The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 31, 2021
Filed:
Jul. 06, 2018
Uchicago Argonne, Llc, Chicago, IL (US);
Mark A. Williamson, Naperville, IL (US);
James L. Willit, Batavia, IL (US);
UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method of producing uranium halides is disclosed in which chlorine gas is introduced into a liquid uranium-nickel alloy. NaCl salt is surrounding the crucible containing the liquid uranium-nickel alloy, producing a eutectic mixture of NaCl—UCl. Upon chlorination, the metal halide dissolves in the matrix salt forming a solution. Adding the reactant metal, uranium to the nickel, the alloy is able to remain molten throughout processing. The liquid metal alloy may be removed from the salt bath, while the halogen gas continues to enter the system through the sparge until the desired composition of NaCl—UCl—UClis achieved. The method and system can be used to produce other metal halide salts such as actinide, lanthanide or transition metal halides contained in a matrix salt consisting of alkali and/or alkaline earth halides.