METALLIC URANIUM OBTAINING METHOD Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC C25C3/34 C22B60/02 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: metallic uranium obtaining method involves electrolysis of uranium dioxide in the melt of lithium and potassium chlorides in an electrolysis unit with a graphite anode and a metal cathode and release of metallic uranium on the cathode and carbon dioxide on the anode. First, mixtures of uranium dioxide and carbon are prepared in molar ratio of 6:1 and 1:1 by crushing the corresponding powders; the obtained powders are briquetted into pellets. To the anode space of the electrolysis unit, which is formed with a vessel with porous walls, which is arranged in a ceramic melting pot, there loaded are pellets obtained from mixture of uranium dioxide and carbon, and melt of lithium and potassium chlorides. To the cathode space of the electrolysis unit, which is formed with the vessel walls with porous walls and the ceramic melting pot, there loaded is melt of lithium and potassium chlorides and uranium tetrachloride in the quantity of 5-15 wt % of lithium and potassium chlorides. Electrolysis is performed at the electrolyte temperature of 500-600°C, cathode density of current of 0.5-1.5 A/cm², anode density of current of 0.05-1.5 A/cm², in argon atmosphere with periodic loading to anode space of pellets of mixture of uranium dioxide and carbon.

EFFECT: current yield of metallic uranium is 80-90% of theoretical.

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