Gas centrifuge

Uranium enrichment technology that uses many rotating cylinders that are connected in long lines to increase the concentration of uranium-235. Gas is placed in the cylinder, which spins at a high speed, creating a strong centrifugal force. Heavier gas molecules move to the cylinder wall, while lighter molecules collect near the center. The stream, slightly enriched, is fed into the next cylinder. The depleted stream is recycled back into the previous cylinder. For additional information on facilities that were licensed but not yet operational, see Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Facility Licensing. The Fact Sheet on Uranium Enrichment provides additional information on the process.