JPS5811026A - Method and device for separating substance having different atomic weight - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for separating substances of different atomic weight using plasma centrifugation, and in particular to a method and apparatus for separating substances of different atomic weight using plasma centrifugation, and in particular to The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sufficiently ionizing and forming plasma.

It is known in the art to separate materials by rotating a plasma containing materials with different atomic weights. In the prior art, the neutral gas containing the substance to be separated is ionized by passing an electric current through it. However, these prior art gas discharge plasmas are only partially ionized. Thus, although the ionized plasma components respond to the electromagnetic field that rotates the plasma, the drag forces due to neutral atoms in and around the spinning plasma limit the rotational speed and therefore the centrifugation of such prior art limits the degree of mass separation achieved by the machine. The viscosity of the neutral atoms results in plasma rotational speeds well below the Alfvén critical velocity with correspondingly low mass separation. In a partially ionized plasma, the Alfvén velocity limit is reached when the rotational energy of the ions is equal to the ionization energy of the neutral atoms. Further energy input to the rotating plasma primarily ionizes residual neutral atoms.

Since the centrifugal force applied to materials of different atomic weights is a function of the rotational speed, the limit on the rotational speed imposed by the drag force of neutral atoms substantially reduces the centrifugal force and therefore reduces the separation of prior art devices. reduce ability.

The main object of this invention is to ensure that the plasma containing the substances to be separated is sufficiently ionized, thereby reducing the drag force when the plasma or the plasma is rotated by imparting a magnetic force to it. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for separating substances of different atomic weight using a plasma centrifuge in which a plasma is formed by focusing laser energy onto the substances to be separated. That's true.

Yet another object of the invention is that the initial total ionization is carried out using pulsed laser energy, and when the laser pulse is completed, applying a current to the material to be separated;
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for separating substances of different atomic weight using plasma centrifugation, thereby also resulting in their total ionization.

Yet another object of the invention is to ensure total ionization using pulsed laser energy and current by producing ionization in a small volume or point of a target of material to be separated.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for centrifuging substances of different molecular weight. The material to be separated is positioned within an evacuated vessel having a longitudinal axis.

A magnetic field is generated within the vessel impinging on the longitudinal axis of the vessel, and a target comprising the material to be separated is positioned at one end within the vessel. Positioned at the other end of the collector or vessel. Pulsed laser energy is focused onto the material to be separated, thereby completely ionizing at least a portion of the material and forming a plasma therefrom. Immediately following the arrival of the laser energy, an electric current is passed through the material to be separated, thereby causing a more complete ionization of the material and thereby forming an additional plasma. The fully ionized plasma is rotated and moved from the target to the collector of the object to be separated a by applying a magnetic field.

At least a portion of the ionized material is separated by centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the plasma by the magnetic field.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plasma centrifuge according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, vessel 1 is evacuated using diffusion pump 3. An electromagnetic coil 5 surrounds the vessel 1, which may even be cylindrical in shape. The axis of the coil 5 corresponds to the longitudinal axis A-A of the vessel l. A solid target 7 containing the material to be separated is positioned at one end of the benzel 1 and connected to one terminal of a power source 9. In a preferred embodiment, the target is solid. Creating a well-ionized plasma is facilitated by using a solid target in a vacuum. However, liquid or gas targets may also be used. Laser 11 is focused onto target 7 such that laser energy therefrom can be applied to target 7.

In operation, laser 11 is pulsed and the pulsed laser energy is focused onto target 7 . The laser may be, for example, a pulsed C02 laser. The laser pulse ionizes a portion of the target to form a plasma. When the laser pulse ends, the capacitor 9a of the capacitor discharge power supply 9
The charge stored in the target 7 is discharged through the target 7 and a current flows through it. This current further ionizes a portion of the material to be separated and thereby further increases the plasma. Once the discharge of current from the power source 9 through the target 7 has ended, the laser 11 is re-pulsed and the power source is then discharged in a repeating cycle. The plasma creates an electric field pressure that has a radially inward direction. Furthermore, the flow of current across the magnetic field B created by the magnetic coil 5 produces a Lorentz force on the plasma which acts to spin or rotate the plasma column about the directional axis A-A. Furthermore, the magnetic field confines the plasma to the central portion of the Bencell, and the magnetic field also causes the plasma to flow to the end plate collectors. Since the plasma is spinning or rotating, heavier atomic weight materials tend to move radially outward as a result of the greater centrifugal force exerted on them compared to lighter atomic weight materials. Once, when the plasma strikes the end plate collector, the heavier material concentrates more toward the radially outer portion of the end plate collector;
and as a result there is a greater concentration of lighter material in the radially inner portion of the end plate collector. Separation is achieved by increasing the concentration of one 81S of material compared to that of 7m in different radial sections of the end plate collector.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relative abundance of heavier and lighter paulownia wood at various radii on an end-blade collector. The three curves shown are plasma! KA This is a theory for different values of anti. These curves are normalized to units with the axis of the end plate collector coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the vessel. As can be seen in the curve, the density of coarser materials increases as the radius increases (Z). Conversely, the thermal properties of lighter materials increase with approach in the radial or axial direction.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments disclosed herein are therefore to be regarded in all respects as illustrative and not as restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the detailed description. and all modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced herein.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plasma centrifuge according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows the relative abundance of two substances with different molecular weights versus the radius measured on the end plate collector. In the figure, 1 is a vessel, 3 is a diffusion pump, 5 is an electromagnetic coil, 7 is a target, 9 is a power supply, 11 is a laser, 1
3 indicates a collector. Patent applicant: J.L. Hassfeld FI6
2.Continued from page 1 of Juya C. Applicant: Mahadevan Krishnan, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America, Yale Station P.O. Box 605 Procedural amendment type (method) % formula % 2. Name of invention is different Method and Apparatus for Separating Substances of Atomic Weight 3, Relation to the Amendr's Case Patent Applicant Address 55, Handenkiller Road, Neticut, United States of America Name G. L. Hatschfeldt (1 Yoka) 1 person) 4, Agent Address: 2-3-9 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Yachiyo Daiichi Building Telephone: Osaka (06) 351-6239 (Main) November 24, 1981 6. Drawings subject to amendment, delegation Letter and translation, certificate of nationality and residence (for Mahadevan Krishnan) and translation. 7. Contents of amendment (1) The drawings drawn during production are as attached. There are no changes to the content. (2) Power of attorney and translation as attached. (3) Certificate of nationality and residence (for Mahadevan Krishnan) and translation as attached. Above 2-

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A method for separating substances between different atoms, which comprises placing the substance in a vacuum, focusing laser energy onto the 1ffrj substance to ionize a part of it, and creating a plasma. forming a current through the njj material and the ionized portion to further ionize the open material and thereby further forming a plasma, and applying a magnetic field to the ionized plasma to create an ionized plasma. and moving the ionized plasma in a direction away from the non-ionized portion of the substance, the rotation of the ionized plasma centrifuging at least a portion of the substance, and the centrifugation A method of placing a separated ionized plasma onto a collector. (2) Lawful focusing of laser energy includes focusing a pulsed laser onto the material;
A method according to claim (1). (3) The method according to claim 2+ or claim (JI), wherein the step of passing a current through the substance includes discharging a capacitor means through the substance. 1. An apparatus for centrifuging a substance, comprising: a vessel means having a longitudinal axis; a vacuum means for creating a vacuum in the vessel; magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in the means; target means made of the above-mentioned material and positioned at one end of the Benssel means; collector means positioned at the other end of the vessel; focusing laser energy onto a target means;
and laser means for ionizing at least a portion of said substance and forming a plasma therefrom; and power supply means connected to said target means for providing an electric current flowing through said target means. ionization of said substance is further effected by means of an electric current, and thereby an additional plasma is further formed therefrom; iiJ the ionized plasma is rotated by the electromagnetic field of 1) and i']jj the target means collector; a centrifugal separator, wherein at least a portion of the ionized substance is separated by centrifugal force resulting from its rotation. The apparatus according to paragraph (4). (6) The power supply means applies current pulses to the target means, and the n laser means apply laser pulses attacking the target at predetermined intervals,
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined interval corresponds to a time during which the power source is recharged. (7) The magnetic field generating means includes at least one electromagnetic coil surrounding the vessel means, the axis of the coil coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the vessel means. A device according to any of paragraph (6). +81. The device of claim +71, wherein said at least one coil comprises a plurality of coils. (A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the power supply means comprises a charged capacitor network.) The collector means is a plate. The apparatus according to any one of claims (4) to (6), wherein all the target means are solid. equipment.