Investigating the R, Q, QI model cascades in multicomponent system by gas centrifuge

Abstract

In this research, the analytical and numerical comparison of the R model cascade with Q and QI model cascades for stable isotope separation has been done. In this regard, the numerical codes for the design of the R and QI model cascade for comparison to the analytical Q model cascade have been written in MATLAB software. The results show that for two components k1 and k2, a few R-cascades are special states of the QI cascade for the k1 component. Also, the findings show that the sum of the partial cut values for two components k1 and k2 in the cascade R is always equal to one (θk1,s+ θk2,s=1). Based on the results, if the parameter M* in the Q model is equal to the mean value of the two components, k1, and k2, in the R model, these two models are the same. Therefore, the R cascade is a special case of QI and Q cascades. The QI cascade encompasses a wide range of cascades, and by choosing the right cut in it, optimal relations can be achieved. For example, the results for isotopes 4 and 9 of Xe show that the total flow rate is optimal for the QI cascade. This is compared to the Q and R models.

Keywords

• separation
• stable isotopes
• r model
• q model
• qi model