Comparison of the Performance of the Optimized Squared-Off and Match Abundance Ratio Cascades to Separate Lightest and Heaviest Molybdenum Isotopes to 99.99%.

The performance of the optimized three-section squared-off cascade is compared with that of a match abundance ratio cascade (MARC) for the enrichment of 92Mo and 100Mo isotopes from their natural composition to 99.99%. Two codes, namely, 3SQC–PSO and MARC–PSO, are developed for optimizing 200 centrifuge cascades using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The objective function is to maximize the cascade capacity, recovery factor, and the D-function and to minimize the total interstage flow. A comparison of the results shows that a MARC is able to enrich 100Mo with the highest recovery and production capacity. Due to the fact that more than one separation step is required for the separation of 92Mo, a MARC is beyond the capability to separate it to 99.99%, but a squared-off cascade is capable of making this. Therefore, if the goal is the separation of all or some of isotopes of an element, the squared-off cascade is the preferred option for economical industrialization and reducing installation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]