METHOD OF GASIFYING NONVOLATILE COMPOUNDS IN GAS CENTRIFUGE ROUTES Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC C01G43/06 

FIELD: radioactive compounds technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to technology of separation of uranium isotopes in gas centrifuges and can be used for cleaning and passivation of gas centrifuges as well as restoration of passability of routes of gas centrifuges operated in uranium hexafluoride medium. Method is implemented with gas centrifuge operated at nominal rotation speed. Fluorination compound in the form of iodine heptafluoride is added to centrifuge routes at its pressure from 60 to 7000 Pa in gas centrifuge routes. Discharge of JF₇ and gasification products from gas centrifuge is effected through heavy fraction route to cold trap and through light fraction route to cryogenic trap. JF₇ is returned from traps to gas centrifuge feeding route. Gasification control is based on gas centrifuge friction power variation. Method enables gasification nonvolatile compounds without visible traces of corrosive effects of fluorination compound on the parts of rotor group of gas centrifuge. Method further simplifies gasification of nonvolatile compounds and enables controlled restoration of passability of gas centrifuge routes. Before supplying uranium hexafluoride, working surfaces of gas centrifuges are cleaned and passivated.

EFFECT: simplified technology, achieved restoration of fluorination compound, minimized centrifugal equipment shutdown, tens times reduced restoration time of gas centrifuge route passability, and tens times reduced consumption of fluoro-oxidant.

9 cl, 4 dwg, 2 ex