US3941870A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the production of uranium hexafluoride
Assignee: Australian Atomic Energy Commission
•
Filing: 1973-01-24
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Granted: 1976-03-02
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Expires: 1993-01-24
Abstract
Abstract The production of UF 6 in which UF 4 is reacted with air or oxygen in the presence of a catalyst at 500° to 700°C. The solid byproduct of this reaction is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at 400° to 600°C. Fresh UO 3 may also be reduced with hydrogen in the same reactor as UO 2 F 2 . The reduction product or products are reacted with hydrogen fluoride at 400° to 600°C, producing UF 4 which would be recycled for further reaction to produce UF 6 .
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Ekstrom
- 👤 Ashley Brooks McLaren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:18
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G43/00; C01G43/04; C01G43/06; C01G43/063; C01G43/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for the production of UF 6 comprising reacting UF 4 with air or oxygen at a temperature of 500° to 700°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for the production of UF 6 comprising reacting UF 4 with air or oxygen at a temperature of 500° to 700°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the production of UF 6 comprising reacting UF 4 with air or oxygen at a temperature of 500° to 700°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate, reducing a by-product of the reaction (UO 2 F 2 ) in the presence of the same catalyst with hydrogen at 400° to 600°C and reacting the reduction product (UO 2 ) with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of the same catalyst at 400° to 600°C to produce UF 4 which is recycled for further reaction to produce UF 6 .
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the production of UF 6 comprising reacting UF 4 with air or oxygen at a temperature of 500° to 700°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate, reducing a by-product of the reaction (UO 2 F 2 ) in the presence of the same catalyst with hydrogen at 400° to 600°C and reacting the reduction product (UO 2 ) with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of the same catalyst at 400° to 600°C to produce UF 4 which is recycled for further reaction to produce UF 6 .
Claim 5
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for the production of UO 2 comprising reacting UO 2 F 2 with hydrogen at a temperature of 400° to 600°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for the production of UO 2 comprising reacting UO 2 F 2 with hydrogen at a temperature of 400° to 600°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for the production of UF 4 comprising reacting UO 2 with hydrogen fluoride at a temperature of 400° to 600°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for the production of UF 4 comprising reacting UO 2 with hydrogen fluoride at a temperature of 400° to 600°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for the production of UO 2 comprising reacting UO 3 with hydrogen at a temperature of 400° to 600°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for the production of UO 2 comprising reacting UO 3 with hydrogen at a temperature of 400° to 600°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the production of UF 6 comprising reacting UF 4 with air or oxygen at a temperature of 500° to 700°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate, reducing a by-product of the reaction (UO 2 F 2 ) and fresh UO 3 with hydrogen in the presence of the same catalyst at 400° to 600°C, and hydrofluorinating the resulting mixture of solids in the presence of the same catalyst at 400° to 600°C to produce UF 4 which is recycled for further reaction to produce UF 6 .
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the production of UF 6 comprising reacting UF 4 with air or oxygen at a temperature of 500° to 700°C in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, nickel, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, platinum oxide and palladium oxide either unsupported or on a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium fluoride and barium sulphate, reducing a by-product of the reaction (UO 2 F 2 ) and fresh UO 3 with hydrogen in the presence of the same catalyst at 400° to 600°C, and hydrofluorinating the resulting mixture of solids in the presence of the same catalyst at 400° to 600°C to produce UF 4 which is recycled for further reaction to produce UF 6 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst consisting of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst consisting of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst consisting of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst consisting of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst consisting of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst consisting of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the UF 4 contains 1 to 10 percent by weight of said catalyst which is a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, osmium, palladium, iridium, rhodium, gold and silver at a concentration of 0.5 to 10 percent by weight on alumina.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the UF 4 contains 1 to 10 percent by weight of said catalyst, which is a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, osmium, palladium, iridium, rhodium, gold and silver at a concentration of 0.5 to 10 percent by weight on alumina.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the UF 4 contains 1 to 10 percent by weight of said catalyst, which is is a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, osmium, palladium, iridium, rhodium, gold and silver at a concentration of 0.5 to 10 percent by weight on alumina.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the UF 4 contains 5 to 20 percent by weight of cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) as the catalyst.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the UF 4 contains 5 to 20 percent by weight of cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) as the catalyst.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the UF 4 contains 5 to 20 percent by weight of cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) as the catalyst.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of a catalyst added as hydrated platinum oxide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of a catalyst added as hydrated platinum oxide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of a catalyst added as hydrated platinum oxide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum black or platinum metal filings.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum black or platinum metal filings.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum black or platinum metal filings.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprises adding the UF 4 and said catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in the gaseous phase and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprises adding the UF 4 and said catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in the gaseous phase and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprises adding the UF 4 and said catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in the gaseous phase and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprises adding the UF 4 and said catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in the gaseous phase and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprises adding the UF 4 and said catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in the gaseous phase and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprises adding the UF 4 and said catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in the gaseous phase and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst, which consists of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina, said reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprising adding the UF 4 and catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in gaseous state and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst, which consists of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina, said reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprising adding the UF 4 and catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in gaseous state and condensing the UF 6 .
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the UF 4 contains 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of said catalyst, which consists of 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of platinum supported on alumina, said reacting of the UF 4 with the air or oxygen comprising adding the UF 4 and catalyst to a fluidized bed of UO 2 F 2 particles which may also contain catalyst, removing the UF 6 in gaseous state and condensing the UF 6 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-02 | 1979-09-01 | 1980-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-02 | 1983-09-01 | 1984-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-02 | 1987-09-01 | 1988-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |