11. Information on separative work production, capacity, and associated costs of the existing and projected future gaseous diffusion plants, or portions thereof, applicable to periods subsequent to January 1, 1967, provided classified technology is not revealed; and information on gaseous diffusion plant material flows and assays. (67-2)

12. The barrier tube length for gaseous diffusion plants. (69-3)

13. The compressor cost figures as a percentage of total capital costs for a conceptual gaseous diffusion plant using U.S. technology: (72-5)

Estimated Capital Cost Breakdown of Process Stage Components for an 8.75 Million SWU/Yr New Gaseous Diffusion Plant Using 1970 Technology
Stage Size		Small	Medium	Large
Shaft Power, HP		1250	2200	4050
Number of Stages		340	290	550
Separative Work Distribution (%)		9	20	71
Capital Cost Distribution (%)		20	23	57
Stage Equipment Costs (%)
	Gas Diffuser	6.1	8.0	10.2
	Gas Compressor	10.6	12.0	13.4
	Compressor Drive Motor	5.5	7.0	8.5
	Electrical System	13.8	13.5	12.7
	Heat Removal System	3.4	4.2	4.8
	Process Building and Enclosures Process	5.9	6.8	7.7
	Piping and Valves	10.2	8.6	6.9
	Instrumentation	3.3	2.5	1.8
	Miscellaneous Systems	3.9	3.1	2.4
	Plant Start-Up and Support	1.3	1.0	0.7
	Process Support Facilities	11.6	8.9	6.5
	Engineering	3.4	3.4	3.4
	Contingency	11.8	11.8	11.8
	Interest During Construction	9.2	9.2	9.2
		100.0	100.0	100.0

14. The rates of production of uranium enriched in the isotope U-235 and the separative capacity of gaseous diffusion plants prior to January 1, 1967. (73-8)

15. Information concerning the gaseous diffusion program. (85-3)

a. All cascade uranium hexafluoride pressures.

b. All cascade barrier and uranium hexafluoride temperatures of 240 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and all those below 240 degrees Fahrenheit if the barrier forepressures are 10 psia or lower.

c. Cascade and stage gas-phase inventory values.

d. Cascade stage separation factors, interstage flows, and power levels.

e. Cascade side and top purge rates, and vent rates, total.

f. Compressor blade angles and tip clearances.

g. Fact of use of vented cavity seals.

Note: All declassifications related to the cascades apply to information generated since October 1, 1980. Corresponding information before this date remain Confidential to protect certain enriched uranium stockpile quantities and other classified information.

16. The fact that U.S. gaseous diffusion plant compressor shaft seals operate on the gas bearing principle. The detailed seal design will remain classified. (92-5)

17. Gas compressor nozzle internal guide vanes and their specifications. (92-5)

E. LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION (LIS)

1. Information concerning the LIS program: (74-1)

a. The fact of AEC interest in the separation of uranium isotopes by laser methods is unclassified.

b. General descriptions of excitation methods based on scientific data published in the literature as of July 1, 1973 are unclassified.

c. Papers dealing with fundamental science, including spectroscopy of uranium and its compounds, where there is no recognizable association with or application to successful isotope separation, are unclassified.

d. Laser schemes for uranium isotope separation, where the processes do not show a reasonable potential for the separation of practical quantities of special nuclear material, are unclassified.

e. Total AEC dollars budgeted for research and development in uranium isotope separation using lasers, broken down by installations, and showing separate identification of operational, equipment or construction costs, is unclassified.

2. The fact that ERDA has an interest in the separation of plutonium isotopes by laser methods. (75-1) (See also II.M.25.)

3. Information concerning molecular laser isotope separation. (75-3)

a. Fact of interest in UF₆ as a candidate for laser isotope separation.

b. Laser frequencies of interest to three significant figures.

c. Use of any form of cooling for high-resolution spectroscopy.

4. Information concerning laser isotope separation research at LASL. (76-1)

a. Fact of use of UF₆ . (See also II.K.4.a.)

b. Fact of adiabatic expansion cooling by means of a nozzle.

c. Fact of two-step laser irradiation of the cooled gas in the ultraviolet and infrared regions.

d. Fact of disassociation of UF₆ to UF₅ as a result of irradiation. (See also II.K.4.b.)

5. Information concerning the AVLIS process: (90-2)

a. The fact that iron or other specific commonly used element is alloyed with uranium to lower the melting point of the uranium and concentrations of the alloying element at the enrichment facility boundary, provided feed or product concentrations or other classified information is not revealed.

b. Dye laser system characteristics for Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation and Laser Demonstration Facility that do not provide significant information about process performance or separator design. Specifically:

(1) For the dye laser modulator:

(a) The fact that the dye laser beam is phase modulated,

(b) The position of the modulator in dye laser chain,

(c) The association of a specific commercially available design with AVLIS.

(2) The AVLIS dye oscillator design.

(3) The following dye laser performance parameters:

(a) Conversion (copper laser to dye laser) efficiency,

(b) Dye chain power output for AVLIS facilities,

(c) Amplifier power gain,

(d) Dye temperature and dye flow rates,

(e) Dye chain pulse repetition frequency (PRF).

F. MISCELLANEOUS ISOTOPE SEPARATION INFORMATION

1. Non-critical details for constructing production and pilot plants if they are similar to ordinary plant construction. (53-6)

2. All information relating to the thermal diffusion method of separating uranium isotopes. (56-6)

3. Research and development work on any method of isotope separation (other than gaseous diffusion and gas centrifuge) (unless declassified by the Commission) would be unclassified as long as the Commission is satisfied that the method does not have a reasonable potential for the separation of practical quantities of special nuclear materials. After a method has advanced to the point of having such potential, all additional work would be classified Secret Restricted Data until specifically declassified by the Commission. (67-3)

4. Research on novel methods of isotope separation -- i.e., it is unclassified until it has a "reasonable potential for the separation of practical quantities of special nuclear-material." (See III.F.4. above) This policy does not apply to information and methods previously declassified by Commission action, e.g. electromagnetic and liquid thermal diffusion. (72-7)

5. General description of the processes used or investigated for the separation of lithium isotopes. (73-8) (See also II.Q.14.)

6. Information concerning the Plutonium Special Isotope Separation (SIS).

a. The possibility or fact that the plutonium AVLIS process will access one or more metastable levels in the excitation and ionization of plutonium atoms and that the wavelength range of interest for plutonium AVLIS is 560 to 800 nm. (88-1)

b. The fact that the capability to use staging in the AVLIS process exists and is being implemented for the separation of plutonium. (88-1)

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