Combined Processes of Separation of Isotopes of Light Elements: History and Near-Term Outlook

Variants of combined technologies for separating isotopes of light chemical elements, using both thermodynamically reversible and irreversible separation methods, are considered from a historical point of view. The main criteria for assessing the efficiency of combining different isotope separation processes are indicated. Based on the specified criteria, a number of problems of obtaining highly enriched carbon-13 and boron-10 isotopes are analyzed.