Direct chemical reduction of neptunium oxide to neptunium metal using calcium and calcium chloride

Journal Article · Tue Jan 12 23:00:00 EST 2016 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2016.01.007 · OSTI ID:1357488

Squires, Leah N. ^[1]; Lessing, Paul ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

A process of direct reduction of neptunium oxide to neptunium metal using calcium metal as the reducing agent is discussed. After reduction of the oxide to metal, the metal is separated by density from the other components of the reaction mixture and can easily removed upon cooling. Furthermore, the direct reduction technique consistently produces high purity (98%–99% pure) neptunium metal.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1357488
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU--15-36819; PII: S002231151630006X
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Journal Issue: C Vol. 471; ISSN 0022-3115
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English