Kinetic investigation of the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride gas. Issue 57 (18th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Richards, Jason M.; Martin, Leigh R.; Fugate, Glenn A.; Cheng, Meng-Dawn
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 10:Issue 57(2020)
• Page Start: 34729
• Page End: 34731
• Publication Date: 2020-09-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05520d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Direct observation of the hydrolysis reaction kinetics of gaseous UF6 have been measured under low-pressure conditions. Abstract : UF6 is commonly employed in enrichment technologies and is known to react rapidly with water vapor to form radioactive particulates and hydrofluoric acid vapor. The kinetics of the UF6 hydrolysis reaction have been observed directly for the first time. The rate appears to be half order and second order for UF6 and water, respectively, with a rate constant of 1.19 ± 0.22 Torr −3/2 s −1 . The proposed mechanism involves formation of the [UF6 ·2H2 O] adduct via two separate reactions.