Operating experience of small scale uranium ingot production by calciothermic reduction of uranium tetrafluoride

Magnesiothermic reduction of uranium tetrafluoride is the conventional route for the production of uranium ingot at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Calcium is also used as reductant for this purpose, and offers greater heat of reaction with UF₄ than Mg. This greater heat of reaction can be utilized for smaller scale production, where heat losses are more compared to large scale reduction trials due to increased surface area to volume ratio. Some specific requirements, viz. processing of specific grade uranium; reduction trials for quality check of the UF₄ synthesized by some new processes e.g. direct reduction of UF₆, UO₂ prepared by dry route from UF₆ etc.; require small scale reduction of UF₄