Specialized metallurgical processes – compositions for use therei – Processes – Producing or treating free metal
Patent
1991-04-23
1992-06-02
Hunt, Brooks H.
Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei
Processes
Producing or treating free metal
75397, C22C 2800
Patent
active
051183439
ABSTRACT:
A method is described for the chemical reduction of plutonium oxides to plutonium metal by the use of pure lithium metal. Lithium metal is used to reduce plutonium oxide to alpha plutonium metal (alpha-Pu). The lithium oxide by-product is reclaimed by sublimation and converted to the chloride salt, and after electrolysis, is removed as lithium metal. Zinc may be used as a solvent metal to improve thermodynamics of the reduction reaction at lower temperatures. Lithium metal reduction enables plutonium oxide reduction without the production of huge quantities of CaO--CaCl.sub.2 residues normally produced in conventional direct oxide reduction processes.
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Carnahan L. E.
Hunt Brooks H.
Jenkins Daniel J.
Moser William R.
Sartorio Henry P.
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