Process for decomposing nitrates in aqueous solution

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:863669

Haas, Paul A ^[1]

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1. Knoxville, TN

This invention is a process for decomposing ammonium nitrate and/or selected metal nitrates in an aqueous solution at an elevated temperature and pressure. Where the compound to be decomposed is a metal nitrate (e.g., a nuclear-fuel metal nitrate), a hydroxylated organic reducing agent therefor is provided in the solution. In accordance with the invention, an effective proportion of both nitromethane and nitric acid is incorporated in the solution to accelerate decomposition of the ammonium nitrate and/or selected metal nitrate. As a result, decomposition can be effected at significantly lower temperatures and pressures, permitting the use of system components composed of off-the-shelf materials, such as stainless steel, rather than more costly materials of construction. Preferably, the process is conducted on a continuous basis. Fluid can be automatically vented from the reaction zone as required to maintain the operating temperature at a moderate value--e.g., at a value in the range of from about 130.degree.-200.degree. C.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4225455
• OSTI ID: 863669
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

-200
/588/423/976/
130
accelerate
accordance
acid
agent
ammonium
ammonium nitrate
aqueous
aqueous solution
automatically
basis
components
components composed
composed
compound
conducted
construction
continuous
continuous basis
costly
decomposed
decomposing
decomposition
degree
effected
effective
elevated
elevated temperature
fluid
hydroxylated
incorporated
maintain
materials
metal
metal nitrate
metal nitrates
moderate
nitrate
nitrates
nitric
nitric acid
nitromethane
nuclear-fuel
off-the-shelf
operating
operating temperature
organic
permitting
preferably
pressure
pressures
process
proportion
provided
range
reaction
reaction zone
reducing
reducing agent
required
result
selected
selected metal
significantly
solution
stainless
stainless steel
steel
temperature
temperatures
value
value--e
vented
zone