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U.S. Department of Energy
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FLUOROX PROCESS: PRODUCTION OF UF$sub 6$ IN A FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4122562
The engineering feasibility of producing UF/sub 6/ from UF/sub 4/ by oxidation with dry air or oxygen in a continuous 4-in.diameter fluidized-bed reactor was demonstrated in eight runs at bed temperatures of 700 to 850 deg C. With reflned UF/sub 4/ feed and either dry oxygen or air as the oxidizing and fluidizing gas, up to 90% of the theoretical amount of UF/sub 6/ formed was collected in cold traps, and the remainder was accounted for by side reactions. With crude UF/sub 4/ feed, corrosion of the Iconel reactor was excessive. A method of preparing feed for the reactor by compacting fine UF/sub 4/ to +20 mesh and grinding the compact to --20 +150 mesh was developed. A cost estimate was made for an integrated Fluorox plant, including feed preparation, oxidation, and provision for recycle of the by-product UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/, with a capacity equivalent to 5000 tons of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ per year. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
NSA Number:
NSA-15-001455
OSTI ID:
4122562
Report Number(s):
ORNL-2797
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English