Interaction of UF6 and UF4 with Methanol

Abstract

The results of investigations of interactions in the systems UF₆–CH₃OH and UF₄–CH₃OH in the gas phase at atmospheric pressure and temperature 350–450 and 550–650°C, respectively, are presented. A new method of converting UF₆ to UF₄ and UO₂ and water-free HF via its interaction with atomic hydrogen, whose source is methanol, is proposed on the basis of these results. The fact that atomic hydrogen is obtained at moderate temperature and is chemically active for subsequent processing of UF₄ and UO₂ of the required quality and the suitability of corrosion-resistant steel and nickel for the process hardware attest that this method of conversion of depleted uranium hexafluoride holds promise.