Note: In the plasma separation process, a plasma of uranium ions passes through an electric field tuned to the235U ion resonance frequency so that they preferentially absorb energy and increase the diameter of their corkscrew-like orbits. Ions with a large-diameter path are trapped to produce a product enriched in 235U. The plasma, made by ionizing uranium vapor, is contained in a vacuum chamber with a high-strength magnetic field produced by a superconducting magnet. The main technological systems of the process include the uranium plasma generation system, the separator module with superconducting magnet, and metal removal systems for the collection of “product” and “tails.”
(1) Microwave power sources and antennae.
Especially designed or prepared microwave power sources and antennae for producing or accelerating ions having the following characteristics: Greater than 30 GHz frequency and greater than 50 kW mean power output for ion production.
(2) Ion excitation coils.
Especially designed or prepared radio frequency ion excitation coils for frequencies of more than 100 kHz and capable of handling more than 40 kW mean power.
(3) Uranium plasma generation systems.
Especially designed or prepared systems for the generation of uranium plasma for use in plasma separation plants.
(4) Uranium metal “product” and “tails” collector assemblies.
Especially designed or prepared “product” and “tails” collector assemblies for uranium metal in solid form. These collector assemblies are made of, or protected by, materials resistant to the heat and corrosion of uranium metal vapor, such as yttria-coated graphite or tantalum.
(5) Separator module housings.
Especially designed or prepared cylindrical vessels for use in plasma separation enrichment plants for containing the uranium plasma source, radio-frequency drive coil, and the “product” and “tails” collectors.
These housings have a multiplicity of ports for electrical feed-throughs, diffusion pump connections, and instrumentation diagnostics and monitoring. They have provisions for opening and closure to allow for refurbishment of internal components and are constructed of a suitable non-magnetic material such as stainless steel.
(6) Any other components especially designed or prepared for use in a plasma separation enrichment plant or in any of the components described in this appendix.
[79 FR 39297, July 10, 2014]
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