PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF PLUTONIUM FROM ITS OXIDES
A method is described for obtaining a carbide of plutonium and two methods for obtaining plutonium metal from its oxides. One of the latter involves heating the oxide, in particular PuO/sub 2/, to a temperature of 1200 to 1500 deg C with the stoichiometrical amount of carbon to fornn CO in a hard vacuum (3 to 10 microns Hg), the reduced and vaporized plutonium being collected on a condensing surface above the reaction crucible. When an excess of carbon is used with the PuO/sub 2/, a carbide of plutonium is formed at a crucible temperature of 1400 to 1500 deg C. The process may be halted and the carbide removed, or the reaction temperature can be increased to 1900 to 2100 deg C at the same low pressure to dissociate the carbide, in which case the plutonium is distilled out and collected on the same condensing surface.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-007439
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2908563
- OSTI ID:
- 4175934
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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