Optimized production of uranium enriched through gaseous diffusion

After a brief description of the uranium enrichment process through gaseous diffusion, the methods chosen to optimize the plant in which this process is operated are explained. Two main optimization groups are examined: design optimizations, which object is to determine materials and nominal operating conditions of the plant; dynamic optimizations, dealing with plant operating during its various stages (erection, starting up, adjustment to market conditions, possible enlargements). In a third section, the practical problems arising from plant realization such as enrichment units and outlying installations are briefly reviewed