[ RadSafe ] Alleged FACTSHEET: From DUF6 to DU metal By Lizzy Bloem

[Roger Helbig]

Radsafers

Do you know or know anyone who is expert in DUF6 conversion to DU Metal who
can verify or refute the following?  I know that there was extensive
remediation of the StarMet site, but I suspect that a lot of this from the
International Campaign to Ban DU web site is not factual.  They appear to be
very well organized and well financed.  Follow the Facebook lead on this
page.  They have over 4000 followers and are gaining more every day.
Thanks.

Roger

http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/36.html

FACTSHEET: From DUF6 to DU metal By Lizzy Bloem
Depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) is the toxic and radioactive by-product
of the enrichment process. In conversion or processing plants DUF6 is
converted to DUF4, and subsequently to depleted uranium metal. This metal is
used in uranium weapons. 

29 September 2006 - ICBUW
DUF6 is readily available and inexpensive as raw material, since storage of
the huge stockpiles is costly. For example Starmet, US, obtained DUF4 at one
cent per pound (2.2 cents per kilo) from the Department of Energy. 

MSC conversion facility, Oak Ridge, USSeveral different companies may be
involved in converting DUF6 to depleted uranium weaponry, although in some
cases a single company handles the entire process. 

One facility may convert DUF6 to DUF4, while another converts DUF4 to
depleted uranium metal. Still other companies process, alloy, form and
machine the metal and assemble it into weaponry. As a result, facilities
with several production lines produce a highly contaminated mixed waste
stream. 

Process 

In the first step, DUF6 is reduced with hydrogen to produce depleted uranium
tetrafluoride (DUF4) and hydrogen fluoride (HF). DUF4 is also named 'green
salt' because of its characteristic colour. 

The second step is the reduction of green salt, usually with magnesium. The
chemicals are mixed in a crucible and heated in a furnace. The products of
this reaction are a uranium metal mass, referred to as a 'derby', and
magnesium fluoride (MgF2). 

Large scale processing of DUF6, including uranium powders, liquid and gas,
has great potential danger. Uranium powder is pyrophoric; it is susceptible
to auto-oxidation in the air and even to self-ignition. 

Waste 

Particles of uranium and uranium oxide, escaping in the process, contaminate
the air inside and outside the plants. Radiation can be measured miles
downwind. 

Wastewater contaminated by uranium may get physical-chemical treatment
before release to city sewers. Sludge from water coming from the thermal
treatment has to be handled as radioactive waste. 

The conversion processes lead to bulky wastes. Conversion of DUF6 into DUF4
produces the by-product hydrogen fluoride (HF). This gas is extremely
corrosive. HF even reacts with the containers holding it. It is possible
that contaminated HF is sold for commercial use. Since long-term storage of
hydrogen fluoride is dangerous, HF mostly converted to CaF2. For this, HF is
captured in a scrubber that mixes HF with water to form hydrofluoric acid,
which is then neutralised with lime, and calcium fluoride (CaF2) is formed.
This calcium fluoride waste is also contaminated with uranium. 

As a result of reduction of DUF4 (green salt) into uranium metal, a large
quantity of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) contaminated with uranium is produced.
This radioactive waste may be disposed of in a landfill or a disposal
facility, depending on its radioactivity and regulations. 

Past disposal practices at production sites resulted in contamination of
sewers, soil, groundwater, and municipal water supplies with DU and other
harmful substances. One of several examples is Starmet Corporation (former
Nuclear Metals), in Concord, Massachusetts, US. Starmet was a conversion and
production facility, that also made depleted uranium penetrators for
anti-tank weapons. From 1958 to 1985, the company disposed of 400,000 pounds
of depleted uranium and other radioactive and toxic waste into an unlined
holding basin on their property. No environmental measures were taken. It is
one of the most dangerous contaminated sites in the country. Groundwater
contamination from Starmet is headed towards the Assabet River which runs
into the Concord River which is the only source of drinking water for the
town of Billerica. A 'temporary' cleanup of the site is estimated at
US$500,000. Concord experiences elevated levels of different cancers
compared with the state average.