Method for cleaning bomb-reduced uranium derbies

Patent · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:863803

Banker, John G ^[1]; Wigginton, Hubert L ^[2]; Beck, David E ^[3]; Holcombe, Cressie E ^[3]

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1. Boulder, CO
2. Oak Ridge, TN
3. Knoxville, TN

The concentration of carbon in uranium metal ingots induction cast from derbies prepared by the bomb-reduction of uranium tetrafluoride in the presence of magnesium is effectively reduced to less than 100 ppm by removing residual magnesium fluoride from the surface of the derbies prior to casting. This magnesium fluoride is removed from the derbies by immersing them in an alkali metal salt bath which reacts with and decomposes the magnesium fluoride. A water quenching operation followed by a warm nitric acid bath and a water rinse removes the residual salt and reaction products from the derbies.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4252564
• OSTI ID: 863803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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