US4704261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for fluorination of uranium oxide
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1955-01-17
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Granted: 1987-11-03
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Expires: 1975-01-17
Abstract
Abstract Highly pure uranium hexafluoride is made from uranium oxide and fluorine. The uranium oxide, which includes UO 3 , UO 2 , U 3 O 8 and mixtures thereof, is introduced together with a small amount of a fluorine-reactive substance, selected from alkali chlorides, silicon dioxide, silicic acid, ferric oxide, and bromine, into a constant volume reaction zone. Sufficient fluorine is charged into the zone at a temperature below approximately 0° C. to provide an initial pressure of at least approximately 600 lbs/sq. in. at the ambient atmospheric temperature. The temperature is then allowed to rise in the reaction zone until reaction occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 George S. Petit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:35
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G43/00; C01G43/04; C01G43/06; C01G43/063; C01G43/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An improved method for the conversion of uranium oxide to uranium hexafluoride, which comprises introducing said oxide, together with a small amount of fluorine-reactive substance, selected from the group consisting of alkali chlorides, silicon dioxide, silicic acid, ferric oxide, and bromine, into a constant volume reaction zone, charging sufficient fluorine into said zone at a temperature below approximately 0° C. to provide an initial pressure of at least approximately 600 lbs/sq.in. at the ambient atmospheric temperature, and then permitting the temperature to rise in said reaction zone until reaction ensues.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An improved method for the conversion of uranium oxide to uranium hexafluoride, which comprises introducing said oxide, together with a small amount of fluorine-reactive substance, selected from the group consisting of alkali chlorides, silicon dioxide, silicic acid, ferric oxide, and bromine, into a constant volume reaction zone, charging sufficient fluorine into said zone at a temperature below approximately 0° C. to provide an initial pressure of at least approximately 600 lbs/sq.in. at the ambient atmospheric temperature, and then permitting the temperature to rise in said reaction zone until reaction ensues.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the fluorinereactive substance is at least approximately one part fluorine-reactive substance to approximately 2,000 parts uranium oxide, by weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorine-reactive substance is potassium chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorine-reactive substance is silicic acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorine-reactive substance is silicon-dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorine-reactive substance is ferric oxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An improved method for the quantitative conversion of uranium oxide to uranium hexafluoride, which comprises introducing comminuted uranium oxide, together with a small amount of potassium chloride, into a constant volume reaction zone, introducing sufficient fluorine into said reaction zone at a temperature of approximately -189° C. to yield an initial pressure of approximately 800 lbs/sq.in. between a temperature of approximately -10° C. and 0° C. and to yield a stoichiometric excess of approximately 200%, and then permitting the temperature to rise in said reaction zone until, between a temperature of approximately -10° C. and 0° C., reaction ensues.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
An improved method for the quantitative conversion of uranium oxide to uranium hexafluoride, which comprises introducing comminuted uranium oxide, together with a small amount of potassium chloride, into a constant volume reaction zone, introducing sufficient fluorine into said reaction zone at a temperature of approximately -189° C. to yield an initial pressure of approximately 800 lbs/sq.in. between a temperature of approximately -10° C. and 0° C. and to yield a stoichiometric excess of approximately 200%, and then permitting the temperature to rise in said reaction zone until, between a temperature of approximately -10° C. and 0° C., reaction ensues.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-02 | 1991-05-04 | 1991-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-02 | 1995-05-04 | 1995-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-02 | 1999-05-04 | 1999-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |