Method of isotope separation by chemi-ionization

US4024217A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration · US

Inventors

• Sol Wexler · Downers Grove, US
• Charles E. Young · Falling Waters, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 1975
• Grant date: May 17, 1977
• Expiry date: May 23, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D59/50
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for separating specific isotopes present in an isotopic mixture by aerodynamically accelerating a gaseous compound to form a jet of molecules, and passing the jet through a stream of electron donor atoms whereby an electron transfer takes place, thus forming negative ions of the molecules. The molecular ions are then passed through a radiofrequency quadrupole mass filter to separate the specific isotopes. This method may be used for any compounds having a sufficiently high electron affinity to permit negative ion formation, and is especially useful for the separation of plutonium and uranium isotopes.