Method and apparatus for separating substances of different atomic weights using a plasma centrifuge
US4458148A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 1981 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D59/20
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for centrifugally separating substances of different atomic weights. The substances to be separated are positioned in an evacuated vessel which has a longitudinal axis. A magnetic field is generated in the vessel parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel and a target comprised of the substances to be separated is positioned within the vessel at one end thereof. A collector is positioned at the other end of the vessel. Pulsed laser energy is focused on the substances to be separated thereby fully ionizing at least a portion of the substances and forming a plasma therefrom. Immediately following the focusing of the laser energy, a current is passed through the substances to be separated which causes further full ionization of the substances and thereby the formation of additional plasma. The ionized plasma is rotated and moved from the substances which are to be separated to a collector by the application of the magnetic field. At least a portion of the ionized substances are separated by the centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the plasma by the magnetic field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.