Systems and methods for highly efficient isotope enrichment by liquid solution centrifugation

A method of enriching for isotopes of two or more elements, comprising:

• dissolving a sample in one or more solvents to form a solution, the sample comprising at least one compound comprising a first target element and a second target element, wherein the first target element and the second target element are present in at least two or more isotopes;
• placing the solution in a vessel;
• applying a centrifugal force to the vessel;
• withdrawing heavier isotopes of the first and second target elements enriched in an outer portion of the vessel from the outer portion;
• and
• withdrawing lighter isotopes of the first and second target elements enriched in an inner portion of the vessel from the inner portion, wherein the inner portion is closer to the axis of rotation of the vessel than the outer portion.

A method of enriching for at least one isotope of an element, comprising:

• dissolving a sample including two or more isotopes of a target element in one or more solvents to form a solution;
• feeding the solution into a vessel substantially continuously, the vessel having an inner radial portion and an outer radial portion;
• applying a centrifugal force to the solution up to about 200 kRPM;
• inducing countercurrent circulation of the solution inside the vessel;
• withdrawing a first product stream including heavier isotopes of the target element by scooping, via a first scoop mechanism, solution from the outer radial portion of the vessel, the first product stream enriched for heavier isotopes of the target element;
• and
• withdrawing a second product stream including lighter isotopes by scooping, via a second scoop mechanism, solution from an inner radial portion of the vessel, the second product stream enriched for lighter isotopes of the target element.