Patent ID: 8192704
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: C01G,G21C,Y02E,Y02W

Abstract:
1. An atmospheric pressure plasma fluoride method of extracting uranium from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) particles (containing oxides of uranium (U), fission products (FP), and transuranic (TRU) elements (including plutonium)), comprising: a) volumetrically subjecting said SNF particles to an atmospheric pressure pulsed microwave induced plasma of hydrogen to reduce said oxides of uranium, FP, and TRU from their oxide state; b) volumetrically subjecting said SNF particles to an atmospheric pressure pulsed microwave induced plasma of fluorine to form gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF c) during subjection of said SNF particles to said fluorine plasma, maintaining the temperature in the range of 1200-2000 K to: i) allow any PuF d) removing said UF