Thermodynamic Study of the Interaction Reaction of Ammonia and Uranium Hexafluoride

Abstract

Thermodynamic calculations of the interaction of gaseous uranium hexafluoride and ammonia were performed. Possible mechanisms for the recovery of uranium hexafluoride are examined. It is shown that the uranium in this system will be recovered mainly due to the ammonia proper and not the formed atomic hydrogen as previously believed. The calculations showed that the calorimetric, theoretical, and actual temperature of the interaction reaction of uranium hexafluoride and ammonia is numerically equal to ~0 K, i.e., uranium hexafluoride and ammonia react at any temperature. In application to the Kedr apparatus, it is concluded that the reactor walls must be cooled substantially or a cooling gas must be introduced into the reaction zone in amounts sufficient to compensate the heat of reaction in order to avoid an unpredictable rate of the flame process.