681.Static Characteristics Analysis of Lithium Isotope Separation by Means of Plasma Centrifuge

Abstract

It becomes a principal aim to attain a high rotational velocity for isotope separation by taking advantage of an ultra-centrifuge field. This aim will be basically accomplished with plasma centrifuge. In this study, this method is applied to the separation of lithium isotopes.
Equations required for a theoreticai analysis are derived from the magnetohydrodynamics equations which represent the behavior of a fully ionized plasma under the assumption of ideal conditions, and then the static characteristics of mass density distributions are mainly investigated for a few of key plasma parameters. Forming from arc discharge in a linear cylindrical vacuum vessel, the lithium plasma can be rotated by Lorenz force (j×B). For the maximum rotational velocity of 7.6km/s, the separation factor αp being of the order of 1.5, it is reasonably concluded that plasma methods may be effective as a means of isotope separation.