THE EXTRACTION OF PLUTONIUM FROM NEUTRON-IRRADIATED URANIUM BY URANIUM TRICHLORIDE AND BY MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE
ABS>The extraction of plutonium from neutron-irradiated uranium by uranium trichloride and by magnesium chloride was examined in the temperature rangs 1150 to 1250 deg C. The results of the uranium trichloride experiments were used to evaluate the standard free-snergy change of the equilibrium reaction UCl/ sub 3/ + Pu in equilibrium PuCl/sub 3/ + U. These free-energy values were used to predict the plutonium extraction in the magnesium chloride experiments on the assumption that the uranium trichloride, continuously formed from the non- equilibrium reaction 3/2 MgCl/sub 2/ + U yields UCl/sub 3/ + 3/2 Mg, rapidly established the above equilibrium with the plutonium in the uranium. Agreement between predicted and experimental results supports this assumption. A preliminary study of the kinetics of the MgCl/sub 2/-U reaction showed that the initial rate of reaction is controlled by the distillation of magnesium metal from the reaction zone. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Chalk River, Ont., Can.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-017003
- OSTI ID:
- 4296516
- Journal Information:
- Canadian Journal of Chemistry (Canada), Journal Name: Canadian Journal of Chemistry (Canada) Vol. Vol: 36; ISSN CJCHA
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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