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THE REACTIONS OF SODIUM FLUORIDE WITH HEX AND HYDROGEN FLUORIDE

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4280573

It is shown that uranium hexafiuoride reacts with sodium fluoride at temperatures between 80 and 130 deg C to give Na/sub 3/UF/sub 9/. This compound decomposes thermally, at temperatures above 130 deg C, in two ways, which occur simultaneously: to yield sodium fluoride and uranium hexafluoride and to yield trisodium heptafluoruranate, Na/sub 3/UF/sub 7/, and fluorine. The reaction kinetics of the combination reaction obey a logarithmic law. When sodium fluoride reacts with mixtures of hex and hydrogen fluoride, the reaction product is a mixture of NaF - HF and Na/sub 3/UF/sub 9/. The quantity of hydrogen fluoride reacting to form NaF - HF depends on its concentration in the original mixture. Once the hex has been taken up to form Na/sub 3/UF/sub 9/, it cannot be displaced by hydrogen flouride. The reaction rates of hex and hydrogen fluoride with sodium fluoride are very similar, differing only by a factor of one or two. (auth)

Research Organization:
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Industrial Group. Capenhurst Works, Capenhurst, Ches., England
NSA Number:
NSA-13-007481
OSTI ID:
4280573
Report Number(s):
IGR-R/CA-200
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English