This lecture is in two parts. Uranium chemistry is covered in this lecture with an emphasis on separations and synthesis for the nuclear fuel cycle. Uranium is introduced with an overview of its chemistry for the fuel cycle. The solution chemistry of uranium is explored, focusing on uranyl. The molecular orbital of uranium is described. Separation of uranium by solvent extraction and ion exchange is presented. The enrichment of uranium from the uranium hexafluoride species is discussed, including diffusion, centrifuge, and laser methods. Oxide species of uranium are presented. Due to its potential as a nuclear fuel, the synthesis and properties of uranium metal and alloys are described in detail. With three different phase, the uranium metal exhibits more complex electronic behavior than the metals of the lighter actinides, a trend that continues to plutonium metal.
There was a lot of information on uranium chemistry and as a result it felt as though the lecture attempted to scratch the surface and provide a little bit of everything. I felt somewhat overwhelmed at the end of the lecture by the material. However, the homework problems provided at the end helped to direct the main points which ought to be gained from each part of the lecture.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I would say the main focus of this lecture is the fundamental uranium chemistry, especially formation of uranyl in solution. The enrichment techniques are central to the fuel cycle, so should also be stressed.
DeleteI liked most of the lecture actually. I understood a lot of the stuff at the end because I could relate it to my material science and engineering classes
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments. Good to hear about the material properties.
DeleteGlad to have yet another marketable skill to add to my resume (uranium enrichment).
ReplyDeleteI had previously only learned of the two enrichment technologies involving gaseous diffusion and centrifugation. However, I did learn about how isotopes could be separated using magnetic fields and a velocity selector, but never knew this idea was initially used for enrichment. Pretty interesting. The laser enrichment systems are completely new to me, though.
ReplyDeletethere are a few other enrichment technologies available. Some include exploiting small differences in chemical kinetics.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the chemical bonding and the separation topics of this lecture. Both the uranium and neptunium lectures are making me excited for the actinide coordination chemistry in the next few lectures.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the separations aspects involving uranium chemistry will be supplemented from other lectures on the fuel cycle.
DeleteF block metals and f orbitals are the most fascinating. I have questions regarding the f block contraction with atomic number and valence shell excitation energies.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any specific questions on the f-electrons we can discuss this. There are also links on the web page the provide more information on the subject.
DeleteI learned a bunch of new facts about uranium and Vegard's Law. I thought it was pretty cool that slide's 10 graph appeared to look similar to my group's UV/VIS results from the Uranium Solvent Extraction lab.
ReplyDeleteAlso nice to see how the basic information, such as the UV-Visible spectroscopy, can be observed in the lab.
ReplyDelete