Thermodynamic analysis and experimental study on the reduction of mixed oxides including uranium oxide by lithium

In order to determine the operating conditions of an uranium reduction proc ess with U3O8-Li-LiCl system, the operating conditions have been evaluated in thermodynamic aspects and the results were experimentally confirmed in t his study. All the reduction experiments were conducted in an argon atmosph eric glove box, and the resultant degree of reduction was determined by ana lyzing the product using XRD and TGA. In the results of this study, a reduc tion yield greater than 95% is achieved within about 3 hours of reaction. T he effects of the added quantity of ii and LiCl to the reduction yield of U 3O8 and the preferential removal of several metal oxides accompanying U3O8 in the course of reduction were discussed. For a greater reduction of U3O8, an additional 20% of Li is required when compared to the stoichiometric co mposition. The proper composition of LICl is about 75% based on the weight of U3O8 charged.