Method and facility for converting uranium hexafluoride into uranium dioxide
US12087458B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for converting uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide includes steps of hydrolysis of UF6 to uranium oxyfluoride (UO2F2) in a hydrolysis reactor (4) by reaction between gaseous UF6 and dry water vapour injected into the reactor (4), and pyrohydrolysis of UO2F2 to UO2 in a pyrohydrolysis furnace (6) by reaction of UO2F2 with dry water vapour and hydrogen gas (H2) injected into the furnace (6). The hourly mass flowrate of gaseous UF6 supplied to the reactor (4) is between 75 and 130 kg/h, the hourly mass flowrate of dry water vapour supplied to the reactor (4) for hydrolysis is between 15 and 30 kg/h, and the temperature inside the reactor (4) is between 150 and 250° C.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.