Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft

Eberhard Schuster

Arno Kersting

Klaus Gregorius

Karl Janner

Hans-Joachim Niemann

Hans-Joachim Neimann

Separation of isotopes from a gaseous mixture of substances containing the isotopes by incorporating supplemental gas and adiabatically expanding at an expansion ratio and starting temperature to cool the mixture and effect condensation of at least a portion of the supplemental gas. Laser radiation is applied to effect selective excitation of one isotope component with selective retention of the non-excited isotope component in the condensate. The condensation may be accelerated by generating condensation nuclei. A compression joint may be used to effect a temperature rise of the gaseous mixture and peelers employed to separate the gas stream portion rich in excited isotope component from the portion rich in non-excited isotope component.

Method of separating isotopes from gaseous mixtures

Method and apparatus for separation of an isotope substance from a mixture of isotope substances such as UF.sub.6 by adiabatically decompressing the mixture in vaporous or gaseous form to cool the mixture to a temperature below 100.degree. K. and irradiating by an electromagnetic wave selectively absorbed by an isotope substance, passing the mixture after cooling and irradiating in a diffuser at a velocity greater than the speed of sound and decelerating to convert the velocity into pressure with reduced velocity of the mixture. The higher pressure results in substantial reduction in operating costs and capital investment.

Method and apparatus for the separation of isotope mixtures

Molecules to be separated from a mixture of matter of a chemical component are excited in a manner known per se by narrow-band light sources, and a chemical reaction partner for reacting with these molecules is admixed while supplied with energy by electromagnetic radiation or heating, and as additionally required for making chemical reactions possible.

Method for separating gaseous mixtures of matter

To separate isotopes from a gaseous mixture containing isotopes and a chemical reaction partner, the reaction between the partner and the isotope to be separated can be directed by a laser beam having a narrow band of wave lengths molecularly exciting the isotope to be separated. To maximize such an effect, the gaseous mixture is held inside of a laser cavity chamber with the cavity chamber providing at both ends with completely reflecting end plates, the laser being operated to form a resonating wave which travels back and forth through the mixture.

Method for separating isotopes from gaseous mixtures

Molecules to be separated from a mixture of matter of a chemical component are excited in a manner known per se by narrow-band light sources, and a chemical reaction partner for reacting with these molecules is admixed while supplied with energy by electromagnetic radiation or heating, as an addition required for making chemical reactions possible. The mixture and the partner are physically separated while the mixture is being excited and while the partner is being supplied with the energy, the two then being mixed together to cause the reaction.

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Erlangen, Germany

Eberhard Schuster