Removal of technetium impurities from uranium hexafluoride
AssigneeUnited States Enrichment Corporation
InventorsAnthony J. Saraceno, Keith D. Banks
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Abstract
Processes for the removal of technetium from contaminated uranium hexafluoride containing technetium, typically as technetium-99 (.sup.99 Tc) in nominal chemical forms are provided. The processes involve contacting the contaminated liquefied uranium hexafluoride with a metal fluoride, typically magnesium fluoride (MgF.sub.2), for a period of time sufficient for the technetium to become adsorbed onto the metal fluoride thereby producing a purified uranium hexafluoride liquid; and removing the purified uranium hexafluoride liquid from the metal fluoride having adsorbed technetium.
Claims12
A process for the removal of technetium from contaminated liquefied uranium hexafluoride containing said technetium, said process comprising;
- (a) contacting said contaminated liquefied uranium hexafluoride with metal fluoride in solid form for a period of time sufficient for said technetium to become adsorbed onto said metal fluoride thereby producing a purified uranium hexafluoride liquid;
- and
- (b) removing said purified uranium hexafluoride liquid from said metal fluoride having adsorbed technetium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.