A CARBIDE-IODIDE PROCESS FOR HIGH PURITY THORIUM
Thorium carbide can be used as a feed material for production of thorium metal filaments by a Van Arkel-de Boer-type process. Factors influencing the synthesis of carbide from oxide and the growth of thorium metal from carbide were studied and optimum conditions of growth established. Metal having a carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen content lower than the best material obtainable from a conventional metal feed can be produced at satisfactory rates and temperatures. A thorium iodide decomposition unit with carbide feed material involves processes which are highly efficient at separating from thorium ail major metallic impurities except zirconium, hafnium, and uranium. A large group of these impurities is volatilized at the high temperatures needed for carbide formation. The residual impurities are then eliminated by one or other of the several exclusion processes operating in the iodide formation and decomposition bulb. Application of the process to larger-scale operation is briefly discussed. Finally, attention is drawn to the excellent decontamination from fission products possible with irradiated thorium materials. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-006353
- OSTI ID:
- 4265018
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/1098
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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THE ANALYSIS OF REFRACTORY BORIDES, CARBIDES, NITRIDES, AND SILICIDES
Related Subjects
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
DECONTAMINATION
ECONOMICS
FABRICATION
FISSION PRODUCTS
HAFNIUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IMPURITIES
IODINE
IRRADIATION
METALS
NITROGEN
OXYGEN
PREPARATION
PRODUCTION
REACTION KINETICS
REFINING
REPROCESSING
TEMPERATURE
THORIUM
THORIUM CARBIDES
THORIUM IODIDES
THORIUM OXIDES
TRACE AMOUNTS
URANIUM
USES
VOLATILITY
WIRES
ZIRCONIUM