About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
| Presentation Title |
High Purity UCl3 Synthesis Using NH4Cl |
| Author(s) |
Nathan Rood, Oliva R. Dale, Jarom L. Chamberlain, Marisa Monreal, Michael F. Simpson |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Nathan Rood |
| Abstract Scope |
The production of high purity UCl3 has been achieved through reaction of uranium metal with solid NH4Cl. This process eliminates the need for pressurized systems or hazardous gaseous feed reactants. The reaction is performed in two steps consisting of an initial formation of an intermediate compound that is used to buffer the uranium to the trivalent oxidation state. The intermediate can be thermally decomposed to produce the final UCl3 product. The formation of the intermediate is initially conducted between solid NH4Cl and the uranium metal between 220-320 C. This is conducted in a semi-sealed reactor vessel which maintains as much of the NH3 and HCl gasses produced in the headspace as possible without pressurizing the reactor. The intermediate ammonium-uranium-chloride species is then decomposed into solid UCl3 and gaseous NH3/HCl byproducts at 650 C under ambient pressure. The UCl3 produced can be used to support development of advanced nuclear technologies. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Extraction and Processing, |