Actions for Uranium isotope fractionation resulting from UF

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Uranium isotope fractionation resulting from UF/sub 6/ vapor distillation from containers

Author
Hedge, W. D.
Published
United States : [publisher not identified], 1985
Springfield, Va.: National Technical Information Service, [approximately 1985]
Physical Description
microfiche : negative ; 11 x 15 cm
Additional Creators
Turner, C. M.

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Summary
This empirical study for possible isotopic fractionation due to UF/sub 6/ vapor distillation from valved containers was performed to determine the effects of repeated vapor sampling. Four different experiments were performed, each of which varied by the method of measuring the isotopic contents and/or by the difference in temperature gradients as follows: The ratio of the parent UF/sub 6/ to the desublimed UF/sub 6/ collected at liquid nitrogen temperature and homogenized was measured by sampling the containers. The ratio of the parent UF/sub 6/ to the desublimed UF/sub 6/ collected at liquid nitrogen temperature and homogenized was measured by direct comparison to each other without subsampling. The ratio of the parent UF/sub 6/ to the desublimed UF/sub 6/ collected at liquid nitrogen and ice-water temperatures and homogenized was measured by indirect comparison to a common UF/sub 6/ reference material without subsampling. The ratio of the parent UF/sub 6/ to the desublimed UF/sub 6/ collected at liquid nitrogen temperature without homogenizing was measured by indirect comparison to a common UF/sub 6/ reference. Gas-phase, relative mass spectrometry was used for all isotopic measurements. Results of the study indicate that fractionation does occur. The U-235 isotope becomes more enriched in the parent container as the UF/sub 6/ is vaporized from it and desublimed into the receiving cylinder; i.e., the vaporized fraction is enriched in the U-238 isotope. The degree of fractionation indicates that the separation is due to the U-238 isotope of UF/sub 6/ having a higher vapor pressure than the U-235 isotope of UF/sub 6/. 3 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.
Report Numbers
DE85016924; K-2055
Other Subject(s)
Collection
NTIS collection.
Note
DOE contract number: AC05-84OT21400
OSTI Identifier 5502050
Research organization: Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA).
View MARC record | catkey: 47357352