Preparation of acid-deficient uranyl nitrate solutions
AssigneeX-energy, LLC
InventorsDaniel Brown, Nicholas Linneen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solution of acid deficient uranyl nitrate has a formula of UO2(OH)y(NO3)2-y, where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5. The solution is prepared by placing UxOz in aqueous nitric acid to produce a uranium solution, wherein x is 1 to 3 and z is 2 to 8; placing the uranium solution under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a sealed reaction chamber; and heating the uranium solution to a desired temperature of between 150° C. and 250° C. by applying microwave energy to the uranium solution. The uranium solution is maintained at the desired temperature under a pressure of from 5 atmospheres to 40 atmospheres for a hold time of 15 minutes to 6 hours to produce the desired acid deficient uranyl nitrate.
Claims19
A method of preparing a solution of acid deficient uranyl nitrate having a formula of UO2(OH)y(NO3)2-y, where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5, the method comprising:
- a) dissolving UxOz in aqueous nitric acid to produce a uranium solution, wherein x is 1 to 3 and z is 2 to 8;
- b) placing the uranium solution under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a sealed reaction chamber;
- c) heating the uranium solution to a desired temperature of between 150° C. and 250° C. by applying microwave energy to the uranium solution;
- d) maintaining the uranium solution at the desired temperature under elevated pressure for a desired hold time;
- e) partially venting the pressure on the uranium solution without allowing the uranium solution to boil;
- and
- f) reducing the desired temperature to below 100° C. and reducing the pressure on the uranium solution to atmospheric pressure to obtain an acid deficient uranyl nitrate solution.
A method of preparing a solution of acid deficient uranyl nitrate having a formula of UO2(OH)y(NO3)2-y, where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5, the method comprising:
- a) dissolving UO2(NO3)2 or a hydrate thereof in aqueous nitric acid to produce a uranium solution;
- b) placing the uranium solution under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a sealed reaction chamber;
- c) heating the uranium solution to a desired temperature of between 150° C. and 250° C. by applying microwave energy to the uranium solution;
- d) maintaining the uranium solution at the desired temperature under elevated pressure for a desired hold time;
- e) partially venting the pressure on the uranium solution without allowing the uranium solution to boil;
- and
- f) reducing the desired temperature to below 100° C. and reducing the pressure on the uranium solution to atmospheric pressure to obtain an acid deficient uranyl nitrate solution.
A method of preparing a solution of acid deficient uranyl nitrate having a formula of UO2(OH)y(NO3)2-y, where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5, the method comprising:
- a) dissolving UxOz in aqueous nitric acid to produce a uranium solution, wherein x is 1 to 3 and z is 2 to 8;
- b) placing the uranium solution under a pressure under a pressure of from 20 to 50 atmospheres in a sealed reaction chamber;
- c) heating the uranium solution by applying microwave energy to the uranium solution;
- d) maintaining the uranium solution at the desired temperature under elevated pressure for a desired hold time of between 15 min and 6 hours;
- e) partially venting the pressure on the uranium solution without allowing the uranium solution to boil;
- and
- f) reducing the desired temperature to below 100° C. and reducing the pressure on the uranium solution to atmospheric pressure to obtain an acid deficient uranyl nitrate solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.