TWO STEP DRY UO2 PRODUCTION PROCESS UTILIZING A POSITIVE SEALING VALVE MEANS BETWEEN STEPS

摘要

The present invention provides a two-step process for producing nuclear grade, active uranium dioxide (UO₂) powder in which the first step comprises reacting uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) with steam in a flame reactor to yield uranyl fluoride (UO₂F₂); and the second step comprises removing fluoride and reducing UO₂F₂ to uranium dioxide (UO₂) in a kiln under a steam/hydrogen atmosphere. The two-step process, each step separated by a positive sealed valve means to prevent gas, particularly H₂ flow back, tightly controls the exothermicity of the reaction, which allows for a very tight temperature control which controls the growth of the particles and results in UO₂ powder that is active and of consistent morphology.