Editing Enriched uranium (section)

====Aerodynamic processes====
[[File:Aerodynamic enrichment nozzle.svg|thumb|Schematic diagram of an aerodynamic nozzle. Many thousands of these small foils would be combined in an enrichment unit.]]
[[File:LIGA-Doppelumlenksystem.jpg|right|thumb| The X-ray-based [[LIGA]] manufacturing process was originally developed at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Germany, to produce nozzles for isotope enrichment.<ref name=Becker-1982>{{Cite journal | last1=Becker |first1=E. W. | last2=Ehrfeld | first2=W. | last3=Münchmeyer | first3=D. | last4=Betz | first4=H. | last5=Heuberger | first5=A. | last6=Pongratz | first6=S. | last7=Glashauser | first7=W. | last8=Michel | first8=H. J. | last9=Siemens | first9=R. | title=Production of Separation-Nozzle Systems for Uranium Enrichment by a Combination of X-Ray Lithography and Galvanoplastics | journal=Naturwissenschaften | volume=69 | pages=520–523 | year=1982 | doi=10.1007/BF00463495 | issue=11 | bibcode=1982NW.....69..520B | s2cid=44245091 }}</ref>]]
Aerodynamic enrichment processes include the Becker jet nozzle techniques developed by E. W. Becker and associates using the [[LIGA]] process and the [[vortex tube]] separation process. These [[aerodynamic]] separation processes depend upon diffusion driven by pressure gradients, as does the gas centrifuge. They in general have the disadvantage of requiring complex systems of cascading of individual separating elements to minimize energy consumption. In effect, aerodynamic processes can be considered as non-rotating centrifuges. Enhancement of the centrifugal forces is achieved by dilution of [[Uranium hexafluoride|UF<sub>6</sub>]] with [[hydrogen]] or [[helium]] as a carrier gas achieving a much higher flow velocity for the gas than could be obtained using pure uranium hexafluoride. The [[NECSA|Uranium Enrichment Corporation of South Africa]] (UCOR) developed and deployed the continuous Helikon vortex separation cascade for high production rate low-enrichment and the substantially different semi-batch Pelsakon low production rate high enrichment cascade both using a particular vortex tube separator design, and both embodied in industrial plant.<ref name="The Pelsakon Cascade for Uranium Enrichment">{{cite journal|last=Smith|first=Michael|author2=Jackson A G M|title=Dr|journal=South African Institution of Chemical Engineers – Conference 2000|year=2000|pages=280–289}}</ref> A demonstration plant was built in Brazil by NUCLEI, a consortium led by [[Industrias Nucleares do Brasil]] that used the separation nozzle process. All methods have high energy consumption and substantial requirements for removal of waste heat; none is currently still in use.