METHOD OF PRODUCING URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC C01G43/06 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used to produce nuclear fuel. Uranium metal is dissolved in a solvent containing hydrochloric acid with concentration of 50-200 g/dm³, and fluoride compounds of uranium (IV) with uranium concentration of 30-300 g/dm³ and molar ratio of uranium to fluorine equal to 1:(1.6-4.0). During the entire process of dissolving uranium metal, the said concentration of hydrochloric acid is kept on a constant level through its further addition. A hydrate of uranium tetrafluoride is precipitated from the obtained hydrofluoric acid solution. The pulp is washed with water, filtered, dried and the uranium tetrafluoride residue is roasted. The fluoride compounds of uranium can be obtained by heating uranium dioxide, uranium tetrafluoride or fluoride and chloride salts of uranium separately or together in the presence of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid.

EFFECT: method enables complete dissolution of metal, pike-like formation of hydrogen, reduces loss of material, chemical consumption and increases safety of the process.

2 cl, 1 tbl, 3 ex