Method for decontamination of nickel-fluoride-coated nickel containing actinide-metal fluorides

Patent · Tue Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:7249732

Windt, N F; Williams, J L

The invention is a process for decontaminating particulate nickel contaminated with actinide-metal fluorides. In one aspect, the invention comprises contacting nickel-fluoride-coated nickel with gaseous ammonia at a temperature effecting nickel-catalyzed dissociation and effecting hydrogen-reduction of the nickel fluoride. The resulting nickel is heated to form a melt and a slag and to effect transfer of actinide metals from the melt into the slag. The melt and slag are then separated. In another aspect, nickel containing nickel oxide and actinide metals is contacted with ammonia at a temperature effecting nickel-catalyzed dissociation to effect conversion of the nickel oxide to the metal. The resulting nickel is then melted and separated as described. In another aspect nickel-fluoride-coated nickel containing actinide-metal fluorides is contacted with both steam and ammonia. The resulting nickel then is melted and separated as described. The invention is characterized by higher nickel recovery, efficient use of ammonia, a substantial decrease in slag formation and fuming, and a valuable increase in the service life of the furnace liners used for melting. 3 figs.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 4421556; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 6-453983
• OSTI ID: 7249732
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 28 Dec 1982
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ACTINIDES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
FLUORIDES
NICKEL
MATERIALS RECOVERY
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
ELEMENTS
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
METALS
PROCESSING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes