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US 8,298,318 B2Granted
Integrated spin systems for the separation and recovery of isotopes
OwnerAlfred Y. Wonginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and methods for the recovery of isotopes. In at least one exemplary method of the present disclosure at least one gas comprising a plurality of isotopes is provided. An electric field is generated in a radial direction to at least partially ionize the gas. A magnetic field is generated in an axial direction perpendicular to the radial direction and at least one isotope is recovered from the gas.
Claims12
A method for recovering isotopes comprising:
- providing at least one neutral target gas comprising at least a plurality of isotopes into a chamber;
- providing at least one ionizable background gas into said chamber;
- generating an electric field in a first direction of said chamber;
- generating a plasma discharge current in said chamber to at least partially ionize the background gas;
- generating a magnetic field in a second direction of said chamber perpendicular to the first direction to induce rotation of said ionized gas about an axis of said chamber and to induce ion-neutral coupling between the ionized background gas and the neutral target gas;
- and
- recovering at least one isotope of said neutral target gas from said rotating ionized gas.
4 more elements
Apparatus for recovering isotopes, comprising:
- a chamber having a gas input line and a product output line;
- a discharge rod;
- a discharge shell surrounding said discharge rod;
- a voltage supply for establishing a voltage difference between said discharge rod and said discharge shell, and for generating a plasma discharge current that at least partially ionizes a background gas introduced into said chamber through said gas input line;
- and
- a magnet for generating a magnetic field in said chamber in a direction perpendicular to said voltage difference, said magnetic field causing said ionized background gas to rotate within said chamber in a direction about an axis of said chamber and to couple with neutrals of a neutral target gas comprising at least a plurality of isotopes so as to separate at least one isotope of said neutral target gas within a localized area of said rotating ionized gas;
- wherein at least one isotope is extracted from said chamber through said product output line inserted into said localized area of said rotating ionized gas.
4 more elements
Apparatus for recovering isotopes, comprising:
- a chamber;
- a voltage supply for establishing a voltage difference within said chamber, wherein said voltage difference at least partially ionizes a background gas introduced into said chamber;
- and
- a magnet for generating a magnetic field in said chamber in a direction perpendicular to said voltage difference, said magnetic field causing said ionized background gas to rotate within said chamber in a direction about an axis of said chamber and to couple with neutrals of a neutral target gas comprising at least a plurality of isotopes so as to separate at least one isotope of said neutral target gas within a localized area of said rotating ionized gas;
- wherein at least one isotope is extracted from said chamber from said rotating ionized gas.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.