STABLE ISOTOPE ENRICHMENT METHODS HISTORICAL REVIEW AND FUTURE TRENDS

摘要

A review of historical production methods for stable isotope enrichment and separation will be discussed encompassing calutron production (Electromagnetic or EM), membrane technology, cryogenic distillation, chemical separation, photochemical separation, centrifuge technology and laser isotope methods will be covered. Market conditions along with significant changes in OSHA requirements have played a major influence on these technologies for their continued use as production tools. As markets contract some of these technologies have become obsolete due to do dwindling financial viability. In other instances, precursor materials have come under greater control in their handling and use, such that traditional production methods are no longer available due to OSHA or similar guidelines. Such is the case for the enrichment of Ni isotopes via centrifuge production as the precursor feed stock, Nickel Carbonyl Ni(CO)_4, is under strict control. As is the production of Platinum isotopes via EM production as Platinum triflouride (PtF_3) is similarly banned. Being faced with these challenges production capabilities have still managed to cope with demand pressures in most cases. Innovation is providing new modalities to replace antiquated methods providing a turning point for future technologies to emerge that address financial pressures and precursor availability. A novel approach has been discovered to replace existing EM methods for example by combining optical pumping and atom excitation used in laser isotope enrichment methods with magnetic guiding collection systems used in traditional calutron techniques. This methodology is deemed to be 100x more efficient than calutron production while also being able to overcome the financial and raw material obstacles.