Method and facility for converting uranium hexafluoride into uranium dioxide
US12384694B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/50
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conversion process for converting uranium hexafluoride into uranium dioxide includes the 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), pyrohydrolysis of UO2F2 to UO2 in a pyrohydrolysis furnace (6) by reacting UO2F2 with dry steam and gaseous hydrogen (H2) injected into the furnace (6), extracting excess gas in the reactor (4) via a collecting device (50) comprising several filters (52), periodically cleaning the filters (52) by injecting a neutral gas into the filters (52) from the outside to the inside of the reactor (4) to remove powder stuck on the filters (52), and measuring the relative pressure in the reactor (4). The conversion method further includes carrying out point cleaning of the filters (52) when the relative pressure in the reactor (4) exceeds a predetermined point cleaning threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.