GB801094A - Production of uranium deuteride - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0801094/III/1> In a process for preparing uranium deuteride (UD3), the vapour of deuterium oxide-enriched water containing at least 9:1 weight ratio D2:H2 is reduced to D2 by a heated metal, and the D2 is then contacted with heated uranium. In the example, the uranium is produced by mixing uranium tetrafluoride with magnesium, and heating in a closed calcium oxide-lined iron crucible to form a pool of molten uranium from which magnesium fluoride separates. The closed system shown in the Figure is evacuated to about 0.1 mm. Hg. through 28. D2O vapour is generated in vessel 2 by water bath 4 heated to 30 DEG C., and is passed over iron, zinc, or, preferably, uranium turnings 9 in chamber 8, heated to 600-800 DEG C. by electric furnace 11 to effect reduction to D2. The D2 is passed through trap 16, cooled by solid CO2 and acetone, to condense unreduced D2O vapour. The dried D2 is passed over uranium turnings 23 in chamber 22, heated to 150-400 DEG C. by electric furnace 24, and the UD3 falls away to expose fresh metal. The deuterium is introduced, in amount sufficient to establish a pressure in excess, e.g. 150 mm. in excess, of the decomposition pressure of the deuteride, and substantially as rapidly as consumed. The completion of deuteride formation is indicated visually on manometer 33 by increase in pressure due to the D2 introduced. The deuteride is allowed to cool in the deuterium atmosphere in chamber 22. The apparatus may be of heat-resistant glass, stainless steel, or glass lined iron.ALSO:The uranium, used in the preparation of uranium denteride, is stated in the example to be prepared by mixing uranium tetrafluoride with magnesium, and heating in a closed calcium oxide-lined iron crucible to form a pool of molten uranium from which magnesium fluoride separates. The cooled uranium has a melting point 1100 DEG C. \sB 25 DEG and a density of 19\sB 0.1 grams/cc.