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Uranium oxide is a naturally occurring radioactive mineral used as a fuel and explosive. It is processed by grinding and oxidizing the ore, separating the uranium-rich liquid, and creating a concentrated solution. The compound can be further processed into enriched fuel and depleted uranium oxide, which is used in various applications. Raw uranium oxide is highly explosive and radioactive, posing health risks to those exposed to it.
Uranium oxide is a form of elemental uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive mineral. It appears as an oxide as a result of mineral exposure to oxygen, often in the air, but sometimes as a result of chemical manipulation in the laboratory. In its oxide form it is a rough powder with a crystalline structure, often black, gray or yellowish-brown; much depends on the nature of the soil in which it was extracted and on other environmental factors. It is also sometimes called uraninite, and is formally considered an “ore” of elemental uranium. It is the major source for commercial mining of uranium, which has numerous uses as a fuel and also as an explosive. It is usually mined from hydrothermal vein deposits and sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, and can also be recovered as a byproduct of gold and silver mining.
Basic properties
Uranium is a metallic chemical element that is weakly radioactive and has the highest atomic weight of all naturally occurring elements. It is about 70% denser than lead, but has a lower density than gold. Uranium has a wide range of both military and civilian applications, particularly in nuclear technology due to its ability to produce a sustained nuclear chain reaction.
Processing and oxidation
The first stage of processing involves grinding the uranium ore and adding water, until it reaches the consistency of mud. Ferric sulfate is used to oxidize uranium ore, which is dissolved in sulfuric acid. This uranium-rich liquid is separated and placed in contact with special resin beads that absorb the uranium ions. An acid wash is used to remove the element from the beads, creating a very concentrated solution.
An organic solvent is combined with the uranium solution, which is then mixed with ammonium sulfate. This leads to the precipitation of a substance known as ammonium diuranate, essentially a mixture of oxide solution and ammonia. The ammonium diuranate is then thickened and removed from solution using spin filters as a yellow paste. This paste is then roasted to remove all traces of ammonia, leaving behind the uranium oxide.
Enriched fuel production
The compound can be further processed into enriched fuel, which is sealed into metal fuel rods fed into nuclear reactors to produce the heat and steam needed to generate electricity. A byproduct of this enrichment process is depleted uranium oxide, which is no longer radioactive. Due to its high density, once depleted it can be used in applications where large masses must fit in small spaces, such as helicopter counterweights and yacht keels, and it is also used in the construction of radiation shielding, being much more effective than lead . The depleted oxides can also be used as colorants in the glass and ceramic industry.
Explosive properties
Raw uranium oxide is highly explosive and radioactive, which has traditionally made it useful as a component in some bombs and other detonating devices. It is not always stable and great care must usually be used in handling it, which can make it a less attractive option than alternatives, many of which are more readily available today. During World War II, Nazi troops are alleged to have stockpiled the compound, ostensibly for use in atomic bombs, and are also believed to have shipped large quantities of the powder to their allies during this time.
Radiation and health risks
Extensive exposure to any radioactive material poses certain health risks, and uranium and its minerals are no exception. Breathing in dust particles and eating food that has come into contact with the oxide can cause a variety of problems, the most immediate of which are breathing difficulties including lung collapse and organ failure. Scientists and researchers who work with the substance on a regular basis are also generally encouraged to wear protective clothing and clothing to avoid prolonged contact with the radioactive waves emitted by the chemical. Side effects from exposure are usually not immediate, but can include the development of advanced health problems, including various types of cancer.
