Plutonium dissolution process
A two-step process is described for dissolving plutonium metal, which two steps can be carried out sequentially or simultaneously. Plutonium metal is exposed to a first mixture containing approximately 1.0M--1.67M sulfamic acid and 0.0025M--0.1M fluoride, the mixture having been heated to a temperature between 45 C and 70 C. The mixture will dissolve a first portion of the plutonium metal but leave a portion of the plutonium in an oxide residue. Then, a mineral acid and additional fluoride are added to dissolve the residue. Alteratively, nitric acid in a concentration between approximately 0.05M and 0.067M is added to the first mixture to dissolve the residue as it is produced. Hydrogen released during the dissolution process is diluted with nitrogen. 2 figs.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5,482,688/A/
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-193,380; TRN: 96:006140
- OSTI ID:
- 170439
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 9 Jan 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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