THE PHOTOACTIVATED REDUCTION OF URANIUM(VI) TO URANIUM(IV) NITRATE
The effects of reductant used, reductant concentration, U concentration, radiant energy intensity, acidity, temperature and nitrite suppressors on the photoactivated reduction of uranyl nitrate to uranium(IV) nitrate were studied. A practical source of radiant energy for the reduction is the GE UA-11 chemical processing lamp. Under optimum conditions, one of these lamps should be capable of producing 12 to 15 pounds of U(IV) per day. Lamppower-reagent cost calculations indicate that U(IV) can be produced at less than 10 cents per pound. The photoactivated reduction appears applicable on either a batch or a continuous basis. Greater reduction rates were obtained with formaldehyde as the reducing agent than with hydrazine, methanol, formic acid, sulfamic acid or urea. However, more work was done to find optimum conditions for the use of formaldehyde than for the other reductants. No advantage was gained by the use of nitrite suppressors such as sulfamic acid, hydrazine or urea. The effects of other variables were, in general, as predicted from a consideration of the reactions involved. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1350
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-021667
- OSTI ID:
- 4714737
- Report Number(s):
- HW-70543
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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