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Title: THE REACTION BETWEEN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND SOLUTIONS OF PURE URANL SALTS. PART I: THE INTERACTION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND URANYL NITRATE

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4249033

Potentiometric titration and other experiments indicate that the mechanism of the interaction in solution of pure uranyl nitrate and hydrogen peroxide is governed by the pH and the concentration of the reactants. In absence of free nitric acid the reaction proceeds to completion, as it does when the pH is raised, although hydrolysis then occurs also; in the presence of free nitric acid reaction reversal, i.e. dissolution of uranium peroxide, takes place, thus reducing the precipitation efficiency, but excess hydrogen peroxide, aiding the forward reaction, reduces this effect. At concentrations of 0.05 M and 0.005 M the optimum precipitation pH appears to be that of a solution containing uranyl and nitrate ions in stoichiometric proportions, at which point the reaction is almost quantitative and the rate of settling of the precipitate is the highest. The progressive addition of ammonium hydroxide to neutral uranyl nitrate in solution results in hydrolysis without precipitation until a compound, perhaps [(UO{sub 3}){sub 2}UO{sub 2}OH] + NO{sub 3}, exists in the solution which irreversibly slowly hydrolyses with formation of a precipitate which is possibly the trimer of uranyl hydroxide. Further addition of ammonium hydroxide results in the formation of an insoluble uranate, possibly (UO{sub 3})OH.NH{sub 4}. (auth) 7 figs.

Research Organization:
Great Britain Springfields Works, Springfields, Lancs, England
NSA Number:
NSA-13-016757
OSTI ID:
4249033
Report Number(s):
CI-R-15; SCS-R-163
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English