Method and apparatus for separating isotopes from a gas by means of a laser
US4156811A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1977 |
| Grant date | May 29, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D59/34
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Isotopes are separated from a gas mixture by accelerating the gas mixture containing the isotopes to ultrasonic speeds sufficient to bring the gas temperature to 150.degree. K or less. Simultaneously, the gas is subject to a pressure well above the vapor pressure of the gas at said temperature. Under these conditions the gas is subjected to a laser radiation having a wave length corresponding to the absorption line or band of the molecules containing the isotopes to be separated, whereby the molecules are excited so that they may be separated by conventional devices. The present apparatus has a high pressure reservoir supplying the gas mixture through a device for producing said ultrasonic speeds into an expansion chamber. As the gas flowing at said speeds is irradiated by the laser beam, it expands into a low pressure reservoir. The laser is arranged so that the laser beam extends across the expanding gas flow at a point where the expanding gas does not yet start to condense.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.