Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
PYROCHEMICAL PROCESS FOR THE REDUCTION OF PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE TO METAL.
Author: A Pyrochemical Process for the Reduction of Plutonium Dioxide to Metal
Author: Rowland E. FeltPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Plutonium
Languages : en
Pages : 28
Book Description
Pyrochemical Processing of Plutonium. Technology Review Report
Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Non-aqueous processes are now in routine use for direct conversion of plutonium oxide to metal, molten salt extraction of americium, and purification of impure metals by electrorefining. These processes are carried out at elevated temperatures in either refractory metal crucibles or magnesium-oxide ceramics in batch-mode operation. Direct oxide reduction is performed in units up to 700 gram PuO2 batch size with molten calcium metal as the reductant and calcium chloride as the reaction flux. Americium metal is removed from plutonium metal by salt extraction with molten magnesium chloride. Electrorefining is used to isolate impurities from molten plutonium by molten salt ion transport in a controlled potential oxidation-reduction cell. Such cells can purify five or more kilograms of impure metal per 5-day electrorefining cycle. The product metal obtained is typically> 99.9% pure, starting from impure feeds. Metal scrap and crucible skulls are recovered by hydriding of the metallic residues and recovered either as impure metal or oxide feeds.
Plutonium Processing in the Nuclear Weapons Complex
Author: Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 9781568065687
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 40
Book Description
Describes the methods and facilities for DOE's processing of plutonium for use in nuclear weapons. DOE no longer produces plutonium but processes and recycles the plutonium from retired nuclear weapons and the plutonium that remains as scrap or residue from plutonium processing. It has used two basic processes: aqueous and pyrochemical, at four processing sites, although only one site is currently operating. Photos, drawings and charts.
Reduction of Plutonium Dioxide to Plutonium Metal
Author: Major C. ThompsonPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Plutonium
Languages : en
Pages : 16
Book Description
Regeneration and Recycle of Spent Oxide Reduction Solvent Salts Used in Pyrochemical Plutonium Recovery Operations at Los Alamos
Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
One method used at Los Alamos for producing plutonium metal is to chemically reduce the oxide with calcium metal in molten CaCl2 at 850°C. The solvent CaCl2 from this reduction step is currently discarded as low-level radioactive waste because it is saturated with the reaction by-product, CaO. We have developed and demonstrated a molten salt technique for rechlorinating the CaO, thereby regenerating the CaCl2 and incorporating solvent recycle into the batch PuO2 reduction process. We discuss results from salt regeneration and recycle experiments, and present our plans for incorporating the technique into an advanced design for semi-continuous plutonium metal production.
Nuclear Materials
Author: United States. General Accounting OfficePublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear weapons
Languages : en
Pages : 44
Book Description
Direct Oxide Reduction (DOR) Solvent Salt Recycle in Pyrochemical Plutonium Recovery Operations
Author: Keith W. FifePublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Oxidation-reduction reaction
Languages : en
Pages : 21
Book Description
Pyrochemical Processes for the Recovery of Weapons Grade Plutonium Either as a Metal Or as PuO2 for Use in Mixed Oxide Reactor Fuel Pellets
Author: Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 6
Book Description
The authors have developed two processes for the recovery of weapons grade Pu, as either Pu metal or PuO2, that are strictly pyrochemical and do not produce any liquid waste. Large amounts of Pu metal (up to 4 kg.), in various geometric shapes, have been recovered by a hydride/dehydride/casting process (HYDEC) to produce metal ingots of any desired shape. The three processing steps are carried out in a single compact apparatus. The experimental technique and results obtained will be described. The authors have prepared PuO2 powders from weapons grade Pu by a process that hydrides the Pu metal followed by the oxidation of the hydride (HYDOX process). Experimental details of the best way to carry out this process will be presented, as well as the characterization of both hydride and oxide powders produced.
Pyrochemical Processes for the Recovery of Weapons Grade Plutonium Either as a Metal Or as PuO2 for Use in Mixed Oxide Reactor Fuel Pellets
Author: C. A. ColmenaresPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mixed oxide fuels (Nuclear engineering)
Languages : en
Pages : 7
Book Description