METHOD OF SEPARATING PLUTONIUM
Plutonium hexafluoride is a satisfactory fluorinating agent and may be reacted with various materials capable of forming fluorides, such as copper, iron, zinc, etc., with consequent formation of the metal fluoride and reduction of the plutonium to the form of a lower fluoride. In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the reactivity of plutonium hexafluoride with other fluoridizable materials is so great that the process may be used as a method of separating plutonium from mixures containing plutonium hexafluoride and other vaporized fluorides even though the plutonium is present in but minute quantities. This process may be carried out by treating a mixture of fluoride vapors comprising plutonium hexafluoride and fluoride of uranium to selectively reduce the plutonium hexafluoride and convert it to a less volatile fluoride, and then recovering said less volatile fluoride from the vapor by condensation.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-010240
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2822239
- OSTI ID:
- 4307646
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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VOLATILE FLUORIDE PROCESS FOR SEPARATING PLUTONIUM FROM OTHER MATERIALS
Volatile fluoride process for separating plutonium from other materials