Process gas solidification system
- Oak Ridge, TN
It has been the practice to (a) withdraw hot, liquid UF.sub.6 from various systems, (b) direct the UF.sub.6 into storage cylinders, and (c) transport the filled cylinders to another area where the UF.sub.6 is permitted to solidify by natural cooling. However, some hazard attends the movement of cylinders containing liquid UF.sub.6, which is dense, toxic, and corrosive. As illustrated in terms of one of its applications, the invention is directed to withdrawing hot liquid UF.sub.6 from a system including (a) a compressor for increasing the pressure and temperature of a stream of gaseous UF.sub.6 to above its triple point and (b) a condenser for liquefying the compressed gas. A network containing block valves and at least first and second portable storage cylinders is connected between the outlet of the condenser and the suction inlet of the compressor. After an increment of liquid UF.sub.6 from the condenser has been admitted to the first cylinder, the cylinder is connected to the suction of the compressor to flash off UF.sub.6 from the cylinder, thus gradually solidifying UF.sub.6 therein. While the first cylinder is being cooled in this manner, an increment of liquid UF.sub.6 from the condenser is transferred into the second cylinder. UF.sub.6 then is flashed from the second cylinder while another increment of liquid UF.sub.6 is being fed to the first. The operations are repeated until both cylinders are filled with solid UF.sub.6, after which they can be moved safely. As compared with the previous technique, this procedure is safer, faster, and more economical. The method also provides the additional advantage of removing volatile impurities from the UF.sub.6 while it is being cooled.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4115073
- OSTI ID:
- 863183
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
gas
solidification
practice
withdraw
hot
liquid
various
systems
direct
storage
cylinders
transport
filled
permitted
solidify
natural
cooling
hazard
attends
movement
containing
dense
toxic
corrosive
illustrated
terms
applications
directed
withdrawing
including
compressor
increasing
pressure
temperature
stream
gaseous
triple
condenser
liquefying
compressed
network
block
valves
portable
connected
outlet
suction
inlet
increment
admitted
cylinder
flash
gradually
solidifying
therein
cooled
manner
transferred
flashed
fed
operations
repeated
solid
moved
safely
compared
previous
technique
procedure
safer
faster
economical
method
provides
additional
advantage
removing
volatile
impurities
additional advantage
compressed gas
process gas
hot liquid
removing volatile
storage cylinders
containing liquid
storage cylinder
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