Method for dissolving delta-phase plutonium

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868418

Karraker, David G ^[1]

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1. 1600 Sherwood Pl., SE., Aiken, SC 29801

A process for dissolving plutonium, and in particular, delta-phase plutonium. The process includes heating a mixture of nitric acid, hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) and potassium fluoride to a temperature between 40.degree. and 70.degree. C., then immersing the metal in the mixture. Preferably, the nitric acid has a concentration of not more than 2M, the HAN approximately 0.66M, and the potassium fluoride 0.1M. Additionally, a small amount of sulfamic acid, such as 0.1M can be added to assure stability of the HAN in the presence of nitric acid. The oxide layer that forms on plutonium metal may be removed with a non-oxidizing acid as a pre-treatment step.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Karraker, David G. (1600 Sherwood Pl., SE., Aiken, SC 29801)
• Patent Number(s): US 5135728
• OSTI ID: 868418
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
dissolving
delta-phase
plutonium
process
particular
heating
mixture
nitric
acid
hydroxylammonium
nitrate
potassium
fluoride
temperature
40
degree
70
immersing
metal
preferably
concentration
2m
approximately
66m
1m
additionally
amount
sulfamic
added
assure
stability
presence
oxide
layer
forms
removed
non-oxidizing
pre-treatment
step
sulfamic acid
dissolving plutonium
treatment step
ammonium nitrate
nitric acid
oxide layer
plutonium metal
oxidizing acid
hydroxylammonium nitrate
delta-phase plutonium
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