Separation of Uranium Isotopes by the Chemical Exchange Method

Abstract

The basic chemical process and technology for producing 3-5% enriched uranium has been established, through advances which allowed increases in the electron-exchange and adsorption-desorption reaction rates, effective uranium adsorption band formation and maintenance, reduction of the mobile-phase dispersion, and reduction in the height of the separation unit, which is largely determined by the diffusion coefficient, the electron exchange reaction rate of uranium ions, and the non-uniform flow pattern in the adsorption band. Physical theory and experimental results show the attainment of a specific separation power of approximately 500 SWU/m³·yr for the process, and the possibility of an enrichment cost of $41/SWU in its commercial-scale application as calculated with depreciation terms of 15 years for equipment and 45 years for buildings and interest payments at 8% on investment capital. Inherent advantages of the process, in addition to low enrichment cost, are simple, stable operation and facilitation of the nuclear fuel cycle, with efficient separation of uranium-235 from the other uranium isotopes of spent nuclear fuel and elimination of the need for UF₆ conversion.