Method of isotope enrichment
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorPatrick H. O'Farrell
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for separation of isotopes is provided which utilizes a novel combination of electrophoresis, a flowing carrier fluid and a separation chamber with varying separation characteristics. By selecting the appropriate voltage, flow rate and separation characteristics, a given ion species is made to form an equilibrium zone within the separation chamber. In a preferred embodiment, .sup.235 U ions are continuously separated from .sup.238 U ions.
Claims18
A method for separating in a separation chamber having longitudinally varying separation characteristics at least one isotope from a mixture of isotopic species in which the isotopic species exist as ions and comprising the steps of:
- introducing said mixture into said chamber;
- imparting said species with a movement in a first direction by flowing a carrier fluid through said chamber;
- and
- applying an electric field across said chamber to electrophorese said species in a second direction counter to said first direction to segregate each of said species in an equilibrium zone within the chamber.
A method of concentrating positively charged .sup.235 U ions from a mixture of positively charged .sup.235 U and .sup.238 U ions in a separation chamber provided with positive and negative electrodes and having first and second contiguous compartments between said electrodes, said first compartment being positioned between said negative electrode and said second compartment, said method comprising the steps of:
- flowing a carrier fluid comprising .sup.235 U and .sup.238 U ions through said chamber, whereby said .sup.235 U and .sup.238 U ions are imparted with a movement due to said flow in the direction of said positive electrode;
- and
- applying an electric field across said electrodes whereby said .sup.235 U and .sup.238 U ions are imparted with a movement due to electrophoresis in the direction of said negative electrode, said electric field having a magnitude such that .sup.235 U ions when in said first compartment have a net movement in the direction of said positive electrode and when in said compartment have a net movement in the direction of said negative electrode, whereby said .sup.235 U ions accumulate in said first compartment in a region adjacent the common boundary of said first and second compartments.
An apparatus for segregating at least one species of ions, said apparatus comprising:
- means for producing longitudinally varying separation characteristics within a separation chamber;
- means for imparting movement to said ions in a first longitudinal direction within the chamber;
- and
- means for electrophoresing said ions in a second direction counter to said first direction to segregate said species into equilibrium zones within the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.