Conversion of depleted uranium hexafluoride to a solid uranium compound

摘要

A process for converting UF₆ to a solid uranium compound such as UO₂ and CaF. The UF₆ vapor form is contacted with an aqueous solution of NH₄OH at a pH greater than 7 to precipitate at least some solid uranium values as a solid leaving an aqueous solution containing NH₄OH and NH₄F and remaining uranium values. The solid uranium values are separated from the aqueous solution of NH₄OH and NH₄F and remaining uranium values which is then diluted with additional water precipitating more uranium values as a solid leaving trace quantities of uranium in a dilute aqueous solution. The dilute aqueous solution is contacted with an ion-exchange resin to remove substantially all the uranium values from the dilute aqueous solution. The dilute solution being contacted with Ca(OH)₂ to precipitate CaF₂ leaving dilute NH₄OH.