Manufacturing low enriched uranium metal by magnesiothermic reduction of UF4
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2017
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Annals of Nuclear Energy
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This work presents an experimental description of thermal and physical studies to attain a practical manufacturing
process of uranium metal enriched to 20% U235 (LEU – Low Enriched Uranium) by metallothermic
reduction of UF4, with nuclear purity, for reduced amounts (1000 g of uranium) and with radioactive
safety. Uranium metal is needed to produce nuclear fuel elements based on uranium silicide (intermetallic
U3Si2) and irradiation targets to produce Mo99. This process is a part of Brazilian efforts to fabricate the
fuel elements for its research reactors, primarily aiming at the production of radioisotopes for nuclear
medicine. The magnesiothermic reduction is influenced by variables which are related to the starting
material UF4 and the thermal conditions for its reduction. These variables are investigated. The physical
arrangement of the crucible/reduction reactor/furnace system and the management of the furnace thermal
input in the reduction reactor during the heating were studied. Thermal simulation experiments provided
delineation for the reactants’ thermal progress before the ignition of the metalothermic reaction.
The heat input to the reduction system has proved to be the main variable that influenced the efficiency
of the process. The levels of metallic yield and reproducibility have been improved, making the production
process reproductive and economically viable. The typical yield in the production of uranium metal
was above 80%. Unrecovered uranium metal is present in the MgF2 slag and can be recovered at the level
of 96% yield. The process of recovering the uranium from the slag is also discussed.
Como referenciar
DURAZZO, M.; SALIBA-SILVA, A.M.; MARTINS, I.C.; CARVALHO, E.F.U. de; RIELLA, H.G. Manufacturing low enriched uranium metal by magnesiothermic reduction of UF4. Annals of Nuclear Energy, v. 110, p. 874-885, 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2017.07.033. Disponível em: http://repositorio.ipen.br/handle/123456789/27736. Acesso em: 22 Feb 2025.
Esta referência é gerada automaticamente de acordo com as normas do estilo IPEN/SP (ABNT NBR 6023) e recomenda-se uma verificação final e ajustes caso necessário.