Resolution of Inconsistencies of Separative Power for Asymmetric Process

Abstract

A separative power of a separating process δU is an increase of a value of an isotope mixture which passes through the process, and is calculated by use of a value function V(R) (R: abundance ratio). The separative power, however, involves various inconsistencies especially for an asymmetric process. To remove these inconsistencies, concepts of a “separative power with respect to desired material δU b ” and that δU a with respect to undesired material are introduced. Two functional forms, having been considered to be the separative power (with respect to mixture) per unit flow rate δU/G a +G b ), correspond to separative powers per unit flow of desired and undesired material δU b /G b , δU a /G a , respectively: where α and β are heads and tails separation factors. Value functions which give δU b or δU a are independent of separation factors: V b (R)=In R, V a (R) = — In R, so inconsistencies encountered by δU never occur. δU b , or δU a of a single element and of a cascade are obtained by the same functi...