×

Separation of isotopes by ionization

  • US 6,267,850 B1
  • Filed: 12/21/1998
  • Issued: 07/31/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A process for separating desired components in a feed mixture comprising the steps of:

  • providing a feed, the feed including a plurality of mixed components, each component having a corresponding first thermal energy;

    applying energy to the entire feed such that each of the mixed components has a corresponding second thermal energy that is greater than the corresponding first thermal energy, the second thermal energy being sufficiently high to convert said feed into a plasma or ionized form;

    the conversion of said feed into a plasma or ionized form providing at least one component of the mixed components in at least partially ionized form and at least one different component of the mixed components in at least partially non-ionized form, the second thermal energy of the component in the ionized form being substantially same as the second thermal energy of the component in the non-ionized form;

    containing said plasma/ions in a magnetic field; and

    separating said ionized components from said non-ionized components when the ionized and non-ionized feed components are in substantially thermal equilibrium with one another for prevailing conditions.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×