Optimization Criterion for Two-Stage Cascade for Iterative Molybdenum Isotopes Recovery by the method of laser-assisted retardation of condensation(SILARC)

Abstract

In this paper, application of the method of laser-assisted retardation of condensation has been considered for molybdenum isotope separation. Enrichment factor as a function of pressure and temperature of gas flow cold core have been evaluated. Since the maximal value of enrichment factor is not high(~ 1.8), to achieve desired enrichment level in products an iterative procedure is applied. To reduce the amount of wastes and increase performance of the SILARC method, introduction of the second stage into the separation cascade is considered. Relations between molar and isotopic fractions of target isotopologues on the first and second stages of the cascade at each iteration are found. Optimization problem is formulated to evaluate optimal physical parameters of a two-stage cascade for molybdenum isotopes enrichment.