UF6 plasma chemistry reconstitution experiments using high-temperature fluorine

Prior results indicate techniques have been developed for fluid mechanical confinement of high-temperature uranium hexafluoride (UF3and) plasma for long test times while simultaneously minimizing uranium compound deposition on the walls. Follow-on investigations were conducted to demonstrate a UF3and/argon injection, separation, and reconstitution system for use with rf-heated uranium plasma confinement experiments applicable to UF3and plasma core reactors. A static fluorine batch-type regeneration test reactor and a flowing preheated fluorine/UF3and regeneration system were developed for converting all the nonvolatile uranium compound exhaust products back to pure UF3and using a single reactant. Pure fluorine preheat temperatures up to 1000 K resulted in on-line regeneration efficiencies up to about 90%; statis batch-type experiments resulted in 100% regeneration efficiencies but required significantly longer residence times. A custom-built, ruggedized time-of-flight (T.O.F.) mass spectrometer, sampling, and data acquisi- tion system permitted on-line quantiative measurements of the UF3and concentrations down to 30ppm at various sections of the exhaust system; this system proved operational after long-time exposure to corrosive UF3and and other uranium halides.