Gas Centrifuge Isotope Separation

Nuclear Engineering

How It Works

A gas centrifuge separates uranium isotopes by spinning gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) at supersonic peripheral speeds (>300 m/s) inside an evacuated rotor casing. Centrifugal acceleration exceeding 100,000 g drives heavier ²³⁸UF₆ molecules toward the cylindrical rotor wall, leaving lighter ²³⁵UF₆ enriched along the central rotational axis.

Governing Equation
α = exp(((M_2 - M_1) · ω^2 · r^2) / (2 · R · T))