INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The gas centrifuge normally consists of a thin-walled cylinder(s) of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in) diameter contained in a vacuum environment and spun at high peripheral speed of the order of 300 m/s or more with its central axis vertical. In order to achieve high speed the materials of construction for the rotating components have to be of a high strength to density ratio and the rotor assembly, and hence its individual components, have to be manufactured to very close tolerances in order to minimize the unbalance. In contrast to other centrifuges, the gas centrifuge for uranium enrichment is characterized by having within the rotor chamber a rotating disc-shaped baffle(s) and a stationary tube arrangement for feeding and extracting the UF6 gas and featuring at least 3 separate channels, of which 2 are connected to scoops extending from the rotor axis towards the periphery of the rotor chamber. Also contained within the vacuum environment are a number of critical items which do not rotate and which although they are especially designed are not difficult to fabricate nor are they fabricated out of unique materials. A centrifuge facility however requires a large number of these components, so that quantities can provide an important indication of end use.
Thanks for the detailed description. I intend to download the pdf document.
The document is most instructive to say the least. I had raved on in some of the Iranian posts that fabricating a very large gas centrifuge cascaded system was no easy task. And it in essence required extremely tight monitoring, which included a stages that would demand automation. I have not finished the document yet, but it attend to. Not to intend to deviate from this post. Just am one that understands one does'nt easily extract sufficient quantities of 90% plus enriched uranium from throwing a few kitchen blenders together. The facilities is loaded with all kinds and periphery equipement and very special type baffling/tubing arrangments, sensor systems, very tight AC controlled power supplies to maintain tight rpm ranges on the rotating parts, etc.. In short, a huge undertaking to create a fully operational/reliable system.