Online monitoring the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride for intermediates by cryogenic layering and FTIR

McNamara, Louis E.; Kelly, John T.; Waldron, Abigail M.; Villa-Aleman, Eliel; Strange Fessler, K. Alicia

doi:10.3389/fnuen.2023.1300544

Online monitoring the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride for intermediates by cryogenic layering and FTIR

Journal Article · Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnuen.2023.1300544· OSTI ID:2404371

McNamara, Louis E. ^[1]; Kelly, John T. ^[1]; Waldron, Abigail M. ^[1]; Villa-Aleman, Eliel ^[1]; Strange Fessler, K. Alicia ^[1]

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC (United States)

Uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) is a commonly utilized material feedstock in uranium enrichment processes due to its high vapor pressure and ease of sublimation. When exposed to air, UF₆ undergoes spontaneous hydrolysis to form uranyl fluoride (UO₂F₂) particulates which are utilized for the detection of undeclared nuclear activities by nuclear safeguards organizations. In this study, the kinetics of the hydrolysis reaction and how they relate to particle morphology of the product are still debated in the literature. Here, we report the direct, in situ observation of UF₆ reaction intermediates by cooling the reaction to cryogenic temperatures to significantly reduce the rate of hydrolysis. The reaction is then observable by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The conversion of UF₆ to UOF₄ is observed as well as several other bands associated with possible long lived intermediate complexes. Chemometrics are used to further elucidate the reaction pathway from UF₆ to UO₂F₂.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation; USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89303321CEM000080

OSTI ID:: 2404371

Report Number(s):: SRNL--STI-2023-00440

Journal Information:: Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering, Journal Name: Frontiers in Nuclear Engineering Vol. 2; ISSN 2813-3412

Publisher:: Frontiers Media S.A.Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
Uranium hexafluoride
cryogenic
hydrolysis
reaction kinetics

Online monitoring the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride for intermediates by cryogenic layering and FTIR

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