An experimental study on the reduction of uranium oxide by lithium

A study on the reduction of U3O8 powder by using lithium(Li) reductant in a lithium chloride (LiCl) medium was carried out via the experimental approach. The effects of the experimental variables on the reduction yield of the U3O8-Li-LiCl system were examined. All the reduction experiments were conducted in an argon atmospheric glove box, and the resultant degree of reduction was determined by analyzing the product using XRD and TGA. In the results of this study, the maximum reduction yield greater than 95% is achieved within about 3 hours of reaction. Even if the reduction yield is slightly increased with an increased reaction temperature, the effect of temperature on the reduction yield of U3O8 is not evident. The effects of the added quantity of Li and LiCl to the reduction yield were also discussed. For a greater reduction of U3O8 an additional 20% of Li requires when compared to the stoichiometric composition. The proper composition of LiCl is about 75 wt% based on the weight of U3O8 charged. (author)