Investigation of nozzles, jets, and channels for the separation of heavy isotopes

The analysis presented is based on two methods of numerically determining flow parameters: finite-difference solution of the governing fluid dynamic equations, and Monte Carlo simulation. A set of fluid equations for ternary flow with disparate mass were derived from the kinetic equation assuming a 95 percent, 5 percent mixture of light molecules to heavy molecules. The finite-difference solution of these equations initially was obtained for a simple two-dimensional channel separator. A direct simulation method also was applied to the channel. Results of the two methods are presented. The extension of the direct simulation method to separation devices of practical size required the tracing of sample particle trajectories. The flow predicted by the sample particle method is compared with direct simulation results. Results obtained for systems of practical size and Knudsen number are presented for parametric variations of geometry and flow conditions