Manufacturing low enriched uranium metal by magnesiothermic reduction of UF4

• Autor(a) principal: DURAZZO, M.
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: SALIBA-SILVA, A.M., MARTINS, I.C., CARVALHO, E.F.U. de, RIELLA, H.G., EUROPEAN RESEARCH REACTOR CONFERENCE
• Tipo de documento: Artigo de conferência
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional do IPEN
• Texto Completo: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/29123
• topic: uranium; metals; nuclear fuels; materials recovery; enriched uranium; fuels; fabrication

This work presents an experimental description of thermal and physical studies to attain a practical manufacturing process of uranium metal enriched to 20% U235 (LEU???Low Enriched Uranium) by metallothermic reduction of UF4, with nuclear purity, for reduced amounts (1000g of uranium). The magnesiothermic reduction is influenced by the thermal conditions for UF4 reduction. These variables are investigated. The physical arrangement of the crucible/reduction reactor/furnace system and the management of the furnace thermal input in the reduction reactor during the heating were studied. Thermal simulation experiments provided delineation for the reactants??? thermal progress before the ignition of the reaction. The heat input to the reduction system has proved to be the main variable that influenced the efficiency of the process. The levels of metallic yield and reproducibility have been improved. The typical yield in the production of uranium metal was above 80%.