METHOD AND PLANT FOR DIRECT CONVERSION OF URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE INTO URANIUM OXIDE Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: methods and plants for conversion of uranium hexafluoride into uranium oxide. SUBSTANCE: method includes supply of reagents to reactor 12 provided with means for supply of UF₆, stream and nitrogen made in the form of injector with three concentric nozzles. Produced power of UOF₂ is passed to body 68 of tube furnace provided with heating means 82. Body 68 is located in heat-insulating structure 70. Steam and hydrogen are supplied in countercurrent flows. Heat quantity is regulated to provide for at least five temperature zones on path of powder motion. Gas temperature in inlet zone is 570-700 C. Temperature is raised to maximum value of 730-800 C in the third zone or downstream. Gradual temperature drop to lat zone is provided in which temperature is sufficient for reduction of high oxides to UO₂. EFFECT: constant composition and higher quality of obtained product. 6 cl, 9 dwg