Aspects of uranium chemistry pertaining to UF{sub 6} cylinder handling
- Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Under normal conditions, the bulk of UF{sub 6} in storage cylinders will be in the solid state with an overpressure of gaseous UF{sub 6} well below one atmosphere. Corrosion of the interior of the cylinder will be very slow, with formation of a small amount of reduced fluoride, probably U{sub 2}F{sub 9}. The UO{sub 3}-HF-H{sub 2}O phase diagram indicates that reaction of any inleaking water vapor with the solid UF{sub 6} will generate the solid material [H{sub 3}O]{sub 2}(U(OH){sub 4}F{sub 4}) in equilibrium with an aqueous HF solution containing only small amounts of uranium. The corrosion of the steel cylinder by these materials may be enhanced over that observed with gaseous anhydrous UF{sub 6}.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76OR00001
- OSTI ID:
- 139610
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9110117--; ON: DE92005283
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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