Classification of model cascades for separation of multicomponent isotope mixtures

ABSTRACT

As far as we know, it is the first attempt to build the classification of the currently existing models of molecular-selective mass transfer in cascades for isotope separation in the stationary mode of their operation. In papers devoted to this subject, such cascades are often called as “model” ones. It is shown that for the case of symmetric separation any of such a “model” cascade can be represented as a special case of a cascade with constant separation factors. There are established interrelationships of the “model” cascades, both with each other and with the symmetrical countercurrent cascades feasible in practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Isotope separation
• quasi-ideal cascade
• multi-component mixture
• separation cascade

Novelty statement

We propose a classification of various cascades used to calculate and optimize the process of separation of multicomponent isotope mixtures.

It is demonstrated that in the theory of cascades the model cascade with the constant separation factors at its stages can be transformed into other model cascades. We have obtained the necessary relations for calculation of the parameters for this cascade and demonstrated how to reduce them for other model cascades by performing the limit transitions or introducing additional conditions.

Finally, the relationship of the model cascades with the symmetrical countercurrent cascades implemented in practice is established.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge support from the Global Competitiveness Project (Contract no. 02.a03.21.0005). Also, this research was partly supported by the grant of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research nо. 19-58-53002 GFEN_a and NSFC Grant No. 11911530087.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [11911530087]; Global Competitiveness Project [02.a03.21.0005]; Российский Фонд Фундаментальных Исследований (РФФИ) [19-58-53002 GFEN_a].