Hydrogen Content of Cooled Uranium Hexafluoride-Hydrogen Fluoride Gas Mixtures

摘要

The knowledge of the hydrogen concentration of hydrogen fluoride (HF)/uranium hexafluoride (UF sub 6 ) gas mixtures when cooled below condensation or desublimation temperatures is necessary in determining fissile moderation for criticality safety considerations in UF sub 6 desublimation processes. The HF/UF sub 6 gas mixtures used in this study were initially at 126 exp 0 F (52 exp 0 C) and a maximum of 607 torr before cooling to 60 exp 0 F, 46 exp 0 F, 32 exp 0 F, 15 exp 0 F and 0 exp 0 F. Starting HF/UF sub 6 gas mixture volume ratios wre 10/90, 50/50, and 90/10. Visual evidence of liquid HF occurred only in the cooling of 90/10 mixtures at or below 32 exp 0 F. Maximum relative enhancement (factor of 3) of HF in the cooled mixture occurred at 15 exp 0 F from a 10/90 initial HF/UF sub 6 gas mixture. (ERA citation 06:020564)