CENTRIFUGAL METHOD OF OBTAINING HIGHLY-ENRICHED ISOTOPE C AND DEVICE FOR CONDUCTING ISOTOPE EXCHANGE REACTIONS IN CASCADE OF GAS CENTRIFUGES Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear engineering and chemical industry.

SUBSTANCE: initial CO₂ is passed through counter-flow separating cascade of gas centrifuges. Devices for conducting the isotope exchange reactions are mounted in heavy fraction routes of cascade stages. These devices are closed with flat covers 3 and are filled with solid catalyst placed between safety screens 4. Raney nickel, ZnO or CuO may be used as catalyst. Initial CO₂ of non-equilibrium composition is fed through branch pipe 7. Reaction of homo-molecular isotope exchange between molecules CO₂ takes place on surface of catalyst 6; molecules include isotopes ¹²C, ¹³C, ¹⁶C, ¹⁷C, ¹⁸C. As a result, CO₂ takes equilibrium state, i.e. light ¹²C isotope is mainly contained in light fraction and heavy isotope - ¹³C is contained mainly in heavy fraction. CO₂ of equilibrium composition is passed through branch pipe 2, fed to supply route of next stage of cascade and is subjected to centrifugal separation. Device is additionally provided with circular heating loop 5. Provision is made for enrichment of CO₂ by isotope ¹³C no less than 99.32% and avoidance of deviation of CO₂ from equilibrium composition at gas centrifuge outlets.

EFFECT: enhanced efficiency.

4 cl, 1 dwg, 4 tbl, 1 ex