GAS-SOLIDS REACTORS IN URANIUM PROCESSING: A CRITICAL REVIEW

The various developments in contractor design and performance associated with the preparation of large quantities of uranium hexafluoride and uranium metal are reviewed. Most of the discussion is concerned with the following chemical steps: the production of uranium trioxide from purified solutions of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate; the reduction of uranium trioxide to uranium dioxide with hy drogen; the reaction of uranium dioxide and hydrogen fluoride to produce uranium tetrafluoride; the conversion of uranium tetrafluoride, uranium oxides, and oxyfluorides to uranium hexafluoride with elemental fluorine; and the reduction of uranium hexafluoride with hydrogen to uranium tetrafluoride. The important features of reactor types developed for the feed production program are pointed out, and where possible, an analysis of reactor capability and potential is given. The bibliography contains 93 references. (N.W.R.)