Thermal plasma reduction of UF{sub 6}
- Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States); and others
This paper describes the experimental demonstration of a process for the direct plasma reduction of depleted uranium hexafluoride to uranium metal. The process exploits the large departures from equilibrium that can be achieved in the rapid supersonic expansion of a totally dissociated and partially ionized mixture of UF{sub 6}, Ar, He, and H{sub 2}. The process is based on the rapid condensation of subcooled uranium vapor and the relatively slow rate of back reaction between metallic uranium and HF to F{sub 2} to reform stable fluorides. The high translational velocities and rapid cooling result in an overpopulation of atomic hydrogen which persists throughout the expansion process. Atomic hydrogen shifts the equilibrium composition by inhibiting the reformation of uranium-fluorine compounds. This process has the potential to reduce the cost of reducing UF{sub 6} to uranium metal with the added benefit of being a virtually waste free process. The dry HF produced is a commodity which has industrial value.
- Research Organization:
- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; American Physical Society, New York, NY (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-94ID13223
- OSTI ID:
- 223698
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950875-Vol.2; TRN: 96:002546-0021
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 12. international symposium on plasma chemistry, Minneapolis, MN (United States), 21-25 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 12th International symposium on plasma chemistry. Proceedings, Volume 2; Heberlein, J.V.; Ernie, D.W.; Roberts, E.D. [eds.] [Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis, MN (United States)]; PB: 615 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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