Method for producing uranium oxide from uranium tetrafluoride and a phyllosilicate mineral

摘要

A method for producing uranium oxide includes combining uranium tetrafluoride and a phyllosilicate mineral containing a solid oxidizing agent within the mineral's structure having a lower thermodynamic stability than the uranium oxide; heating the combination below the vapor point of the uranium tetrafluoride to sufficiently react the uranium tetrafluoride and the oxidizing agent to produce uranium oxide and a non-radioactive fluorine compound; and removing the fluorine compound.