Scrap uranium recycling via electron beam melting

Conference · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:10123631

McKoon, R

A program is underway at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to recycle scrap uranium metal. Currently, much of the material from forging and machining processes is considered radioactive waste and is disposed of by oxidation and encapsulation at significant cost. In the recycling process, uranium and uranium alloys in various forms will be processed by electron beam melting and continuously cast into ingots meeting applicable specifications for virgin material. Existing vacuum processing facilities at LLNL are in compliance with all current federal and state environmental, safety and health regulations for the electron beam melting and vaporization of uranium metal. One of these facilities has been retrofitted with an auxiliary electron beam gun system, water-cooled hearth, crucible and ingot puller to create an electron beam melt furnace. In this furnace, basic process R&D on uranium recycling will be performed with the goal of eventual transfer of this technology to a production facility.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 10123631
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-114578; CONF-9311151-2; ON: DE94006725; TRN: 94:004553
• Resource Relation: Conference: 1993 electron beam melting and refining state of the art,Reno, NV (United States),5 Nov 1993; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
URANIUM
RECYCLING
URANIUM ALLOYS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
ELECTRON BEAM FURNACES
SCRAP METALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
320305
052001
INDUSTRIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING