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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

PROCESSING THORIUM-BISMUTH AND THORIUM-LEAD COMPOUNDS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4013137

A method for recovering entrapped U from solid ThBi or Th-- Pb intermetallic compounds is described which does not require temperatures as high as 1000 deg C and which can be carried out remotely. The method comprises dispersing the intermetallic compound in liquid Bi and/or Pb, changing the temperature and/or liquid metal composition to convert the intermetallic compound into another intermetallic compound, and separating the U-containing liquid phase from the solid phase. The method is discussed with reference to the Bi--Pb--Th phase diagram. An example of the method is given in which /sup 233/U was separated from irradiated ThBi/sub 2/. (D.L.C.)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-020118
Assignee:
Dow Chemical Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3130042
OSTI ID:
4013137
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English