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Separation of isotopes by laser excitation (SILEX) is a process for isotope separation that is used to produce enriched uranium using lasers. It was developed in the 1990s, based on earlier technologies.〔 == History == The SILEX process was developed in Australia by Dr. Michael Goldsworthy and Dr. Horst Struve, working at Silex Systems Limited, a company founded in 1988.〔 Their process was based on earlier methods of laser enrichment developed starting in the early 1970s, such as AVLIS (atomic vapor laser isotope separation) and MLIS (molecular laser isotope separation). In November 1996 Silex Systems Limited licensed its technology exclusively to United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) for uranium enrichment. Silex Systems concluded the second stage of testing in 2005 and began its Test Loop Program. In 2007, Silex Systems signed an exclusive commercialization and licensing agreement with General Electric Corporation. The Test Loop Program was transferred to GE's facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Also in 2007, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) signed letters of intent for uranium enrichment services with Exelon and Entergy - the two largest nuclear power utilities in the USA. In 2008, GEH spun off Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) to commercialise the SILEX Technology and announced the first potential commercial uranium enrichment facility using the Silex process. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a license amendment allowing GLE to operate the Test Loop. Also in 2008, Cameco Corporation, the world’s largest uranium producer, joined GE and Hitachi as a part owner of GLE. In 2010, concerns were raised that the SILEX process poses a threat to global nuclear security. Compared to current enrichment technologies, the SILEX process requires as little as 25% of the space and consumes considerably less energy. It is reportedly almost undetectable from orbit, potentially allowing rogue governments' activities to go undetected by the international community. In August 2011, GLE applied to the NRC for a permit to build a commercial plant at Wilmington, which would enrich uranium to a maximum of 8% 235U. On September 19, 2012, the NRC made its initial decision on GLE's application, and granted the requested permit.〔 Nuclear Regulatory Commission announcement |date=2012-09-19| http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1226/ML12263A046.pdf〕 Silex has completed its phase I test loop program at GE-Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment’s (GLE) facility in North Carolina. The commercial plant's target enrichment level will be 8 percent, which puts it on the upper end of low-enriched uranium. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Separation of isotopes by laser excitation」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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