Chemical oxidative destruction of organic compounds formed during dissolution of uranium carbide in nitric acid (Preprint No. CT-2)

This paper describes chemical methods for the destruction of organic compounds formed during dissolution of uranium carbide in nitric acid. When uranium carbide is dissolved in concentrated nitric acid and the resulting reddish-brown solution is refluxed for 24 hrs, about 80 per cent of the total initial carbon is oxidised to carbon dioxide. However, when uranium carbide is dissolved in nitric acid (≥ 6M) solution and refluxed for 4 hrs. and then sodium dichromate is added to the refluxed solution and refluxed for further 2 hrs, only 2 - 3 per cent of the total carbon initially present remains in the solution. (author). 8 refs