Isotope separation facilities in the United States

Isotope separation facilities in the United States are specialized facilities designed for the separation and enrichment of isotopes, which are variants of chemical elements that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This process is particularly important for various applications, including nuclear energy, medical diagnostics, and scientific research. Key points about isotope separation facilities in the U.S.

The isotope separation facilities of the Manhattan Project were critical components of the United States' efforts during World War II to develop atomic weapons. The project involved the enrichment of uranium-235 (U-235) from natural uranium, which primarily contains uranium-238 (U-238), as well as the production of plutonium-239 (Pu-239) from uranium.

The Honeywell Uranium Hexafluoride Processing Facility, located in Metropolis, Illinois, is a facility primarily involved in the production of uranium hexafluoride (UF6). Uranium hexafluoride is a critical material used in the uranium enrichment process, which is necessary for producing fuel for nuclear reactors and for other applications in the nuclear industry.

K-25 was a significant facility in the history of the Manhattan Project, which was the United States' World War II effort to develop atomic weapons. Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, K-25 was a large factory built for the purpose of uranium enrichment, specifically using the gaseous diffusion process. Constructed in the early 1940s, K-25 was one of the largest buildings in the world at the time, covering over 1 million square feet.

The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) is a facility located in Paducah, Kentucky, that was primarily used for the enrichment of uranium for use in nuclear fuel. The plant was established in the early 1950s as part of the United States' efforts to enhance its nuclear capabilities during the Cold War. It was one of the few gaseous diffusion plants in the United States and operated by the U.S.

The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) is a facility located in Piketon, Ohio, that was used for the enrichment of uranium, which is a key process in the production of fuel for nuclear reactors and for nuclear weapons. The plant was part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) uranium enrichment program and primarily operated from the 1950s until its closure in 2001.