Proprietary & Proven Technology
Proven technology
The technology
ASP has its origins in the South African uranium enrichment program in the 1980s and the ASP technology has been developed during the last 18 years by our scientists. ASP technology has demonstrated efficacy and commercial scalability in the enrichment of oxygen-18 and silicon-28.
The ASP separation device separates both gas species and isotopes in a volatile state via an approximate flow pattern as shown below:
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 the collection of the portions of isotope material is accomplished.
advantages of ASP technology:
- No moving parts, with low capital and operating costs in comparison to alternatives
- Compact in size and weight
- Easily scaled to industrial level with number of separation devices added in parallel
- The separation process occurs inside a closed cylindrical container and is a volume technology, i.e., the process efficiency is not affected by poisoning of surface contaminates as is the case for surface separation processes
- ASP operates very efficiently at molecular masses below 100 atomic mass units, unlike other separation processes which are more efficient higher masses, which ASP can achieve equally well or to a superior degree
- ASP easily separates hydrogen gas from other gas components, e.g., harvesting hydrogen gas from carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and altering the ratio of syngas mixture
- With the right material choice ASP handles even the most corrosive gases
- ASP can separate any isotopes that have a gaseous or volatile chemical compound
- Most of the subsystems are procured from off-the-shelf components
- An ASP plant can be constructed in any country that adheres to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protocols for the protection of dual use technology
The Aerodynamic Separation Process
Developed over the last 40 Years
The ASP separation device separates both 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.
1980's
2000's
2010's
2020's
2nd Generation Technology – Silicon enrichment plant (2007) constructed using motor engines
Oxygen enrichment plant – producing commercial quantities of enriched O2 for >4 years.
The Aerodynamic Separation Process
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.
Aerodynamic Separation Process
Commercially viable method of separating isotopes
ASP can enrich many isotopes that either cannot be enriched using other currently available methods or allows for superior enrichment with lower costs or environmental benefits.
Heavy Oxygen Plant using ASP Technology. Commercially Operational since 2015. Producing 38 Kg/ annum of 97% enriched Oxygen-18
- Allows for the enrichment of isotopes with a low atomic mass (e.g. <100 amu). These isotopes do not lend themselves well to being separated or enriched in a large-scale centrifuge
- Allows for enrichment at a small scale which results in a smaller footprint and considerably lower capital cost. Consequently, the process is suited to the enrichment of low volume, high value isotopes for use in specialized environments
- Is modular which allows for inexpensive and quick capacity increases as demand dictates
- Uses comparable amounts of energy compared to laser enabled approaches
- The only moving part in the entire ASP process are the compressor rotors