A thermogravimetric study of copper chlorination

Metals and alloys chlorination is being studies as part of the HALOX process which belongs to CNA. The aim of this project is to develop a possible way of conditioning for the spent nuclear fuels from research reactors. The chlorination of metallic copper under isothermal conditions was studies by thermogravimetry in the range of temperatures between 100 and 800oC. The effects of gas flow rate was analyzed. The starting temperature for the reactions of copper with chlorine was determined at about 150oC by non-isothermal measurements. The products of reaction at the different temperatures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and their physicochemical behavior was studies in chlorine and argon atmosphere (au)