THE THERMODYNAMICS OF THE REDUCTION OF URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE BY CALCIUM

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Atomnaya Energ.

OSTI ID:4830592

Galkin, N P; Varyatin, U D; Smirnov, Yu V

In view of the importance of the reduction of UF/sub 4/ by Ca and mg for the preparation of metallic U, the thermodynamic calculations on the UF/sub 4/ + 2Ca = U + 2CaF/sub 2/+ Q reaction were compared with previously published data on the reduction of UF/sub 4/ with Mg. The plot of the heat effect of the free energy of the reaction and of the logarithm of the equilibrium constant vs. the temperature showed that from the boiling point of the UF/sub 4/ the heat effect decreases sharply. The theoretical reduction temperature was calcu1ated at 2100 deg C while experimental work with W -Mo thermocouples indicated a temperature of 2000 deg C which is higher than the melting point of the slag. The heat liberated is thus sufficient to melt the reaction products and accordingly calciothermic reduction does not require preheating which is necessary for the reaction with Mg. In view of the lower vapor pressure of Ca with respect to Mg, the reduction may be carried out in an open apparatus. The free energy and the equilibrium constant decrease with increasing temperature while the equilibrium shifts toward the formation of U + CaF/sub 2/. The calculations thus indicate that the use of Ca is preferable tc Mg; the continued use of the latter abroad is due to its lower price. (TTT)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-16-001656
• OSTI ID: 4830592
• Journal Information: Atomnaya Energ., Journal Name: Atomnaya Energ. Vol. Vol: 11
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: Russian

Related Subjects

BOILING
BOILING POINTS
CALCIUM
CALCIUM FLUORIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DIAGRAMS
ECONOMICS
EQUATIONS
HEATING
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MAGNESIUM
MATHEMATICS
MELTING
MELTING POINTS
MOLYBDENUM
NUMERICALS
PREPARATION
REACTION KINETICS
REDUCTION
SLAGS
SOLUTIONS
TEMPERATURE
TESTING
THERMOCOUPLES
THERMODYNAMICS
TUNGSTEN
URANIUM
URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE
VAPORS