Professional Documents
Culture Documents
J. M. CARTER ETAL
2,758,006
7 Sheets-Sheet 1
INVENTORS
James M. Ca/fzer
BY
Marf/h D. Aamen
wa W
ATTORNEY.
Aug. 7, 1956
2,758,006
J. M. CARTER ET AL
ISOTOPE ENRICHMENT PROCESS
7 Sheets-Sheet 2
Norma/ U 0/4
L_____
I FIRST 5 TA 65
Normal
Uranium
Compounds
and Impurities
lmpo var/shed
Uranium Metal
and impurities
RECOVERY I
RECOVERY I
RECOVERY
Uranium
Compounds
and impurities
PURIFICATION
FIRST .5 TA CE
Enriched
Uranium Metal
Uranium
Uran ium
Compounds
Compounds
and impurities
and impurities
lmpwf
D/SCARD
DISCARD
Uranium
Compound
Fig. 2
[CONVERSION l
110/4
_____I
FIRE T 5 TA GE
Enriched
Uranium Compounds
and lmpurities
RECOVERY I
SECOND .STACE
Enriched
Uranium Metal
SECO/VD STAGE
impoverished
Uranium Metal
and Impurities
RECOVERY I
Uranium
Compounds
and Impurities
PURIFICATION MUM
Uranium
Uranium
and impurities
and Impurities
Compounds
Compound
Compounds
PURIFICATION '
SALVAGE
Uranium
EVE RY
SAL VA GE
_{Uranium
cam/10'1"
CONVE RSION l
TORS.
JamesINM.VEN
Carter
BY
Martin
D. Kamen
_
END PRODUCT
A TTORNEY.
Aug. 7, 1956
2,758,006
J, M. CARTER ET AL
ISOIOPE ENRICHMEN T PROCESS
v sheets-sheet s
'I
DISSOLVING URANIUM METAL
50L IDS
GONDENSING
H20
T0 DISCARD
0R SALVAGE
CONDENSING
3
TF- OXIDIZING
202
PREGIPITATING . F/LT/W'E
OR SALVAGE
PREC/P/ 771 TE
FILTERING
H/V03
mssoE
TO DISCARD
0R SALVAGE
PRECIPITATING '
PRECIPITATING
FIL TRA T5
FIN/FATE
TO DISCARD
T0 DISCARD
OR SALVAGE
(Fig. 4)
0R SALVAGE
CALOINING
M03
DISSOLVINGI
ADJUSTING
IVH4DI~I
Hun,
DISSOLVING
ADJUSTING
IVH40H
PH (2)
PH (21
CH4
PRECIPITATING
[W14 0
AND FILTERING
REDUCING
PREGIPITATING P?Ec/R
TO DISCARD
OR SALVAGE
GALCINING
REACTING
TO DISCARD
0R SALVAGE
GAS
ACIDIFYING
HN03
AND HEATING
RES/DUE
PREGIPITATING
FIL 7R4 TE
TO SALVAGE
TO DISCARD
OR SALVAGE
fFig. 6/
END PRODUCT
(Fig. 7)
BY
INVENTORS'. '
James M. Car/er
Mart/n 0. Kamen
119.3
A TTORNE).
'
Aug. 7, 1956
J. M. CARTER ETAL
2,758,006
7 Sheets-Sheet 5
SOLUT/ON
HNO3
;-->- CONDENSING
U02 ++
_/
EVAPORATING
ICONCENTRA TED
SOgZTLQN
jF/LTRA TE
Cu"
PRECIPITATING
F LCM/WW
++
T-> AND Fl TE ms
NH4OH
L R
PRESVP/
T4 TES
NH4 21/207
*CuWH/Z
*Trace
TO DISCARD
OR SALVAGE
-Z___>_
DISSOLVING
HN 0 3
SOLUTION
U02 ++
*Cu++
*Tmce
F/L m4 TE
*Cu (NF/3h H
* Trace
PRECIPITATING
ZNH4 OH
AND FILTERING
{ PREC/P/TA TE
(NMM1207
TO DISCARD
OR SALVAGE
94%
TO FURTH ER
T REATM ENT
INVENTORS
Jame; M. C'arzer
BY
Mari/n D. Aamen
g 5>
ATTORNEY.
Aug- 7, 1956
J. M. CARTER ET AL
2,758,006
I 7 Sheets-Sheet 6
STARTING
MATERIAL
FROM PR|OR
PREC/P/MTES
TREATMENT
(NH )zU 0,
Fe (0Off/f3
Cr
)3
[> DISSOLVING
--> DIsSoLvING
HNO3
LHNOa
SOLUTION
U02 ++
Fe+++
Fe +++
CF+++
Cr+++
ADJUSTING
[NH4OH
S0LuT/o/v
UO2++
PH (2)
ADJUSTING
ZNH4OH
PH (2)
SOLUT/ON
SOLUT/ON
UO2++
UO2++
cr+++
cr+++
Fe*++
I
Fe+++
PREGIPITATING
PRECIPITATING
(NIL/#2 CO3
(NH4)2CO3
q
PREC/P/TA TES
Fem/773
cdowa
*/NH4)2 U2 0,
.
PREC/P/TATES
Fe (0 m3
040/03
TO DISCARD
0R SALVAGE
*7. me
TO DIScARD
OR SALVAGE
F/L TRA TE
\ F/L TPA TE
[NH4)4UO2 (c0313
(NH4)4UO2 (Cosh
ACIDI FYING
'
ECO?
GAS
SOLUT/ON
U102 (NOS/2
rF/LTRATE
PREcIPITATrNG
IfREc/P/
NH
u TA
0 TE
)2 2 7
To FURTHER
T R EATMENT
.
To DISCARD
OR SALVAGE
INVENTORS
FI?' 6
Jame; M. Carzer
BY
Mari/n D. Kama/1
ATTORNEY.
Aug. 7, 1956
2,758,006
J. M. CARTER ETAL
ISOTOPE ENRICHMENT PROCESS
7 Sheets-Sheet 7
W14); U207
TREATMENT
VAPORS
CALCINING
NH3
H2O
?E")- REDUCING
GASES
<10:
7>-
CO
CC/4
H2O
282525
REACTING
co
CO2
CIZ
-uc/5
\
GASES
7Z_>REACTING
0/4
co c1
coz 2
co
cl2
CALCINING
004 ~
GCfS
2
-UC/4
RES/DUE
U02
0002
SUBLIMING
IN VACUUM
'
v _
TO SALVAGE
SUBL'IMA TE
u c/4
END
PRODUCT
Fig. 7
INVENTORS
James M. Carzer
BY
Mari/'12 D. Kama/7
M a
ATTORNEY.
1C6
2,758,006
Fatented Aug. 7, 1956
2
2,758,006
ISOTOPE ENRICHNIENT PROCESS v
Energy Commission
able for use 'in carrying out the process of the present
10
element is deposited.
A further object of the invention is to provide a process
tope.
isotope.
A further object of the invention is to provide a process 60 character noted, which comprises magnetic ?eld structure
2,758,006
1'6 and 17, and end walls 18 and 19. The end walls 18
of the upper pole piece 11, whereby the top and bottom
walls 14 and 15 constitute in effect pole pieces with re
spect to the interior of the tank 13, as explained more
fully hereinafter.
The removable end? wall 18 carries an insulator 20
1_
II
block 35; the tubular liner 41 constituting an electrostatic
shield for the high-velocity ions traversing the. curved
paths between the slit 33 formed by the plates 32 of the
ion accelerating structure and the slots 38 and 39 formed
in the collector block 35, as explained more fully herein
after.
In view of the above description, it will be understood
that the parts of the calutron 10- carried by the removable
end wall 18 constitute a source unit, and the end of the
tank 13 disposed adjacent the source unit constitutes the.
source region of the calutron. Similarly, the parts of the
calutron carried by the removable end wall 19 constitute
a collector unit, and the end of the tank 13 disposed
established within the tank 13-, the electric circuits for the
windings associated with the pole pieces 11 and 12 are
slot 26. being formed in the wall thereof remote from the
charge block 21. Thus, the arc block 25. is of hollow 30 closed and. adjusted, whereby a predetermined magnetic
construction, having a central arc cavity 27 formed
?eld is. established therebe-tween, traversing the tank 13.
therein, the. arc cavity 27 formed in the arc block 25
The electric: circuit for the heating elements 23. is closed,
communicating through the tubular member 24 with the
whereby the charge in; the charge pocket 22 in the charge
cavity 22 formed in the charge block 21.
block 21 is, heated and vaporized. The vapor ?lls the
charge pocket 22 and is conducted through the tubular
Also, the removable end wall 18 carries an insulator 28,
disposed above the insulator 24), which supports horizon
member. 24. into the cavity 27 formed in the arc block 25.
tally projecting, cathode sn'ucture 29, including a ?lamen
electric. circuit for the ?lamentary cathode 30 is
tary cathode 30 adapted to be connected to a suitable
closed, whereby the ?lamentary cathode 30 is heated and
source of current. The cathode structure 29 projects over
rendered electron-emissive. Then the electric circuit. be
the upper end of the charge block 21, whereby the ?la 40 tween. the ?lamentary cathode 30 and the anode 31 is
mentary cathode 3.0 overhangs and is aligned with re
closed, whereby an arc discharge is struck therebetween,
spect to the upper end of the cavity 27 formed. in the are
electrons proceeding from the ?lamentary cathode 30 to
block 25. Further, an anode 31 is arranged below and
the anode 3.1. The electrons proceeding from the ?la
in alignment with respect to the lower end of the cavity
mentary cathode 30 to the anode 31 break up themolecu
27 formed in the arc block 25., the anode 31 being, sup
lar form of the, compound of the vapor to a considerable
ing through the slot 26'. and the slit 33, due to the effect
spaced from the walls 14, 15, 16 and 17' thereof. One end
of the tubular liner 4'1 terminates adjacent the accelerat
ing structure, including the plates 32; and~ the other end
of the tubular liner 41 terminates adjacent the collector
2,758,006
the interior of the adjacent end of the liner 41, but to some
extent upon the exterior thereof, the walls of the tank'13
in the region of the source and upon the exterior surfaces
a deposit of the relatively light isotope of the element
of the various elements of the source unit including the
therein, while the ions of the relatively heavy isotope of
arc block 25, the charge block 21, etc.
the element are collected in the pocket 37 and deionized 15
More particularly, the minor fraction of the UCL; vapor
ratio between mass and charge such that they are focused
through the slots 38 and 39 into the pockets 36 and 37
formed
in the collector block 35; the atomic ions U+ of
been vaporized in order to obtain appropriate deposits
of the isotopes of the element in the pockets 36 and 37 25 masses 234 and 235 focusing through the slot 38 into
the pocket 36, and the atomic ions Ur of mass 238 focus~
of the collector block 35, the end wall 19 may be removed
ing
through the slot 39 into the pocket 37, as previously
and the deposits of the collected isotopes in the pockets
noted.
36 and 37 in the collector block 35 may be reclaimed.
The doubly ionized atomic ions U++ have such a ratio
Of course, it will be understood that the various dimen
between mass and charge that they are de?ected along
sions of the parts of the calutron 10, the various electrical
an arc of shorter radius into engagement with the inner
40
tween mass and charge such that they are de?ected along
arcs of intermediate radii into engagement with the inner
wall of the liner 41 intermediate the source region and the
collector region, where they are tie-ionized to form a de
posit thereon.
Accordingly, it will be understood that, after operation
Accord
.
is vaporized in the charge block 2-1 and conducted through
Considering the present process .in greater detail with
the tubular member 24 into the cavity 27 formed in the
respect to U238 as compared to natural or normal uranium.
2,758,008
7
thermal-neutron ?ssionable isotope U235 for commercial
um and producing a second~stage enriched product having 25 a manner more fully explained hereinafter. The metallic
uranium impoverished with respect to U235 and deposited
an enrichment factor of the order of 20 with respect to
in the second pocket of the collector is recovered by an
the ?rst-stage enriched uranium, whereby the second
acid wash process and discarded, as it contains so little
stage enriched uranium product has a ?nal enrichment
U135 that further processing thereof is not feasible.
factor of the order of 400 with respect to natural or nor
The residue of UCh deposited on the parts of the ?rst
mal uranium. By employing the present process, whereby
stage
calutron disposed in the source region thereof, prin
the ultimate enrichment of the ?nal uranium product is
cipally upon the liner, is recovered by a water wash proc
obtained in two stages, as indicated above, each of the
ess, whereby various impurities including copper, iron,
?rst-stage and the second-stage calutrons may be operated
chromium, nickel and carbon are introduced in the wash
in the stable range and to give a maximum yield of en
solution, due to the fact that the various parts of the
riched material.
?rst-stage calutron which are thus washed with water are
Accordingly, in the present process it will be understood
formed of the materials mentioned. Accordingly, the
that in the event the calutron 10 comprises a ?rst-stage
wash
Solution containing natural or normal uranium
calutron, the deposit of uranium in the pocket 37 in the
which has been reclaimed, contains considerable impuri
collector block 35 has been impoverished with respect to
ties. To this wash solution there is added makeup mate
the desired isotope U235, and is recovered therefrom and
rial
in the form of a wash solution derived from the
discarded; while the deposit of uranium in the pocket 36
second-stage calutron, and comprising the wash solution
in the collector block 35 has been singly enriched with
from the second pocket of the collector, and containing
respect to the desired isotope U235, and is recovered there
uranium which has been ?rst enriched with U235 in the
from and subsequently treated in a second-stage calutron.
a second-stage calutron, the deposit of uranium in the
pocket 37 in the collector block 35 has been ?rst enriched
and then impoverished with respect to the desired isotope
isotope, U235.
Considering now the present process in greater detail,
As
are recovered.
2,758,066
10
2,758,006
12
11
first pocket of the collector of the ?rst-stage calutron, or
of the metallic uranium, doubly enriched with U235, from
the ?rst pocket of the collector of the second-stage calu
iron, and the initial steps of the subsequent puri?cation
Of the uranium thus recovered, reference is made to the
portion of the ?ow diagram illustrated in Fig. 5. The
inner surfaces of the ?rst pocket of the, collector of the
calutron are etched with I-INOg, about 8 N, whereby
the deposit of metallic uranium, either singly or doubly
enriched with U235, is dissolved; and various impurities, 10
principally copper, are introduced in the acid wash solu
tion, due to the fact that the collector of the calutron
which is thus etched with nitric acid is formed of the
13
2,758,006
,
14
2,758,006
16
15
enriched isotope.
10. In a process for increasing the yield of a selected
said separator.
5. In a method of operating an electromagnetic isotope
separator to obtain higher yields the steps comprising re
moving a ?rst enriched element from said separator,
chemically purifying said element to remove inimicable
separator. '
isotopes.
prises uranium.
2,108,570
2,137,430
2,221,467
2,758,006
17
18
2,331,189
2,341,551
,-
_____________ __
Egg}; '
______________
F2? 15 1342
'
OTHER REFERENCES
vol. 57, Mar. 15, 1940, page 546; and vol. 55, Jan. 15,