Nuclear Metals, Inc.

David S Schlier

George Shinopulos

Eugene N Pollock

A method of producing a high density, low hygroscopic green salt from hydrated green salt includes heating a charge of hydrated green salt in a nonreactive atmosphere to a first temperature above the boiling point of water to drive off free water; heating the charge in a nonreactive atmosphere to a second temperature higher than the first temperature to drive off the water of crystallization present in the green salt; heating the charge in a nonreactive atmosphere to a third temperature higher than the second temperature to induce anhygroscopicity of the charge; and cooling the charge to approximately 400.degree. F. or less in a protective atmosphere to prevent atmospheric oxidation and hydrolysis.

Method for treating hydrated green salt

A method of removing niobium from a uranium-niobium alloy includes dissolving the uranium-niobium alloy metal pieces in a first aqueous solution containing an acid selected from a group consisting of HCl and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and a fluoboric acid as a catalyst to provide a second aqueous solution which includes uranium (U.sup.+4), acid radical ions, the acids and insolubles including uranium oxides and niobium oxides; adding nitric acid to the insolubles to complete the oxidation of the niobium oxides to yield niobic acid and further solubilizing thr uranium oxide; and separating the niobic acid, nitric acid and solubilized uranium oxides.

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Gardner, MA, United States of America

David S Schlier