Development Of A UF<sub>6</sub> Alumina Conversion Process For The Mobile Uranium Facility

Year
2020
Author(s)
Darrell Simmons - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Tara Walker Walker - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Lee Trowbridge - Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Abstract

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a method for the collection of HEUF<sub>6</sub> that may be recovered during offshore deployments of the Mobile Uranium Facility (MUF) for the DOE Office of Nuclear Material Removal missions (NA-232). This presentation will describe the development of a unique alternative process for safe collection, packaging, compliant transport and storage of HEUF<sub>6</sub>. The development team was presented constraints when planning for the recovery of HEUF<sub>6</sub> during offshore uranium recovery deployments. Primary constraints were the safe handling and processing of HEUF<sub>6</sub> cylinders with unknown certification or questionable integrity, the transportation of HEUF<sub>6</sub> in a regulatory compliant manner from the origin country to the receiving country, and the delivery of HEUF<sub>6</sub> in an acceptable form for storage at a licensed location. After detailed analysis of the options available that would satisfy the mission needs and constraining requirements, a unique alternative process for the collection and storage of recovered UF<sub>6</sub> was developed. The collection of HEUF<sub>6 </sub>on dried γ-activated alumina pellets results in the conversion of HEUF<sub>6 </sub>to uranyl fluoride (HEUO<sub>2</sub>F<sub>2</sub>). The bound HEUO<sub>2</sub>F<sub>2 </sub>is much easier to transport and provides a more acceptable storage material than HEUF<sub>6</sub>. This novel method satisfies all of the primary requirements. Nondestructive analysis will be used to ensure safe handling and processing before the UF<sub>6 </sub>cylinder is connected to the processing system installed in a mobile CONEX box. The warmed cylinder will be UF<sub>6 </sub>vapor transferred to a series of γ-activated alumina traps under negative pressure at 50°C. When a trap is gravimetrically determined to be loaded, the uranium laden alumina pellets will be HEPA vacuum transferred using critically safe geometry to critically safe containers for storage, packaging and subsequent shipment to the final licensed location for disposition.