Public Abstract

DE-SC0024916: Liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation of 7Li, 37Cl and D

Award Status: Active

Institution: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York (Morningside Campus), New York, NY
UEI: F4N1QNPB95M4
DUNS: 049179401

Most Recent Award Date: 07/02/2024
Number of Support Periods: 1
PM: Balkin, Ethan

Current Budget Period: 06/01/2024 - 05/31/2026
Current Project Period: 06/01/2024 - 05/31/2026
PI: Yang, Yuan

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation of 7Li, 37Cl and D Yuan Yang, Columbia University (Principal Investigator) Alex Halliday, Columbia University (Co-Investigator) This proposal aims to develop liquid centrifugation-based separation of isotopes, such as 7Li, 37Cl, and D. Liquid centrifugation is similar to gas centrifugation, but a liquid, such as LiCl aqueous solution, is used instead of a gas. The heavier and lighter isotopes will be enriched at the outer and the inner part of a centrifuge, respectively, due to their different masses. Unlike gas centrifugation, liquid centrifugation uses chemicals with low or no environmental/chemical hazards and corrosion. It is also capable of separating multiple elements simultaneously, such as D, 18O, 7Li, and 37Li together in a LiCl aqueous solution. The applicants have already validated this method experimentally and build preliminary models to understand controlling factors. This project will first develop an accurate model of liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation and cost, followed by identifying efficient and low-cost recipes of liquids for 7Li, 37Cl, and D, and building a lab-scale prototype to examine the models. Specific tasks include 1) Model development. We will develop a generic model based on the concentrated solution theory. Concentration and pressure-dependent diffusivity, activity coefficient, and other physical properties will be taken into account. We will also couple such a generic model with the countercurrent configuration, and examine how different driving forces affect countercurrent flow and isotope separation. In the economic model, we will calculate separative flux, and electricity consumption, and estimate initial capital cost, to provide guidance on the production cost of liquid centrifugation. 2) Identifying high-performance recipes for liquid centrifugation of D, 7Li, and 37Cl, including both salt solutions and neutral liquid chemicals. Concentration and temperature effects will be studied, and modeling results will be compared with experimental results to make sure that model and experimental results match. 3) Prototype designing. We plan to build a lab-scale low-speed centrifuge to validate models developed above. Effects such as concentration and countercurrent flows will be studied. The experimental results will be used to validate our models.

Liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation of 7Li, 37Cl and D
Yuan Yang, Columbia University (Principal Investigator)
Alex Halliday, Columbia University (Co-Investigator)

This proposal aims to develop liquid centrifugation-based separation of isotopes, such as 7Li, 37Cl, and D. Liquid centrifugation is similar to gas centrifugation, but a liquid, such as LiCl aqueous solution, is used instead of a gas. The heavier and lighter isotopes will be enriched at the outer and the inner part of a centrifuge, respectively, due to their different masses. Unlike gas centrifugation, liquid centrifugation uses chemicals with low or no environmental/chemical hazards and corrosion. It is also capable of separating multiple elements simultaneously, such as D, 18O, 7Li, and 37Li together in a LiCl aqueous solution. The applicants have already validated this method experimentally and build preliminary models to understand controlling factors.

This project will first develop an accurate model of liquid centrifugation-based isotope separation and cost, followed by identifying efficient and low-cost recipes of liquids for 7Li, 37Cl, and D, and building a lab-scale prototype to examine the models. Specific tasks include

1) Model development. We will develop a generic model based on the concentrated solution theory. Concentration and pressure-dependent diffusivity, activity coefficient, and other physical properties will be taken into account. We will also couple such a generic model with the countercurrent configuration, and examine how different driving forces affect countercurrent flow and isotope separation. In the economic model, we will calculate separative flux, and electricity consumption, and estimate initial capital cost, to provide guidance on the production cost of liquid centrifugation.

2) Identifying high-performance recipes for liquid centrifugation of D, 7Li, and 37Cl, including both salt solutions and neutral liquid chemicals. Concentration and temperature effects will be studied, and modeling results will be compared with experimental results to make sure that model and experimental results match.

3) Prototype designing. We plan to build a lab-scale low-speed centrifuge to validate models developed above. Effects such as concentration and countercurrent flows will be studied. The experimental results will be used to validate our models.