Process for producing an aggregate suitable for inclusion into a radiation shielding product
Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods for converting depleted uranium hexafluoride to a stable depleted uranium silicide in a one-step reaction. Uranium silicide provides a stable aggregate material that can be added to concrete to increase the density of the concrete and, consequently, shield gamma radiation. As used herein, the term "uranium silicide" is defined as a compound generically having the formula U.sub.x Si.sub.y, wherein the x represents the molecules of uranium and the y represent the molecules of silicon. In accordance with the present invention, uranium hexafluoride is converted to a uranium silicide by contacting the uranium hexafluoride with a silicon-containing material at a temperature in a range between about 1450.degree. C. and about 1750.degree. C. The stable depleted uranium silicide is included as an aggregate in a radiation shielding product, such as a concrete product.
- Inventors:
-
- Idaho Falls, ID
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 873248
- Patent Number(s):
- 6120706
- Assignee:
- Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS
C - CHEMISTRY C04 - CEMENTS C04B - LIME, MAGNESIA
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-94ID13223
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- process; producing; aggregate; suitable; inclusion; radiation; shielding; product; directed; methods; converting; depleted; uranium; hexafluoride; stable; silicide; one-step; reaction; provides; material; added; concrete; increase; density; consequently; shield; gamma; term; defined; compound; generically; formula; represents; molecules; represent; silicon; accordance; converted; contacting; silicon-containing; temperature; range; 1450; degree; 1750; included; uranium silicide; aggregate material; radiation shielding; depleted uranium; radiation shield; gamma radiation; uranium hexafluoride; concrete product; containing material; step reaction; /252/423/
Citation Formats
Lessing, Paul A, and Kong, Peter C. Process for producing an aggregate suitable for inclusion into a radiation shielding product. United States: N. p., 2000.
Web.
Lessing, Paul A, & Kong, Peter C. Process for producing an aggregate suitable for inclusion into a radiation shielding product. United States.
Lessing, Paul A, and Kong, Peter C. Sat .
"Process for producing an aggregate suitable for inclusion into a radiation shielding product". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/873248.
@article{osti_873248,
title = {Process for producing an aggregate suitable for inclusion into a radiation shielding product},
author = {Lessing, Paul A and Kong, Peter C},
abstractNote = {The present invention is directed to methods for converting depleted uranium hexafluoride to a stable depleted uranium silicide in a one-step reaction. Uranium silicide provides a stable aggregate material that can be added to concrete to increase the density of the concrete and, consequently, shield gamma radiation. As used herein, the term "uranium silicide" is defined as a compound generically having the formula U.sub.x Si.sub.y, wherein the x represents the molecules of uranium and the y represent the molecules of silicon. In accordance with the present invention, uranium hexafluoride is converted to a uranium silicide by contacting the uranium hexafluoride with a silicon-containing material at a temperature in a range between about 1450.degree. C. and about 1750.degree. C. The stable depleted uranium silicide is included as an aggregate in a radiation shielding product, such as a concrete product.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000}
}