Mass Separation by Electromagnetic Centrifugation in the Continuum Regime<!--EndFragment -->

In this talk, we demonstrate mass separation within gaseous and solid feedstocks in an inductively coupled plasma electromagnetic centrifuge (ICP-EMC) and derive experimentally relevant scaling relations for potential use in meeting the demand for critical materials, which are necessary for the development of green technologies. The device leverages ExB rotation acting on the broken-down feedstock passing through the ICP discharge. Through collisions, the momentum of the charged components transfers to their neutral neighbors to establish a bulk azimuthal fluid velocity, resulting in a radial concentration gradient based on mass differences. Experimental work focuses on developing and characterizing the ICP-EMC using gaseous mixtures of argon and nitrogen and solid particulates in a low-vacuum (0.1-1 Torr) regime. In a single-component argon gas, the relationship between DC current and rotational velocity is explored for measured azimuthal velocities exceeding 100 m/s and extrapolated to greater than 500 m/s. In a gaseous mixture of argon and nitrogen, we prove the ICP-EMC as a means of separating species by mass through centrifugation. Furthermore, using a time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometer, the separation of a solid feedstock is shown and is compared against our extrapolation model. Finally, a techno-economic analysis of the ICP-EMC technology is used to compare its viability against current chemical methods and similar devices such as rotary centrifuges and mass spectrometers.