Zinc isotopes have various applications, from the medical field as precursors of medical radioisotopes Cu67 and Ga68, to the industrial world where zinc depleted in Zn64 is used to limit corrosion in the cooling system of nuclear reactors. These applications require a high enrichment level, a very high chemical purity and a reliable and thorough supply chain.
The Solution
With its gas centrifugation isotope separation process, using state-of-the-art centrifuges, Orano Stable Isotopes is able to enrich zinc up to 99,99%, for each one of its 5 natural isotopes (64, 66, 67, 68 and 70) Orano offers a reliable, proven and efficient solution for zinc enrichment.
This solution is completed with deconversion services in the chemical form required.
Expertise & Experiences
The stable isotopes production uses technologies and know-how developed for uranium over the past 60 years. With its 1900 employees, an R&D center with about 50 experts, and state-of-the-art industrial tools (the Philippe Coste plant for fluorine chemistry, the George Besse II factories using the most advanced centrifugation technology), the Tricastin site has naturally been chosen to host Orano’s stable isotopes production, which benefits from all the advantages provided by this industrial platform.