EP0592231A1 - Appareil pour la production d'uranium - Google Patents
Appareil pour la production d'uranium Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0592231A1 EP0592231A1 EP93308009A EP93308009A EP0592231A1 EP 0592231 A1 EP0592231 A1 EP 0592231A1 EP 93308009 A EP93308009 A EP 93308009A EP 93308009 A EP93308009 A EP 93308009A EP 0592231 A1 EP0592231 A1 EP 0592231A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- uranium
- metal
- chloride
- sodium
- reactor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 229910052770 Uranium Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- JFALSRSLKYAFGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N uranium(0) Chemical compound [U] JFALSRSLKYAFGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 14
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 5
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229910001510 metal chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- HPICRATUQFHULE-UHFFFAOYSA-J uranium(4+);tetrachloride Chemical compound Cl[U](Cl)(Cl)Cl HPICRATUQFHULE-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910001507 metal halide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000005309 metal halides Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910001338 liquidmetal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 4
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011812 mixed powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001209 Low-carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005275 alloying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000019441 ethanol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- -1 for example Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001026 inconel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N methanol Natural products OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002893 slag Substances 0.000 description 1
- RUDFQVOCFDJEEF-UHFFFAOYSA-N yttrium(III) oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Y+3].[Y+3] RUDFQVOCFDJEEF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B60/00—Obtaining metals of atomic number 87 or higher, i.e. radioactive metals
- C22B60/02—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides
- C22B60/0204—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides obtaining uranium
- C22B60/0213—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides obtaining uranium by dry processes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B60/00—Obtaining metals of atomic number 87 or higher, i.e. radioactive metals
- C22B60/02—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides
- C22B60/0204—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides obtaining uranium
- C22B60/0286—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides obtaining uranium refining, melting, remelting, working up uranium
Definitions
- This invention relates to the production of uranium, and more particularly to the production of uranium from a chloride of uranium.
- a method of producing a metal comprising uranium comprising reacting a chloride of uranium with sodium vapour to produce the metal and sodium chloride, the products of the reaction being cooled such that the sodium chloride product is below its vaporisation temperature, and separating the metal produced from the sodium chloride.
- the chloride of uranium comprises UCl3, or UCl4.
- another metal such as iron, for example up to 10% by weight, may be included with the chloride of uranium, and may comprise a metallic powder or a metal halide.
- the products of the reaction may be cooled rapidly so as to produce mixed solids thereof from which the uranium metal may be separated from the sodium chloride.
- liquid said metal may be separated from the sodium chloride.
- apparatus for the production of a metal comprising uranium comprising a reactor, means for feeding a chloride of uranium into the reactor, means for feeding sodium into the reactor to react with the chloride, and means for discharging from the reactor products from the reaction of the sodium and the chloride.
- the sodium feeding means includes means for heating molten sodium so as to vaporise the liquid sodium.
- means may be provided for cooling the reactor so as to increase the rate of solidification of uranium metal produced in the reaction.
- the discharging means may comprise a weir, or may be constituted by a rotary dispenser.
- the reactor may be provided by a rotary kiln operating in a horizontal or near horizontal orientation.
- the invention also includes a metal or alloy comprising uranium produced by the method of the invention.
- a reactor 10 is shown and comprises a cylindrical mild steel vessel 12 with a roof 14 having a central inlet 16.
- a side inlet 18 is at the top of the vessel 12 with an electric heater 20.
- a weir assembly 22 is arranged at the bottom of the vessel 12 with an upper overflow 23 and a lower overflow 26.
- a corrosion resistant coating (not shown) is applied to the internal surface of the vessel 12 to resist the corrosive effect of liquid uranium.
- the vessel 12 is purged with an inert gas (eg. argon), and then a liquid chloride of uranium (eg. UCl3, or UCl4) is fed through the central inlet 16 at about 600°C.
- a liquid chloride of uranium eg. UCl3, or UCl4
- Molten sodium at about 200°C is fed through the side inlet 18 where it is heated to about 900°C by the heater 20 to vaporise the sodium which subsequently contacts and reacts with the liquid chloride of uranium.
- the temperature of the vessel 12 is controlled by means (not shown) such that the reaction products of uranium metal and sodium chloride are cooled below their vaporisation temperatures thereby avoiding corrosive attack on the internal surface of the vessel 12.
- a reactor 30 having a relatively long Inconel cylindrical vessel 32 with a water-cooled cooling jacket 33, and a roof 34 having a central inlet 36.
- a side inlet 38 is at the top of the vessel 32 with an electric heater 40.
- a frusto-conical lower end 42 of the vessel 32 has a rotary dispenser in the form of a rotary valve 44 for discharging residues from the vessel 32.
- the upper portion of the internal surface of the vessel 12 may be coated with a corrosion resistant material (eg. yttria) to withstand the corrosive effect of liquid uranium.
- the particle size of the uranium metal powder in the residue is affected by: the cooling rate in the reactor 30 (eg. affected by the coolant temperature), residence time in the reactor 30 (ie. vessel 32 length), and turbulence patterns in the reactor 30.
- the feed of the sodium relative to the liquid chloride of uranium should be at least stoichiometric but preferably is in excess in the reactors 10, 30.
- liquid chloride of uranium for example, metal powder (eg. iron, preferably not exceeding 10% by weight) or metal halides to provide alloying constituents in the uranium produced in the reactors 10, 30.
- metal powder eg. iron, preferably not exceeding 10% by weight
- metal halides to provide alloying constituents in the uranium produced in the reactors 10, 30.
- vessels 12, 32 may be constructed from alternative materials.
- a form of the reactor 30 could be provided by a rotary kiln operating in a horizontal or near horizontal orientation, with conventional scrapers, etc, to assist the displacement of the residues from the reaction along the kiln.
Landscapes
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
- Inorganic Compounds Of Heavy Metals (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB929221078A GB9221078D0 (en) | 1992-10-07 | 1992-10-07 | A method and an apparatus for the production of uranium |
GB9221078 | 1992-10-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0592231A1 true EP0592231A1 (fr) | 1994-04-13 |
Family
ID=10723095
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP93308009A Withdrawn EP0592231A1 (fr) | 1992-10-07 | 1993-10-07 | Appareil pour la production d'uranium |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0592231A1 (fr) |
CA (1) | CA2107921A1 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB9221078D0 (fr) |
ZA (1) | ZA937454B (fr) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106498445A (zh) * | 2016-10-31 | 2017-03-15 | 中国工程物理研究院材料研究所 | 一种含UCl3的高纯氯化物熔盐体系的制备方法、其熔盐体系及应用 |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109913901B (zh) * | 2019-04-28 | 2023-06-02 | 哈尔滨工程大学 | 一种金属铀的制备方法 |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB814195A (en) * | 1944-04-14 | 1959-06-03 | Atomic Energy Authority Uk | Production of uranium metal |
US2997385A (en) * | 1958-10-29 | 1961-08-22 | Du Pont | Method of producing refractory metal |
GB883160A (en) * | 1959-06-09 | 1961-11-22 | Atomic Energy Commission | High temperature reduction of uranium hexafluoride to metal |
US3847596A (en) * | 1968-02-28 | 1974-11-12 | Halomet Ag | Process of obtaining metals from metal halides |
FR2461014A1 (fr) * | 1979-07-05 | 1981-01-30 | Cockerill | Procede et installation pour la production de metaux reactifs, allies ou non, par reduction de leurs halogenures |
EP0408468A1 (fr) * | 1989-07-06 | 1991-01-16 | CEZUS Compagnie Européenne du Zirconium | Procédé d'obtention d'uranium à partir d'oxyde et utilisant une voie chlorure |
-
1992
- 1992-10-07 GB GB929221078A patent/GB9221078D0/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-10-07 ZA ZA937454A patent/ZA937454B/xx unknown
- 1993-10-07 CA CA002107921A patent/CA2107921A1/fr not_active Abandoned
- 1993-10-07 EP EP93308009A patent/EP0592231A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB814195A (en) * | 1944-04-14 | 1959-06-03 | Atomic Energy Authority Uk | Production of uranium metal |
US2997385A (en) * | 1958-10-29 | 1961-08-22 | Du Pont | Method of producing refractory metal |
GB883160A (en) * | 1959-06-09 | 1961-11-22 | Atomic Energy Commission | High temperature reduction of uranium hexafluoride to metal |
US3847596A (en) * | 1968-02-28 | 1974-11-12 | Halomet Ag | Process of obtaining metals from metal halides |
FR2461014A1 (fr) * | 1979-07-05 | 1981-01-30 | Cockerill | Procede et installation pour la production de metaux reactifs, allies ou non, par reduction de leurs halogenures |
EP0408468A1 (fr) * | 1989-07-06 | 1991-01-16 | CEZUS Compagnie Européenne du Zirconium | Procédé d'obtention d'uranium à partir d'oxyde et utilisant une voie chlorure |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106498445A (zh) * | 2016-10-31 | 2017-03-15 | 中国工程物理研究院材料研究所 | 一种含UCl3的高纯氯化物熔盐体系的制备方法、其熔盐体系及应用 |
CN106498445B (zh) * | 2016-10-31 | 2019-02-26 | 中国工程物理研究院材料研究所 | 一种含UCl3的高纯氯化物熔盐体系的制备方法、其熔盐体系及应用 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2107921A1 (fr) | 1995-04-15 |
ZA937454B (en) | 1994-09-23 |
GB9221078D0 (en) | 1992-11-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19940429 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19970204 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19970815 |