Kinetics of dissolution of uranium metal foil by alkaline hydrogen peroxide
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Chemical Technology Div.
To develop a new process for the production of {sup 99}Mo using low-enriched uranium targets, uranium dissolution in alkaline hydrogen peroxide was studied. Molybdenum-99 is a parent of the widely used medical isotope {sup 99m}Tc. The rates of uranium dissolution in alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution were measured in an open, batch-type reactor and were found to be a 0.25th order reaction with respect to equilibrium hydrogen peroxide concentration. In general, uranium dissolution can be classified as a low-base (<0.2 M hydroxide) and a high-base (>0.2 M hydroxide) process. In the low-base process, both the equilibrium hydrogen peroxide and the hydroxide concentrations affect the rate of uranium dissolution. In the high-base process, uranium dissolution is independent of alkali concentration; the presence of base affects only the equilibrium concentration of hydrogen peroxide. An empirical kinetics model is proposed and discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 418098
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 124; ISSN NSENAO; ISSN 0029-5639
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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