a) Preparation of UF4 by carbochlorination of U3O8 and solid-state halogen exchange reaction

CRISTINA N. GUIBALDO; GEORGINA DE MICCO; BOHE, ANA ESTER

San Carlos de Bariloche

Congreso; 10th International Youth Nuclear Congress and 26th WiN Global Conference (IYNCWIN18); 2018

IYNCWIN-IAEA

Molten salt reactors, initially developed in the 1950s, use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant, at low pressure. Working at low pressure reduces the mechanic stress in the system, which simplifies the design and gets better the security. Besides, molten salt reactors have benefits in higher efficiencies and lower waste generation. Growing interest in this technology has led to renewed development activities in recent years. [1-2] In most reactor designs, the nuclear fuel (UF4) is dissolved in the refrigerant of molten fluoride salts. Typically, the UF4 is prepared using UO2 and HF as raw materials, at 823 K [3]. In order to avoid the use of HF, which is difficult to manipulate and corrosive, we have proposed a new method of synthesis of UF4. We have studied the thermodynamic feasibility to produce the halogen exchange by solid state reaction between UCl4 and NaF. Reactions are favorable in standard conditions, even at low temperature.