Conversion of uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide structures of controlled density and grain size
Abstract
Abstract AN INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR FABRICATING URANIUM DIXOIDE STRUCTURES OF DESIRED SHAPE, DENSITY AND GRAIN SIZE FROM ENRICHED URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE IS PRESENTED. URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE IS REACTED WITH A REDUCING GAS AND AN OXYGEN-CONTAINING CARRIER GAS IN A REDUCTION-HYDROLYSIS REACTION IN AN ACTIVE FLAME TO YIELD A URANIUM DIOXIDE RICH POWDER OF HIGH SURFACE AREA WITH FLUORIDE IMPURITIES. THE POWDER IS SEPARATED FROM THE GAS STREAM AFTER THE REACTION, AND IF THE POWDER HAS A HIGH FLUORIDE IMPURITY THE POWDER IS DEFLUORINATED BY HEATING UNDER A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE SO THAT THE THIGH SURFACE AREA OF THE POWDER IS PRESERVED. THE POWDER IS THEN PREPRESSES GRANULATED PRESS INTO A STRUCTURE OF DESIRED SHAPE AND SINTERED UNDER A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE TO YIELD A CERAMIC STRUCTURE OF DESIIRED DENSITY AND GRAIN SIZE. THE GAS STREAM FROM THE REACTION IS TREATED TO CONDENSE THE HYDROGEN FLUORIDE AND WATER VAPOR AS AQUEOUS HYDROFLUORIC ACID. D R A W I N G
Inventors
- 👤 Hollander W De
- 👤 H Klepfer
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 0References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |