Method for the recovery of uranium values from uranium tetrafluoride

Patent · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864759

Kreuzmann, Alvin B.

The invention is a novel method for the recovery of uranium from dry, particulate uranium tetrafluoride. In one aspect, the invention comprises reacting particulate uranium tetrafluoride and calcium oxide in the presence of gaseous oxygen to effect formation of the corresponding alkaline earth metal uranate and alkaline earth metal fluoride. The product uranate is highly soluble in various acidic solutions wherein the product fluoride is virtually insoluble therein. The product mixture of uranate and alkaline earth metal fluoride is contacted with a suitable acid to provide a uranium-containing solution, from which the uranium is recovered. The invention can achieve quantitative recovery of uranium in highly pure form.

• Research Organization: NLO Inc., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76OR01156
• Assignee: Kreuzmann; Alvin B., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• Patent Number(s): 4,412,861
• OSTI ID: 864759
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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