METAL RECOVERY PROCESS

Patent · 01 December 1957

OSTI ID:4329540

Werner, L B; Hill, O F

A process is presented for the separation of plutonium from the niobium oxide which is frequently used as a carrier precipitate to separate the plutonium from solutions of dissolved fuel elements. The niobium oxide, plutonium bearing precipitate is treated with hydrogen fluoride converting the niobium to the volatile pentafluoride, while the plutonium is changed into the substantially non- volatile plutonium tetrafluoride. After the niobium has been removed, the plutonium tetrafluoride is reacted with elemental fluorine, converting it to a higher plutonium fluoride and this may in turn be volitilized away from any residual impurities.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• DOE Contract Number: NONE
• NSA Number: NSA-12-006991
• Assignee: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): US 2815265
• OSTI ID: 4329540
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

FLUORINE
FUEL ELEMENTS
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
IMPURITIES
NIOBIUM FLUORIDES
NIOBIUM OXIDES
PATENT
PATENTS
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM FLUORIDES
PRECIPITATION
RECOVERY
SOLUTIONS
VOLATILITY