DEVICE FOR THE SEPARATION OF GAS MIXTURES

摘要

Pulses of ionized gas mixtures are generated periodically, to be entrained and accelerated inside a vessel in a predetermined direction by magnetic waves traveling transverse to the plasma motion. Phase coherence between the pulse train and the magnetic waves is maintained. The forces exerted by the magnetic waves cause the ion mixture of each pulse packet to be sorted into several separate packets in some of which the original concentration of a specific ion has been greatly increased or decreased. The waves then drive each packet into a separate branch of the vessel for recovery. The distance between these branches depends on the timing of the mixed pulse relative to the crest of the magnetic waves, on ion mass-to-charge differences, and on the intensity of the magnetic field. The separation efficiency may be enhanced by reducing the intensity of the magnetic field, by raising its frequency, and by shortening the mixed plasma packets while increasing their density. The traveling magnetic waves are generated by a chain of inductively coupled solenoids, excited in staggered phase relationship.