Evaluation of an Engineering Demonstration of the Modified Zirflex and Neuflex Processes for the Preparation of Solvent Extraction Feeds from Unirradiated Zirconium-Base Reactor Fuels Page: 4
This report is part of the collection entitled: Technical Report Archive and Image Library and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
the dissolution of zirconium and tin while minimizing U02 dissolution.
If much uranium is dissolved, it results in uranium loss [U(IV) solubility
controlled] because the decladding solution is a waste stream and is not
sent through a recovery process. Ammonium nitrate is used as an oxidant
for tin dissolution and as a hydrogen depressant; it could be omitted,
producing a less corrosive environment, if finely divided elemental tin
could be permitted in the decladding waste and hydrogen in the off-gas
stream. Hydrogen peroxide could be used for tin oxidation or to reduce
corrosion, but it would also oxidize any U(IV) produced so that the uranium
loss would be rate controlled rather than solubility controlled.
In both Modified Zirflex and Neuflex (neutral fluoride extraction),
total dissolution of Zircaloy-clad U-Zr alloys is accomplished, with the
more soluble U(VI) as the ultimate product. Hydrogen peroxide is used as
the uranium oxidant, and it will also solubilize the tin. Ammonium nitrate
may be added as an additional tin oxidizer and hydrogen depressant. There
is only a fine distinction between the Modified Zirflex and Neuflex dissolu-
tion procedures, with the principal difference between them being in the
solvent extraction system. In Modified Zirflex, residual NH4NO3 is not
particularly objectionable because the final product is made about 1 M in
both HNO3 and A1(N03)3. (Some residual is inevitable if a low-hydrogen
off-gas is desired, because an excess of NH4NO3 must be used, and, even
then, some hydrogen is evolved.) In Neuflex, the presence of residual
NH4NOs introduces a foreign ion (NOs-) because the water dilution of the
product produces a neutral, purely fluoride system. This means that a
strict Neuflex dissolution produces a higher hydrogen concentration in
the gaseous effluent because less than the stoichiometric amount of NH4NO3
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View four pages within this report that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Kitts, F. G. Evaluation of an Engineering Demonstration of the Modified Zirflex and Neuflex Processes for the Preparation of Solvent Extraction Feeds from Unirradiated Zirconium-Base Reactor Fuels, report, March 1964; Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc100434/m1/10/?q=%22Chemistry%22: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.