Proprietary & Proven Technology
ASP Isotopes has its origins in the South African Uranium Enrichment Program of the 1980s. We utilize two proprietary technologies for the enrichment of isotopes which have been developed over the last 20 years by our scientists:
Aerodynamic Separation Process (ASP)
The ASP separation device separates gas species and isotopes in a volatile state via an approximate flow pattern as shown below:
ASP is most suitable for the separation of gases with lower atomic mass.
The ASP enrichment process uses an aerodynamic technique similar to a stationary wall centrifuge. The isotope material in raw gas form enters the stationary tube at high speed by tangential injection through finely placed and sized openings in the surface of the tube. The gas then follows a flow pattern that results in two gas vortexes occurring around the geometrical axis of the separator.
The isotope material becomes separated in the radial dimension as a result of the spin speed of the isotope material reaching several hundred meters per second. An axial mass flow component in each tube feeds isotope material to the respective ends of the separator where collection of the portions of isotope material is accomplished.
Isotopes of interest: C-14, Si-28, Mo-100, Zn-68, Depl.Ge-73, Xe-129/136
Quantum Enrichment (QE)
Advanced isotope enrichment technique that uses lasers to selectively ionize and separate isotopes with high precision as shown below:
Quantum Enrichment is most efficient for the enrichment of elements that are in a solid form or are not easy to transform into gases.
The Quantum Enrichment process involves the use of heat to vaporize a metal and pass it through a laser beam. The laser is tuned to a specific wavelength that matches the energy required to remove an electron from the isotope, which ionizes the isotope of interest. The positively charged target isotope (e.g. light isotope) is then attracted to a negatively-charged collector plate and thus separated from the other isotope material. The precision of the laser system ensures that only the desired isotope is ionized and separated, improving the efficiency and purity of the enrichment process.
Isotopes of interest: Yb-176, Ni-64, Li-6, Li-7, U-235
Advantages of Our Technologies
Cost-Effective
Isotope enrichment facilities using our technology can be constructed at a fraction of capital cost and time vs. traditional isotope separation facilities.
Modular, Scalable Design
The plants can be small in footprint and modular in design, allowing for capacity expansion and growing demand.
Environmentally Friendly
Our enrichment plants are designed to harvest and enrich a natural mix of isotopes, producing zero waste (not radioactive or any other waste in any form).
Our Proprietary Technologies
Developed over the last 40 years
The ASP separation device separates gas species and isotopes in a volatile state.
Schematics and components of a modern ASP Plant.
Pilot plant and test bench equipment at our facility in South Africa.
Multi-isotope enrichment plant for use in the semiconductor and medical industries is expected to be commissioned in H2 2024).
Icelandic cluster – construction of multiple production lines in Iceland between 2025 and 2028.
1980's
2000's
2010's
2020's
2024
H2 2024
mid-2025
2025-2028
2nd Generation Technology – Silicon enrichment plant (2007) constructed using motor engines.
Oxygen enrichment plant – producing commercial quantities of enriched O2 for more than 4 years.
Carbon enrichment plant – commissioning of ASPI’s first industrial facility for production of C-14 in South Africa.
ASPI’s first laser plant (QE technology) for enrichment of medical isotopes is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
Our Proprietary Technologies
Developed over the last 40 years
The ASP separation device separates both gas species and isotopes in a volatile state via an approximate flow pattern as shown below.
2nd Generation Technology – Silicon enrichment plant (2007) constructed using motor engines.
Schematics and components of a modern ASP Plant.
Oxygen enrichment plant – producing commercial quantities of enriched O2 for >4 years.
Pilot plant and test bench equipment at our facility in South Africa.
Carbon enrichment plant – commissioning of ASPI’s first industrial facility for production of C-14 in South Africa.
Multi-isotope enrichment plant for use in the semiconductor and medical industries is expected to be commissioned in H2 2024).
ASPI’s first laser plant (QE technology) for enrichment of medical isotopes is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
Icelandic cluster – construction of multiple production lines in Iceland between 2025 and 2028.