A conversion process of uranyl nitrate to metallic uranium

Production of uranium metal from pure uranyl nitrate hexahydrate was conducted. Wet method to produce UF4 which include ammonium diuranate, uranous sulphate as intermediates was done. UF4 obtained was reduced by 15-20 percent excess calcium metal granular in a steel bomb lined with pure fluorspar. Reduction was initiated by heating the loaded bomb in an electric furnace at about 900 degree C. Uranium metal product most of which was fine powder embedded in the slag only some found in granular form, has purify of 99.46 percent with trace of iron and calcium fluoride found as impurities, the contents were 91.4 and 200 ppm respectively. Granular and powder uranium metal which was removed from slag by grinding and sieving could be remelted by non transfer plasma flame. The uranium metal button obtained was found to have a density of greater than 18.10 g/cm3