$sup 18$O enrichment process in UO$sub 2$$F$$sub 2$ utilizing laser light
Photochemical reaction induced by laser light is employed to separate oxygen isotopes. A solution containing UO$sub 2$$F$$sub 2$, HF, H$sub 2$O and a large excess of CH$sub 3$OH is irradiated with laser light of appropriate wavelength to differentially excite the UO$sub 2$$sup 2+$ ions containing $sup 16$O atoms and cause a reaction to proceed in accordance with the reaction 2 UO$sub 2$$F$$sub 2$ + CH$sub 3$OH + 4 HF $Yields$ 2 UF$sub 4$ down arrow + HCOOH + 3 H$sub 2$O. Irradiation is discontinued when about 10 percent of the UO$sub 2$$F$$sub 2$ has reacted, the UF$sub 4$ is filtered from the reaction mixture and the residual CH$sub 3$OH and HF plus the product HCOOH and H$sub 2$O are distilled away from the UO$sub 2$$F$$sub 2$ which is thereby enriched in the $sup 18$O isotope, or the solution containing the UO$sub 2$$F$$sub 2$ may be photochemically processed again to provide further enrichment in the $sup 18$O isotope.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-026103
- Assignee:
- to U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration
- Patent Number(s):
- PAT-APPL-506,479.; US 3923619
- OSTI ID:
- 4024403
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1974 Sep 16; Other Information: B01J1/10. Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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