Abstract: An apparatus for separating a gas mixture into a heavy component and a light component, especially for the enrichment of a gas mixture in uranium 235 in which the uranium isotopes are provided in the form of uranium hexafluoride, comprises a cascade of centrifuge stages each formed by a pair of spaced-apart disks surrounded by a housing and driven by a common shaft from a motor. The relatively narrow passage between each pair of disks opens into a greater space which cooperates with the gas along the periphery of the disk as held in place by the housing to form a boundary layer with the heavy component tending to diffuse out of the layer. Means is provided to collect the light component in the boundary layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separating of isotope fractions, especially for the concentration of uranium 238 and uranium 235, which comprises a plurality of disks rotatable about a common axis and having central supply regions at which gas mixtures can be introduced. Outwardly from these supply regions, each disk is formed with a radial passage communicating with a chamber and opening into the latter through a constriction. Light fractions are removed from the edges of the gas flow radially through the chamber while a heavy fraction is passed centrally through at least one further constriction and into another chamber. The light fractions from one disk are fed to the supply region of another disk while the heavy fractions can be collected and fed to the supply region of still a third disk. Alternatively, or in addition, the light fraction delivery channels and the heavy fraction delivery channels for at least two disks are interconnected.

Abstract: A gas mixture containing a heavy component and a light component, e.g. for the enrichment of the gas mixture in uranium 235 in which the uranium isotopes are provided in the form of uranium hexafluoride, comprises accelerating the gaseous mixture through a centrifuge in a radial direction and inducing the formation of turbulence along the outer periphery of the centrifuge. Because of the turbulent flow in this region, a boundary layer is formed along the outer periphery of the centrifuge and the heavy component tends to diffuse out of this boundary layer. The light fraction is collected from the boundary layer and conducted away.