Evaluation of specific cost of obtainment of lead-208 isotope by gas centrifuges using various raw materials

Abstract

Evaluations of the specific cost of producing by gas centrifuges highly enriched 208Pb isotope, which may be used as a coolant and a neutron reflector in promising fast neutron reactors, have been carried out. The methodology originally developed for column type separation elements was applied in the calcula- tions. As raw materials, a mixture of natural lead isotopes and radiogenic lead were considered. In the latter case which the content of the target isotope is nearly 1.5 times greater than in a former one. The price limit for the cost of radiogenic lead was established, up to which lower specific cost of producing highly enriched 208Pb isotope were achieved compared to the natural isotopic mixture. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2012.