UF4 to metallic uranium conversion process by metallothermy, using magnesium as a reducer

The process for converting UF4 to metallic uranium using Mg as a reducer is presented. Since the reaction involved is highly exothermic it's necessary to consider the maximum pressure that the reactor could reach, >10 MPa (> 99 atm). This big risk factor is the result of the presence of different gases, such as water, hydrofluoric acid and the over stoichiometry quantity of magnesium, 10, 12, 15 %, which is vaporized during the reaction. Given the morphological features of the powder uranium compound used as raw material, it was milled to a certain of particle size distribution and after the UF4 was mixed Mg. Different thermal profiles were defined with different heating programs in order to minimize the temperature differences inside the load, obtaining a maximum temperature difference inside the load of 67K. Yields of 82, 90) and 90% and ingots from approximately 5000 g were obtained in the three tests (author)