Features of mass transfer of intermediate components in square gas centrifuge cascade for separating multicomponent mixtures

Abstract

Based on an analysis of the results of a series of numerical experiments, the principles of isotope-selective mass transfer have been analyzed in ordinary square cascade from gas centrifuges to separate multi-component mixtures depending on the relationship between external flows. It has been shown that the ratio of product and feed flows considerably affects the mass transfer of the components of separated mixture along the square cascade primarily on the components with intermediate mass number (in a series of mass numbers of all components of separated mixture). With change in the given ratio, the transfer of intermediate components may undergo qualitative changes and shift the direction of enrichment, e.g., from the light end of the cascade to the heavy end. The determined principles rationalize the opportunities to control mass transfer of intermediate components due to the change in the ratios between external flows of cascade.