US 2020/0010335 A1 · METHOD TO PRODUCE SALTS CONTAINING ACTINIDE HALIDES

Abstract

A method of producing uranium halides is disclosed in which chlorine gas is introduced into a liquid uranium-nickel alloy. NaCl salt is surrounding the crucible containing the liquid uranium-nickel alloy, producing a eutectic mixture of NaCl—UCl3. Upon chlorination, the metal halide dissolves in the matrix salt forming a solution. Adding the reactant metal, uranium to the nickel, the alloy is able to remain molten throughout processing. The liquid metal alloy may be removed from the salt bath, while the halide gas continues to enter the system through the sparge until the desired composition of NaCl—UCl3—UCl4 is achieved. The method and system can be used to produce other metal halide salts such as actinide, lanthanide or transition metal halides contained in a matrix salt consisting of alkali and/or alkaline earth halides.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for producing salts of uranium halide, the method comprising:

a) establishing a molten salt bath;
b) confining uranium metal alloy within a specific region within the bath;
c) contacting the alloy with a halide gas in a first reaction to halogenate the uranium;
and
d) contacting the halogenated uranium with the salt bath in a second reaction to form a mixture comprising the salts.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method to produce salts containing actinide halides

Life of this patent

Method to produce salts containing actinide halides

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20