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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorPaul A. Haas
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This invention is a process for decomposing ammonium nitrate and/or selected metal nitrates in an aqueous solution at an elevated temperature and pressure. Where the compound to be decomposed is a metal nitrate (e.g., a nuclear-fuel metal nitrate), a hydroxylated organic reducing agent therefor is provided in the solution. In accordance with the invention, an effective proportion of both nitromethane and nitric acid is incorporated in the solution to accelerate decomposition of the ammonium nitrate and/or selected metal nitrate. As a result, decomposition can be effected at significantly lower temperatures and pressures, permitting the use of system components composed of off-the-shelf materials, such as stainless steel, rather than more costly materials of construction. Preferably, the process is conducted on a continuous basis. Fluid can be automatically vented from the reaction zone as required to maintain the operating temperature at a moderate value--e.g., at a value in the range of from about 130.degree.-200.degree. C.
In a process for decomposing, in an aqueous solution maintained at elevated temperature and pressure, a nitrate compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate and nuclear-fuel metal nitrates, said solution also containing a hydroxylated, organic, nitrate-reducing agent where said compound is a nuclear-fuel metal nitrate, the improvement comprising:
A process for the decomposition of ammonium nitrate, comprising:
A process for for decomposing ammonium nitrate in aqueous solution, said process comprising:
In a process for decomposing a metal nitrate in a pressurized, heated aqueous solution also containing a hydroxylated, organic, nitrate-reducing agent, said metal being one which hydrolyzes or precipitates in said solution to remove OH.sup.- therefrom, the improvement comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.