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

[blreider at aol.com]

I am sure you can find the chemical process in many reports Roger.  

The State of MA and the EPA have been in the process of cleaning up the Nuclear Metals/Starmet site in MA since about 2005.  If Starmet bought the DU for so little a price it was a while back as Starmet has been out of business for a while and the DU was stored there for quite a long time.   Here's the EPA factsheet with a status of this Superfund site:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/r1/npl_pad.nsf/f52fa5c31fa8f5c885256adc0050b631/7B6349F1A22FFDF3852569E5006CA840?OpenDocument

Barbara Reider, CHP






-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Helbig <rhelbig at sfo.com>
To: Radsafe <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Sent: Fri, Apr 23, 2010 11:29 pm
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Alleged FACTSHEET: From DUF6 to DU metal By Lizzy Bloem


Radsafers
Do you know or know anyone who is expert in DUF6 conversion to DU Metal who
an verify or refute the following?  I know that there was extensive
emediation of the StarMet site, but I suspect that a lot of this from the
nternational Campaign to Ban DU web site is not factual.  They appear to be
ery well organized and well financed.  Follow the Facebook lead on this
age.  They have over 4000 followers and are gaining more every day.
hanks.
Roger
http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/36.html
FACTSHEET: From DUF6 to DU metal By Lizzy Bloem
epleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) is the toxic and radioactive by-product
f the enrichment process. In conversion or processing plants DUF6 is
onverted to DUF4, and subsequently to depleted uranium metal. This metal is
sed in uranium weapons. 
29 September 2006 - ICBUW
UF6 is readily available and inexpensive as raw material, since storage of
he huge stockpiles is costly. For example Starmet, US, obtained DUF4 at one
ent per pound (2.2 cents per kilo) from the Department of Energy. 
MSC conversion facility, Oak Ridge, USSeveral different companies may be
nvolved in converting DUF6 to depleted uranium weaponry, although in some
ases a single company handles the entire process. 
One facility may convert DUF6 to DUF4, while another converts DUF4 to
epleted uranium metal. Still other companies process, alloy, form and
achine the metal and assemble it into weaponry. As a result, facilities
ith several production lines produce a highly contaminated mixed waste
tream. 
Process 
In the first step, DUF6 is reduced with hydrogen to produce depleted uranium
etrafluoride (DUF4) and hydrogen fluoride (HF). DUF4 is also named 'green
alt' because of its characteristic colour. 
The second step is the reduction of green salt, usually with magnesium. The
hemicals are mixed in a crucible and heated in a furnace. The products of
his reaction are a uranium metal mass, referred to as a 'derby', and
agnesium fluoride (MgF2). 
Large scale processing of DUF6, including uranium powders, liquid and gas,
as great potential danger. Uranium powder is pyrophoric; it is susceptible
o auto-oxidation in the air and even to self-ignition. 
Waste 
Particles of uranium and uranium oxide, escaping in the process, contaminate
he air inside and outside the plants. Radiation can be measured miles
ownwind. 
Wastewater contaminated by uranium may get physical-chemical treatment
efore release to city sewers. Sludge from water coming from the thermal
reatment has to be handled as radioactive waste. 
The conversion processes lead to bulky wastes. Conversion of DUF6 into DUF4
roduces the by-product hydrogen fluoride (HF). This gas is extremely
orrosive. HF even reacts with the containers holding it. It is possible
hat contaminated HF is sold for commercial use. Since long-term storage of
ydrogen fluoride is dangerous, HF mostly converted to CaF2. For this, HF is
aptured in a scrubber that mixes HF with water to form hydrofluoric acid,
hich is then neutralised with lime, and calcium fluoride (CaF2) is formed.
his calcium fluoride waste is also contaminated with uranium. 
As a result of reduction of DUF4 (green salt) into uranium metal, a large
uantity of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) contaminated with uranium is produced.
his radioactive waste may be disposed of in a landfill or a disposal
acility, depending on its radioactivity and regulations. 
Past disposal practices at production sites resulted in contamination of
ewers, soil, groundwater, and municipal water supplies with DU and other
armful substances. One of several examples is Starmet Corporation (former
uclear Metals), in Concord, Massachusetts, US. Starmet was a conversion and
roduction facility, that also made depleted uranium penetrators for
nti-tank weapons. From 1958 to 1985, the company disposed of 400,000 pounds
f depleted uranium and other radioactive and toxic waste into an unlined
olding basin on their property. No environmental measures were taken. It is
ne of the most dangerous contaminated sites in the country. Groundwater
ontamination from Starmet is headed towards the Assabet River which runs
nto the Concord River which is the only source of drinking water for the
own of Billerica. A 'temporary' cleanup of the site is estimated at
S$500,000. Concord experiences elevated levels of different cancers
ompared with the state average.
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