Separative performance in a vacuum arc centrifuge

In this paper, the variation of isotope concentration along a vacuum arc centrifuge is investigated for a two species plasma. Using the fluid equations of motion for both isotope species, together with continuity, the spatial dependence of the isotope concentration and separation factor is numerically solved. As well as comparison with experimental data detailing the spatial evolution of the separation profile for a Cu/Ni plasma, the important physical processes occurring in the plasma column as separation takes place are identified.