Interaction of UF6 and UF4 with Methanol

The results of investigations of interactions in the systems UF6–CH3OH and UF4–CH3OH in the gas phase at atmospheric pressure and temperature 350–450 and 550–650°C, respectively, are presented. A new method of converting UF6 to UF4 and UO2 and water-free HF via its interaction with atomic hydrogen, whose source is methanol, is proposed on the basis of these results. The fact that atomic hydrogen is obtained at moderate temperature and is chemically active for subsequent processing of UF4 and UO2 of the required quality and the suitability of corrosion-resistant steel and nickel for the process hardware attest that this method of conversion of depleted uranium hexafluoride holds promise.