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U.S. Department of Energy
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Determination of a cold substitute for plutonium nitrate (Pu(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/) calcination

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6173310
This activity researched candidate cold substitutes for Pu(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ needed to test prototype screw calciners for PuO/sub 2/ production. Cerous nitrate, (Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/.6H/sub 2/O), was identified as the most promising substitute. Four compounds (thorium nitrate, Th(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/.4H/sub 2/O, aluminum nitrate, Al(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/.9H/sub 2/O, ferric nitrate Fe(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/.9H/sub 2/O), and cerous nitrate, Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/.6H/sub 2/O and Al(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/.9H/sub 2/O were found to have the desired physical decomposition properties. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) of Ce(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/.6H/sub 2/O confirmed its thermal decomposition approximated that of Pu(NO/sub 3/)/sub 4/. 6 figures.
Research Organization:
Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
DOE Contract Number:
EY-77-C-06-1030
OSTI ID:
6173310
Report Number(s):
RHO-SA-112; CONF-790666-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English