Centrifuge

Centrifuge Latest News

Iran’s uranium enrichment program has drawn global attention, with thousands of advanced centrifuges being deployed.

Why in the News?

• Centrifuges play a crucial role in uranium enrichment, which is necessary for nuclear powergeneration and weapons development.
• Natural uranium contains 99.3% U-238 and only 0.7% U-235. Since only U-235 is fissile, it must be enriched for use in reactors and weapons.
• Nuclear power reactors require uranium with 3-20% U-235, while nuclear weapons need 90% enrichment.
• Iran’s uranium enrichment program has drawn global attention, with thousands of advanced centrifuges being deployed.

What is a Centrifuge?

• A centrifuge is a device that separates substances based on density using centrifugal force.
• Used extensively in scientific research, medical applications, and nuclear technology.

How Centrifuges Work in Uranium Enrichment

• Uranium conversion: Uranium is converted into uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) gas.
• Centrifugation process: UF₆ gas is introduced into high-speed centrifuges spinning at 50,000 RPM (revolutions per minute).
  • Heavier U-238 isotopes move outward, while lighter U-235 isotopes concentrate towards the center.
• Gradual Enrichment: The U-235-rich fraction is transferred to additional centrifuges to increase purity further.
  • Over multiple separation stages, uranium is enriched to the desired levels.

Key Components of a Centrifuge

• Rotor: The spinning component that creates centrifugal force.
• Chamber: Holds the uranium gas for separation.
• Material: Typically made of carbon fiber or other lightweight yet strong materials to withstand high speeds.

Centrifuge FAQs

Q1. What is a centrifuge?
Ans. A centrifuge is a device that uses rotational force to separate components of a mixture based on density.

Q2. What are the uses of centrifuges?
Ans. They are used in medical labs, industrial processing, nuclear enrichment, and space research.

Q3. How are centrifuges used in nuclear technology?
Ans. They enrich uranium by separating uranium-235 from uranium-238 for nuclear reactors or weapons.

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Q4. What is the difference between gas and ultracentrifuges?
Ans. Gas centrifuges are used for nuclear enrichment, while ultracentrifuges are used for high-speed separation in biological and chemical research.

Source: TH