Depleted Uranium as Hydrogen Storage Material

Abstract

Large amounts of depleted uranium kept as uranium fluoride or solid form after enrichment of natural uranium is sought to be utilized in the form of UNiAl intermetallic compound for hydrogen absorber. First principles calculation on UNiAl hydride has been performed in this study to predict the change of the crystal structure and the lattice constants with varying the hydrogen content. The results of the calculations have supported the experimental trends, suggesting that the present approach is promising in predicting the better hydrogen absorber based on depleted uranium.

Recent Progress in Functional Nanomaterials towards the Storage, Separation, and Removal of Tritium

“…[129] Moreover, U 2 Ti exhibited high durability against powdering, making it highly suitable for application to tritium storage, Yamawaki et al used firstprinciples calculations to analyze the crystal structures and lattice constants of various U-based alloys. [39] They predicted that UNiAl could be a promising hydrogen isotope storage system owing to its low absorption and desorption temperatures and superior powdering resistance. Titanium is inexpensive and is recommended for long-term tritium storage because it adsorbs two tritium atoms per Ti atom at a very low tritium pressure of approximately 1E −7 torr.…”

“…Scientists worldwide are developing state-of-the-art metalhydride-based T 2 handling equipment, which has been determined as the most suitable for safely storing T 2 compactly and at low pressures prior to eventually being separated and recycled, thereby minimizing accidental environmental release, and enhancing reactor operational safety. Various Zr-, [37,38] U-, [39] Ti-, [40] and Pd-based [41] and LaNi 5 alloys, [42] magnetic (ferromagnetic/paramagnetic) hydrides, [43] and highentropy alloys (HEAs) [5,[44][45][46][47][48][49] have been extensively studied for their tritium storage capabilities; all these alloys exhibit excellent adsorption/desorption at near ambient temperature and low pressures. Additionally, the facile metal hydride technology improves the operational efficiency of many current T 2 processing facilities, enabling them to save several million dollars.…”