Production of uranium dioxide
US4053559A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1976 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/129
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A continuous, four stage fluidized bed process for converting uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6) to ceramic-grade uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) powder suitable for use in the manufacture of fuel pellets for nuclear reactors is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of first reacting UF.sub.6 with steam in a first fluidized bed, preferably at about 550.degree. C, to form solid intermediate reaction products UO.sub.2 F.sub.2, U.sub.3 O.sub.8 and an off-gas including hydrogen fluoride (HF). The solid intermediate reaction products are conveyed to a second fluidized bed reactor at which the mol fraction of HF is controlled at low levels in order to prevent the formation of uranium tetrafluoride (UF.sub.4). The first intermediate reaction products are reacted in the second fluidized bed with steam and hydrogen at a temperature of about 630.degree. C. The second intermediate reaction product including uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) is conveyed to a third fluidized bed reactor and reacted with additional steam and hydrogen at a temperature of about 650.degree. C producing a reaction product consisting essentially of uranium dioxide having an oxygen-uranium ratio of about 2 and a low residual fl…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.