Synthesis of Value Function for Multicomponent Isotope Sepration

Abstract

A value function for multicomponent isotope separation is derived by utilizing the separation factors defined in each two component pair in multicomponent system. The derivation is performed by extending the theory of separative power for binary separation system. Since the value function for binary separation is constructed to cancel the difference between increases in value per unit flow of two components, the value function for multicomponent separation is expected to have a similar structure. In k components separating system, like binary separation, separative powers are introduced for all the pairs of j-k components (j = l, 2, ···, k — 1) between which separation factors are defined. These separative powers represent increases in value by separation. A multi-component value function is obtained by synthesizing the two-component value functions for all the pairs so that the differences among increases in value per unit flow of all components are counteracted.