Enrichment of heavy water in flat-plate thermal diffusion columns inclined for improved performance

摘要

The optimum angles of inclination for maximum separtion, maximum production rate and minimum column length in a flat-plat thermal-diffusion column for enrichment of heavy water have been detrmined. Essential improvement in performance is obtainable if hte column is tilted at the optimum angle, instead of being placed vertically, so that the convection strength can be properly redu ed and controlled, resulting in suppresing the undesirable remixing effect while still preserving the desirable cascading effe t. Accordingly, considerable saving in fixed and operating charges can be achieved, particularly for lower production rate operations, or for smaller degree of separation.