Nuclear Proliferation TechnologyTrends Analysis - International ...

PNNL -14480
Technology Sufficient Technology Level Critical Materials
Liquid-liquid
exchange
columns
Liquid-liquid
centrifugal
contactors
Electrochemical
reduction
systems and
reduction cells
Feed preparation
systems
Uranium
oxidation
systems
Ion exchange
columns
Ability to produce pipes of various diameters
and lengths that are internally coated with
material resistant to UCl and have mechanical
power input systems to provide mixing of two
immiscible liquids with residence times of < 30
seconds.
Capability to build and operate centrifuge
systems that disperse and separate two
immiscible liquids with stage residence times
of < 30 seconds and are corrosion resistant to
concentrated UCl.
Skills in the design, production, and operation
of reduction cells that are corrosion resistant to
concentrated UCl and prevent the re-oxidation
of U3+ to U4+
Ability to prepare high-purity aqueous
solutions of uranium chloride. Concentration of
certain metal ions such as chromium, iron,
vanadium molybdenum, and other bivalent or
higher multivalent cations must be more than a
few parts per million.
Knowledgeable in the operation of systems for
the oxidation of U 3+ to U 4+ . Familiarity with the
handling of chlorine and oxygen gases and
distillation of UCl solutions.
Ability to design, construct, and operate
cylindrical columns > 1 m in diameter made of
or protected by materials resistant to
concentrated UCI and are capable of operating
at a temperature of 100 o C to 200 o C and
pressures >0.7Mpa (102psi)
Corrosion resistant pipes and their internals made
of or protected by suitable plastic materials (such
as fluorocarbon polymers) or glass
None identified
Parts in contact with process stream: suitable
materials (glass, fluorocarbon polymers,
polyphenyl sulfate, polyether sulfone, and resinimpregnated
graphite) to avoid contamination of
aqueous stream with certain metal ions.
Electrodes (graphite).
Parts in contact with final feed solutions: suitable
materials (glass, fluorocarbon polymers, polyphenyl
sulfate, poly-ether sulfone, and resinimpregnated
graphite) to avoid contamination of
the aqueous stream with certain metal ions.
For portions of system processing high-purity
U3+ streams: suitable materials (glass,
fluorocarbon polymers, polyphenyl sulfate,
polyether sulfone, and resin-impregnated
graphite) to avoid contamination
Fast–reacting ion exchange resins or absorbents
Unique Test, Production, and Inspection
Equipment
Mechanical power systems. Sieve plates,
reciprocating plates. Or internal turbine mixers
Contractors made of or are lined with suitable
plastic materials (such as fluorocarbon polymers)
or with glass
Potentiometers
Analytical equipment to monitor purity of
solutions
Potentiometers
Provide characteristics of glass substrate and
resin
Unique Software and
Parameters
None identified
None identified
Precise control of uranium
valence
None identified
Accurate control of
uranium valence
Physical and chemical
characteristics of resin
Table 12 Technologies and components used in chemical and isotope exchange enrichment facilities
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