Rotary kilns
US5607648A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J2219/182
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A rotary kiln, particularly for producing uranium dioxide from uranium hexafluoride, has an inlet arrangement and a heated rotatable barrel. Uranium hexafluoride and steam react together in the inlet arrangement to form uranyl fluoride which is fed into the barrel by the aid of a rotating scroll feed device. In the barrel, the uranyl fluoride reacts with a counterflow stream of steam and hydrogen to produce the uranium dioxide. A porous metal or ceramic filter closely surrounds the scroll feed device to remove particles from kiln-produced gases. The filter is maintained in a clean condition by the scraping action of a number of helical blades forming part of the scroll feed device. The uranium dioxide powder produced by the kiln may be processed to form nuclear fuel pellets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.