Synthesis of powder uranium tetrafluoride from depleted uranium hexafluoride in hydrogen fluorine flame

Abstract

The mechanism of the formation of uranium tetrafluoride during the reduction of depleted uranium hexafluoride in hydrogen fluoride flame has been studied. Based on the performed studies, it has been found that powder uranium tetrafluoride with characteristics that enable it to be used for both long-term storage (a minimum specific surface area of 0.6 ± 0.1 m²/g and an untapped density of 2.7 g/cm³) and metallic uranium production (a maximum specific surface area of 1.45 m²/g) can be obtained by adjusting the operational regime of a flame reactor.