AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE FUSION OF IGNITED PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE

Technical Report · Fri Feb 24 04:00:00 EST 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4117476· OSTI ID:4117476

Crocker, H W

An ammonium bifluoride fusion process for plutonium recovery from ignited (1000 deg C) plutonium dioxide was developed. The fusion mass can be readily taken up in aluminum nitrate solution. Results of these studies show an average plutonium recovery of 95 percent in the final aqueous solution. The fusion method has a short time cycle (three hours), utilizes small aqueous solution volumes (one liter ANN per 35 grams of original PuO/sub 2/), and the plutonium product solution in aluminum nitrate is suitable for direct blending into the existing Recuplex system. In addition, the only off-gas handling equipment required is a small water scrubber. It is recommended that the method be given further testing in a plant-scale production test. The method also has application for plutonium recovery from incinerator ash, and for plutonium metal or skulls which have previously been converted to plutonium dioxide by steam oxidation or controlled burning. Direct fusion of metal or skulls may be possible, but the uncertain reactivity of these materials may make this approach undesirable. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-52
• NSA Number: NSA-18-012254
• OSTI ID: 4117476
• Report Number(s): HW-68655
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM NITRATES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COMBUSTION
CONFIGURATION
EFFICIENCY
EXTRACTION COLUMNS
FLUORIDES
FUSED SALTS
GASES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LOSSES
MELTING
METALS
OPERATION
OXIDATION
PERFORMANCE
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
PRODUCTION
RADIOCHEMISTRY
RECOVERY
REPROCESSING
RESIDUES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
STEAM
USES
WATER