Uranium oxide production
US5723100A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC01P2006/80
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for the production of a uranium oxide in which UF.sub.6 is converted by reaction with steam into UO.sub.2 F.sub.2 in a first step and by further reaction of UO.sub.2 F.sub.2 with steam and/or hydrogen in a second step to produce an oxide of uranium, the process being carried out in an apparatus comprising a single kiln vessel having a first region, having UF.sub.6 and steam inlets, wherein the fast step may be carried out, and a second region wherein the said second step may be carried out, which process includes the further steps of analysing the oxide of uranium produced to determine the mount of fluoride present and the oxygen to uranium (O/U) ratio therein, and, where the level of fluoride present is unacceptably high, recycling the oxide of uranium to the said second region to produce an oxide of uranium having a lower fluoride content and oxygen to uranium ratio and wherein the said oxide of uranium having the unacceptably high fluoride content is fed into the first region of the vessel, in the absence of any feeding of UF.sub.6 or steam thereto, and conveyed by conveying means directly into the second region of the vessel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.