Uranium nozzle separation process

The nozzle separation process utilizes the centrifugal forces which occur upon diversion of a gas stream. A gas stream of uranium(VI) fluoride, helium and hydrogen is directed along a curved wall and then split by a peeling off plate into two gas streams with enrichment of the heavier and lighter isotopes respectively. 

As stated above, the development of the LIGA process began at the Research Center in Karlsruhe (FZK), Germany, in the 70s as a rather inexpensive method of producing very small slotted nozzles of any lateral shape for uranium-isotope separation by the nozzle process. Its usage is now wide spread globally as well as to a much... 

Gl. Geppert, H., et al. The Industrial Implementation of the Separation Nozzle Process, Proceedings of the International Conference on Uranium Isotope Separation, British Nuclear Energy Society, London, Mar. 5-7, 1975. 

Enrichment of the Sy-isotope from the 0.711% in natural uranium to ca. 4% can proceed by gas diffusion, with a gas centrifuge and with separation nozzles. The separation nozzle process is no longer important. Pure uranium(VI) fluoride is utilized. 

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