Method of separating isotope compounds by selective excitation and reaction in a solid matrix

US4289592A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Karl Janner · Erlangen, DE
• Klaus Gregorius · Copenhagen, DK
• Reinhold Müller · Baiersdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 1978
• Grant date: Sep 15, 1981
• Expiry date: Apr 11, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D59/34
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Separation of an isotope substance from a vaporous mixture of isotope substances such as UF.sub.6, by selective excitation of low temperature of one isotope compound by electromagnetic radiation to effect chemical reaction of the excited isotope compound with a reaction partner. Separate bodies of the vaporous mixture of isotope compounds and the reaction partner are cooled by adiabatic expansion to a temperature below 100 K. The cooled vapors are mixed in a chamber where the reaction partner is condensed to form solid matter into which isotope compounds are incorporated. The solid matter with or without compacting is subjected to radiation to excite one isotope compound and react it with the reaction product to produce a reaction product which contains predominently the one isotope.