Instrument Controller Monitoring Uranium Enrichment Processes for 25 Years

Amongst other things, uranium is used as fuel for nuclear power stations. After mining, the uranium must be enriched so that there is a sufficient concentration of the radioactive isotope uranium 238 (U-238).

Urenco offers uranium enrichment services across many industries around the world. The natural uranium or uranium hexafluoride is enriched using centrifuge technology whereby it is spun under a force stronger than gravity to separate the uranium isotopes by mass.

Generally, uranium hexafluoride (UF6) contains uranium-235 (U-235) and U-238. U-235 is lighter than U-238, so when segregated by mass, gravitates towards the outer walls of the centrifuge where it is collected, leaving hydrogen fluoride (HF) and U-238. In most enrichment processes, centrifuges are chained together, forming cascades. By repeating this process through the cascade, a highly enriched U-235 sample is generated.

HF can be extremely hazardous to human health, so handling, storage and disposal are highly controlled.

Urenco has been using Pi’s CRIUS controller for 25 years to monitor and control the HF present in the process. It also acts a safety measure to detect HF leaks. The CRIUS®4.0 controller also has alarms that can be setup to alert the operator of any potential issues with the system. 

Pi’s service engineer Jonathan recently carried out a service visit and said:

“The system is still running just as well as it was when it was first installed in 1999!”

This is just one example of the robust and reliable nature of Pi’s products. The system is working in optimal condition a quarter of a century after installation. Click here to watch a short, animated video about Pi’s instrument controllers. For any further information, you can contact us here.