Surface reactivity of uranium hexafluoride (UF6)

Abstract

The present article reviews a selection of results obtained in the AREVA/CNRS/UCA joint research laboratory. It focuses on interfaces formed by uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 ) with chemical filter (purification), carbon (UF 6 storage), and metallic substrate (corrosion). As a matter of fact, along the nuclear fuel cycle, metallic surfaces of the fluorination reactors, cooling systems (for the liquefaction of UF 6 ), and storage containers are in contact with UF 6 , either in the gas or in the liquid phase. For the removal of volatile impurities before the enrichment, surface of chemical filters with a high specific surface area must be enhanced for both selectivity and efficiency. To store depleted UF 6 ( 238 U), graphite intercalation compounds are proposed and preliminary results are presented.