Thermodynamic factors governing centrifugal separation of natural gas

The classical objection to using centrifugal gas separation industrially has arisen from the throughput restrictions associated with uranium isotopes. However the restrictions for lighter gas separations are much less severe. Pressure is no longer limited by desublimation to sub-atmospheric levels. Radial pressure gradients are a factor of 10(4) less so that overall higher throughputs may be obtained for a given sized unit. The wall pressures are further reduced if we allow for the fact that, prior to diffusive separation of components, the mass transfer associated with setting up the radial pressure gradient takes place under thermodynamically adiabatic conditions. This variation from the usual isothermal assumption enables higher throughputs.