Method for converting uranium oxides to uranium metal

Details Method for converting uranium oxides to uranium metal Method for converting uranium oxides to uranium metal

1987-01-27

1988-01-05

Thexton, Matthew A.

Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei

Processes

Electrothermic processes

C22B 6002

Patent

active

047174200

ABSTRACT:
A process is described for converting scrap and waste uranium oxide to uranium metal. The uranium oxide is sequentially reduced with a suitable reducing agent to a mixture of uranium metal and oxide products. The uranium metal is then converted to uranium hydride and the uranium hydride-containing mixture is then cooled to a temperature less than -100.degree. C. in an inert liquid which renders the uranium hydride ferromagnetic. The uranium hydride is then magnetically separated from the cooled mixture. The separated uranium hydride is readily converted to uranium metal by heating in an inert atmosphere. This process is environmentally acceptable and eliminates the use of hydrogen fluoride as well as the explosive conditions encountered in the previously employed bomb-reduction processes utilized for converting uranium oxides to uranium metal.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2782117 (1957-02-01), Wilhelm et al.
patent: 3025156 (1962-03-01), Humbert et al.
patent: 3099555 (1963-07-01), Teitel
patent: 3119686 (1964-01-01), Teitel
patent: 4067953 (1978-01-01), Roux et al.
Holden, A. N., Physical Metallurgy of Uranium, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Mass. (1958), pp. 52-53.

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