Centrifuge Process of Uranium Enrichment:
Uranium Enrichment is used to increase U-235 concentration to the desired level.
- Natural uranium has 99.3% U-238 and 0.7% U-235. Nuclear reactors require 3–20% U-235, while nuclear weapons require about 90% U-235.
- Uranium enriched beyond 20% is considered as highly enriched.
- In this method, uranium is first converted into a gas called uranium hexafluoride (UF₆).
- UF₆ is the only gaseous form of uranium suitable for centrifuge separation.
- Uranium has two main isotopes U-238 (heavier) and U-235 (lighter and used in nuclear reactors/weapons), having a small mass difference of 1.27%.
- When the UF₆ gas is spun at very high speeds (around 50,000 rpm) inside a centrifuge, the heavier U-238 moves to the outer edge, and the lighter U-235 stays closer to the centre.
- This process is repeated across many centrifuges, gradually increasing the U-235 concentration in the final product.
- The centrifuge has a rotor chamber made from strong, lightweight material (like carbon fibre) to withstand extreme speeds and forces without breaking.
