Claims
- 1. A method for the preparation of a uranium compound selected from the group consisting of uranium monocarbide, uranium dioxide and uranium nitride which comprises amalgamating uranium electrolytically from an aqueous solution in a cell having two compartments with an ion exchange membrane in between for the purpose of adjusting the pH during the course of the electrolysis, thermally decomposing the electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam in a vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere and subsequently or simultaneously reacting the thermally decomposed electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam with a gas selected from methane, water vapor and nitrogen at a temperature below 1200.degree. C. to form the desired compound.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction is performed at a temperature of between 500.degree. and 700.degree. C.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said thermally decomposed electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam is reacted with methane to form uranium monocarbide.
- 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said thermally decomposed electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam is reacted with water vapor to form uranium dioxide.
- 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said thermally decomposed electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam is reacted with nitrogen to form uranium nitride.
- 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction is performed simultaneously with the thermal decomposition of the electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam.
- 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction is performed subsequently to the thermal decomposition of the electrolytically obtained uranium amalgam.
- 8. In a method for the preparation of uranium monocarbide by the reaction of uranium with methane, the improvement which comprises utilizing as the uranium reactant, uranium formed by the thermal decomposition of a uranium amalgam electrolytically obtained from an aqueous solution in a cell having two compartments with an ion exchange membrane in between for the purpose of adjusting the pH during the course of the electrolysis.
- 9. In a method for the preparation of uranium dioxide by the reaction of water vapor with uranium, the improvement which comprises utilizing as the uranium reactant, uranium formed by the thermal decomposition of a uranium amalgam electrolytically obtained from an aqueous solution in a cell having two compartments with an ion exchange membrane in between for the purpose of adjusting the pH during the course of the electrolysis.
- 10. In a method for the preparation of uranium nitride by the reaction of nitrogen with uranium, the improvement which comprises utilizing as the uranium reactant, uranium formed by the thermal decomposition of a uranium amalgam electrolytically obtained from an aqueous solution in a cell having two compartments with an ion exchange membrane in between for the purpose of adjusting the pH during the course of the electrolysis.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 940,590, filed Sept. 8, 1978, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 707,706, filed July 22, 1976, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 614,479, filed Oct. 15, 1974, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,987.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry |
Lee, H. C. et al., "Electrolytic Amalgamation of Uranium Using an Ion Exchange Membrane", J.C.S. Chem. Comm. 1975, p. 124. |
Nuclear Science Abstract, 16:14810, Jun. 1962. |
Belle, J. Ed., Uranium Dioxide: Properties and Nuclear Applications, USAEC, 1961. |
Seaborg, G. T., "The Actinide Series", in Comprehensive Inorganic Chem., vol. 1, Van Nostrand Co., Princeton, 1953, pp. 192-193. |
Continuations (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
940590 |
Sep 1978 |
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Parent |
707706 |
Jul 1976 |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
614479 |
Oct 1974 |
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