An oxidation-fluorination process for the recovery of uranium from graphite-base nuclear reactor fuels has been studied on a pilot plant scale. The graphite fuel was burned with oxygen and the residue, containing U3O8, was made to react with fluorine to form volatile UF6. These exothermic reactions were carried out within a fluidized bed of refractory alumina particles, which served as an inert heat transfer medium for control of temperature. In the oxidation step the oxygen was fed continuously to the reactor, while the graphite fuel was added intermittently at intervals of approximately 1 hour. Under these conditions and at 700°to 750°C ., an oxidation rate equivalent to 1 3.6 kg. of carbon per hour per feet squared of reactor cross section could be readily maintained. In the fluorination step the bed material containing the nonvolatile oxidation products was introduced as a single charge into a separate reactor and brought in contact with fluorine at 450°to 550°C. Over-all uranium recoveries of >99% were obtained.

No abstract

This report WM prepared an an account of Government sponsored work. Neither the Ulllted Bwics, U~J he Gu~llulisJhr~~, UUI m y plwn UIS Ln.Iduf Q~C Cbuuu&orl. A. Makes any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usdulness of the information contained in this report, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, or p r o w W o s e d in this repon may not mntnnge gtrvtite1p m e d nightg; tif B. Assumes m y liabilities with respect to the use OK or for damage3 m u l l i~g Gum (he use of m y informatinn, apparatus, method, or proccas disclosed in this report. As used in the above, "person acting on behalf of the Commission" includes any employee or contractor of the Commission, or employee of such contractor, to the extent that.such employee or contractor of the Commission, or employee of such contractor prepar~~, d i w m i n i t t~, nr providmi GEM to, any information pwuant. ta hk ernployment or contract with the Commission, or his employment with such contractor.

No abstract

TMs report m a s pramredan account of Qwsrnment ~ponaorsd work. Natk the unltad Wtoa, nor the Oommisaioa, nor any p e r m .ctlaE oo b o l d of tbe C o w M o n r A. Makes anrwr~11tu or npreaentatlon, expressed or implied, wlth rerpra to t b -a-rLeJ. cWWlwfJS, Or liaefuluana of tbs MoruuUa~ coatrlnsd in thi. report, or t b t the tw of .ny iufor-tion, appultrrs. method, or WOWM disclosad In ml. m~r t mpg not t&m ' I PriPztcry o m rights: or B. A u u m e s W~t l e s~w~t o t b s l l s e o f . o r f o r d a b m g e a r~d~h L b . w e d uy infwmam apprpam. metbod, or pwesrr I H U C I O~ in thld report.