PRODUCTION OF URANIUM

Patent · Wed Feb 25 00:00:00 EST 1959

OSTI ID:4270256

Ruehle, A E; Stevenson, J W

An improved bomb process for reduction of UF/sub 4/ to U is offered. The process differs essentially from the conventional process in that Mg is used as reductant and MgF/sub 2/ slag is used as bomb liner. The Mg is added to the UF/sub 4/ charge in a stoichiometric excess of 3 to 5% along with an additive which forms a film on the Mg to prevent undesirable and premature reactions. The additive material may be UO/sub 3/, UF/sub 4/5H/sub 2/O, UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/, or NaHF/sub 2/. The additive should be ~0.5 to 2.0% of the UF/sub 4/ by weight. Alternatively, the Mg may be treated with the additive prior to mixing with the UF/sub 4/. In this alternate procedure the mixture of Mg plus additive is pressed at 10,000 psi into 25 gm wafers. This reduces the firing time without impairing the yield. The MgF/sub 2/ slag for the bomb liner is ground so that 75% passes through a 100-mesh screen. The slag powder is then poured into the bomb around a rubber mandrel which is tamped to pack the liner. The rubber mandrel is then lifted out, the charge put in, and the bomb is evacuated for 31/2 hours, sealed, and fired. Small metal particles found trapped in the slag are pickled in HNO/sub 3/ and recycled. When UO/sub 3/ is used as additive, Mg0 forms in the slag, and as the slag is re-used the MgO content increases. To recondition this slag NaF (~2.5 wt. % of UF/sub 4/) is added to the charge. The NaF forms a lower melting slag and gives a shorter reaction time. (T.R.H.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-13-012545
• OSTI ID: 4270256
• Report Number(s): GB 809408
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CHEMISTRY
EFFICIENCY
FILMS
FLUORIDES
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
MACHINE PARTS
MAGNESIUM
MAGNESIUM FLUORIDES
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
MELTING POINTS
METALS
MIXING
NITRIC ACID
PARTICLES
POWDERS
PRESSURE
PRODUCTION
QUANTITY RATIO
REACTOR FUELING
REDUCTION
REPROCESSING
RUBBER
SALTS
SEALS
SLAGS
SODIUM FLUORIDES
SOILS
URANIUM
URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE
URANIUM TRIOXIDE
URANYL COMPOUNDS
URANYL FLUORIDES
VACUUM
WATER