A FLUID-BED PROCESS FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE TO URANIUM DIOXIDE
Open Access
- 1 February 1963
- report
- Published by Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)
Abstract
A new, dry process for the production of UO/sub 2/ powder from UF/sub 6/ by fluidization and particle-coating techniques was developed. The process involves direct conversion of UF/sub 6/ to a solid, UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/, by hydrolysis with steam and the reduction of the UO/sub 2/F/sub 2/ to the dioxide by reaction with was carried out in 3-in.-dia. Monel reactors. In continuing studies, dense, spheroidal UO/sub 2/ particles in the range --20 +200 mesh are being prepared. A simultaneous (steam and H/sub 2/) reaction procedure at temperatures up to 7OO deg C is being used. Particle densities ranged to 9.75g/ cc or about 89% of theoretical. Sintering in H/sub 2/ at about 1700 deg C for 2.5 hr gave final densities of 10.4 to 16.6 g/cc or up to about 96.5% of theoretical density. (auth)Keywords
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