SEPARATION OF GASEOUS MIXTURES OF URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE AND PLUTONIUM HEXAFLUORIDE BY THERMAL DECOMPOSITION
Experiments were carried out to determine the extent and rate of separation of plutonium hexafluoride froni mixtures of uranium hexafluoride and plutonium hexafluoride obtained by thermal decomposition. Gaseous mixtures of uranium hexafluoride, plutonium hexafluoride and helium were circulated for varying lengths of time through nickel vessels at temperatures of 150, 200, and 300 deg C. The gas phase was analyzed for uranium and plutonium before and after circulation. The amounts of uranium and plutonium in the solid conipounds deposited in the vessels were also determined. Passage of the mixtures through the hot vessels resulted in the removal of 99.5 to 99.9% of the plutonium. The solid product remaining in the vessels was plutonium tetrafluoride containing 0.09 to 1.3% uranium. The separation of plutonium hexafluoride from uranium hexafluoride by selective thermal decomposition is applicable to the Direct Fluorination Volatility Process for the recovery of fissile material from reactor fuels. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., Ill.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-012367
- OSTI ID:
- 4761852
- Report Number(s):
- TID-17842; UAC-7037
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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