An FT-IR Study of the Atmospheric Hydrolysis of Uranium Hexafluoride

Abstract

The handling and processing of UF₆ is accompanied by the potential for a reaction with water, usually as airborne moisture, and the subsequent risk of releasing airborne, particulate UO₂F₂ and gaseous hydrogen fluoride. We have studied this reaction under the simulated conditions of a “release” of UF₆, whereby hot, pressurized UF₆ gas suddenly escapes into ambient air. The “release” experiment simulates, on a small scale, the accidental mixing of UF₆ gas with the atmosphere in the absence of wind currents. The data obtained with the use of FT-IR spectroscopy have provided information which permits a much better understanding of the behavior of the evolved hydrogen fluoride, the residual water vapor, and the airborne, particulate UO₂F₂ and of their relation to each other.