The Optimal Axis-Symmetrical Plasma Potential Distribution for Plasma Mass Separation

Abstract

The mass separation of chemical element mixtures is a relevant task for numerous applications in the nuclear power industry. One of the promising approaches to solve this problem is plasma mass separation. In a recent study, the efficiency of plasma mass separation in a configuration with a potential well and a homogeneous magnetic field was experimentally demonstrated. This article examines the possibility of increasing the distance between the deposition regions of charged particles with different masses by varying the profile of the electric field potential. Such correlation can be considered as the control in a system of active particles. A cylindrical coordinate system is used. The electric field is axially symmetrical, and the magnetic field is directed along the axis of the symmetry. The corresponding mathematical problem was solved in a general way. The criteria for increasing the distance between the deposition areas of the “light” and “heavy” components of the mixture have been formulated. A high sensitivity of particle trajectories to the electric field potential in the region of the pericentres of the trajectories of charged particles was detected. Recommendations for the practical implementation of the optimal spatial separation of ion fluxes are proposed.

Particle-in-cell simulation of a cylindrical plasma mass separator based on Penning discharge with thermionic cathodes

“…Another way is to change the shape of the spatial distribution of plasma potential, so as to reduce the sensitivity of the separated particle trajectories to fluctuations. For example, in the [9], it has been shown that the most sensitive area of the trajectories are the pericentral regions. This is part of the trajectory closest to the axis of the system.…”

“…Plasma separation methods, despite a long history of development [1][2][3][4], have recently attracted much interest [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. There are three main applications of plasma separation: reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel [12][13][14], reprocessing of radioactive waste [15,16], and recycling of rare earth elements [8].…”