Sublimation gas separator

An apparatus is provided for separating a sublimed gas such as gaseous UF6 from light gases, i.e., hydrogen and helium. Automatic metering and automatic separation of UF6 are possible. The apparatus includes weight measuring means, a separator body engaged with the weight measuring means and provided with an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit for the sublimed gas-containing gas, and a removable heating tank and removable cooling tank. Both tanks are so arranged that the separator body is alternately positioned in a heating and cooling zone. Both tanks have large calorific values and the temperature of the tanks can be maintained at a constant value. The solidification and sublimation are carried out by moving these tanks so that heat economy can be improved and automatic operation made possible. In addition, UF6 in separator body can be measured continuously and accurately. In operation, the separator body is cooled to about -700C with the cooling tank. A mixed gas of UF6 and a noncondensing gas is introduced into the body. UF6 gas condenses onto a heat conductive plate while passing through it. The noncondensing gas is exhausted from the outlet. After the condensation of a predetermined amount of UF6, the valve is closed. Then, the heating tank is moved to the separation body. The body is heated to about 500C to gasify UF6. The UF6 gas is transferred to the next centrifuge stage. After the completion of transfer, the cooling tank is moved to the body. (Iwakiri, K.)