Nuclear Metals, Inc.

Eugene N Pollock

George Shinopulos

David S Schlier

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.

Method of removing niobium from uranium-niobium alloy

A method and apparatus are provided for producing green salt (UF.sub.4) from uranium-bearing metal pieces. The uranium-bearing metal pieces are dissolved in a first aqueous solution containing hydrochloric acid and between 0.5% and 5% fluoboric acid to provide a second aqueous solution which includes uranium (U.sup.+4), chlorine ions (Cl.sup.-) and hydrochloric and fluoboric acids. Hydrofluoric acid is added to the second aqueous solution to precipitate green salt out of that solution and provide a third aqueous solution which contains hydrochloric acid. The green salt is then separated from the third aqueous solution.

Method for producing green salt (UF.sub.4) from uranium and uranium

A method and apparatus are provided for producing uranyl peroxide (UO.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O) from uranium-bearing metal pieces. The uranium-bearing metal pieces are dissolved in a first aqueous solution containing nitric acid and between 0.5% and 5.0% fluoboric acid to provide a second aqueous solution which includes uranyl ions (UO.sub.2.sup.+2) and nitric and fluoboric acids. Hydrogen peroxide is added to the second aqueous solution to precipitate uranyl peroxide out of that solution and provide a third aqueous solution which contains nitric and fluoboric acids. The uranyl peroxide is then separated from the third aqueous solution.

Method and apparatus for producing uranyl peroxide (U0.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O)

A method and apparatus are provided for producing uranyl peroxide (UO.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O) from uranium-bearing metal pieces. The uranium-bearing metal pieces are dissolved in a first aqueous solution containing nitric and fluoboric acids to provide a second aqueous solution which includes uranyl ions (UO.sub.2.sup.+2) and nitric and fluoboric acids. Hydrogen peroxide is added to the second aqueous solution to precipitate uranyl peroxide out of that solution and provide a third aqueous solution which contains nitric and fluoboric acids. The uranyl peroxide is then separated from the third aqueous solution.

Method and apparatus for producing uranyl peroxide (UO.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O)

A method and apparatus are provided for producing green salt (UF.sub.4) from uranium-bearing metal pieces. The uranium-bearing metal pieces are dissolved in a first aqueous solution containing hydrochloric and fluoboric acids to provide a second aqueous solution which includes uranium (U.sup.+4), chlorine ions (Cl.sup.-) and hydrochloric and fluoboric acids. Hydrofluoric acid is added to the second aqueous solution to precipitate green salt out of that solution and provide a third aqueous solution which contains hydrochloric acid. The green salt is then separated from the third aqueous solution.

Growing community of inventors

Brookline, MA, United States of America

Eugene N Pollock