Silex Process
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SILEX is an acronym for Separation of Isotopes by Laser Excitation. [1]
The SILEX process is a uranium enrichment technology developed in Australia by Silex Systems Limited, a publicly listed high technology innovation company founded in 1988.
The process was invented by Dr Michael Goldsworthy and Dr Horst Struve.[2]
The SILEX process involves exposing a mixture of 235U and 238U isotopes to monochromatic laser light at a frequency that will induce ionisation in one isotope, but not the other. Passing the mixture through an electric field will then separate the isotopes into a product stream and a tailings stream.[3]
In November 1996 Silex Systems Limited signed an exclusive licence and development agreement for the application of SILEX technology to uranium enrichment with the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC).[4]
The company expected to conclude the second stage of testing in 2005 and begin building a pilot plant. The pilot plant will probably be built in the USA, giving effect to the 1996 agreement with USEC and avoiding any problems for Australia under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In 2004 Greenpeace produced a comprehensive report on the SILEX process titled Secrets, Lies and Uranium Enrichment. [5]
In 2006, Silex Systems limited signed a development agreement with US company General Electric as the sole developer of the technology.
[edit] References
- ^ Silex. Silex Systems Limited. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
- ^ Silex. Silex Systems Limited. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
- ^ Silex. Silex Systems Limited. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
- ^ Silex Systems Ltd. Sustainable Energy & Anti-Uranium Service Inc. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
- ^ Secrets, Lies and Uranium Enrichment. Greenpeace Australia Paciļ¬c Ltd (2004). Retrieved on 2006-10-15.
[edit] External links
- DOE classifies privately held info, Secrecy News 25 June 2001.
