Quote:
Originally Posted by rifleman13
How many centrifuges does it take for an Iranian to enrich uranium for nuclear power production? :hmm:
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Well that is the question. This is why nuclear analysts are bemused at the hoopla about the number of centrifuges.
The number of centrifuges means precisely dick when trying to figure out whether a nuclear program is for reactor fuel or for weapon elements.
What is important is the cascade arrangement. A cascade is a group of centrifuges interconnected in a specific manner. Groups of cascades are then connected with other cascades depending on what enrichment levels you want. It is important to note that any operational configuration of cascades will allow you to enrich uranium to what ever level you need. It is just that specific cascade configurations are vastly more efficient at specific enrichment levels.
Enrichment of uranium is dependent on what is called a Separative Work Unit. Don't even try to understand SWU's as it will drive you insane. Just understand that it is a relative measure of the "effectiveness" of an enrichment process, in this case Centrifuges. Different configurations of cascades have different SWU values.
How many centrifuges does it take to enrich 235U to 92% (weapons grade)?
Only one. But it will take megayears to enrich it. This is why multiple centrifuges arranged in specific cascade configurations are used to drastically shorten the time of enrichment. The more times you put your UF6 through the process the more enriched it will get. Enrichment is on a log. curve. Lower enrichments are pretty easy but that last few percentages to get to 92% can be a bitch.
Larger numbers of cascades allows you to enrich uranium faster than with lower number cascades. Whether you are enriching uranium to lower levels or higher levels is less dependent on the number of cascades but more dependent on how they are connected.
There is no number of centrifuges that will indicate a weapons program vice a energy program. We can’t say, Hey once you go over 10,000 centrifuges you must be in a weapons program. Not true. Be real nice if it were true.
So don’t get “spun up” <snicker> on the number of centrifuges. The IAEA is still inspecting the cascade farms and have found nothing contraindicating enrichment to low levels (Low being defined as <20% 235U).
One more thing. Possessing 6,000 centrifuges is not the same as being able to maintain operation of same. These types of centrifuges are very very hard to keep running. They are picky about their environment. Until the IAEA tells us that the Iranians have 6,000 centrifuges running with UF6. I am taking the announcement with a large grain of green salt.
