Uranium, thorium, and plutonium are effectively prepared by magnesium-zinc reduction, using uranium oxides, thorium dioxide, and plutonium dioxide as starting materials. This technique is also useful in performing reduction of metals such as zirconium and titanium

Knighton, J. B.

Steuneberg, R. K.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1967	 Brief 67-10579 
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AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
FES
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Magnesium—Zinc Reduction Is Effective in Preparation of Metals 
The preparation of metals by magnesium-zinc re-
duction has been studied, using uranium oxides, 
thorium dioxide, and plutonium dioxide as starting 
materials. The effects of flux composition, tempera-
ture, agitation, magnesium oxide loading in the flux, 
and starting material particle size on the rate and 
extent of reduction were investigated. 
In the laboratory procedure for preparation of 
uranium, uranium oxide was suspended in a flux com-
posed of alkali and alkaline earth halides. It was 
then reduced by vigorous mixing with Zn/5Mg alloy 
at temperatures between P650° and 8000 C. The re-
ductions were conducted in an alumina crucible in air. 
As the uranium metal was produced, it dissolved in 
the liquid-metal alloy, and was later recovered by 
vacuum distillation Laboratory-scale (4 g of uranium) 
reduction of 'U 308 was more than 99% complete in 
periods as short as 10 minutes. Uranium losses in the 
process were well below l%. 
In the preparation of thorium, the reduction rates 
of thorium dioxide were slower than those obtained 
with U308, but the effects of changes in flux composi-
tion were similar. A reduction of more than 99% was 
obtained in less than 4 hours, and product purities 
of up to 99.7% were achieved. Thorium tetrafluoride is 
also readily reduced by the magnesium-zinc alloy. 
In the preparation of plutonium, the reduction rate 
of plutonium dioxide, unlike those of uranium and 
thorium oxides, was relatively independent of flux 
composition. The most satisfactory reductions at 
8000 C were obtained with a magnesium concentration 
of about 10 wt% in the liquid-metal phase. The use 
of plutonium dioxide instead of fluorides as the start-
ing material has the advantage of greatly reducing the 
neutron-emission hazard resulting from (a,n) reac-
tions. Plutonium losses from incomplete reduction 
were less than 1%.
Notes: 
1. The techniques used in these reductiOns would be 
useful to organizations performing reduction of 
metals such as zirconium and titanium. 
2. Additional information including experimental 
procedures, reduction requirements, discussion, 
and conclusions is available in Preparation of 
Metals by Magnesium-Zinc Reduction, by J. B. 
Knighton and R. K. Steunenberg, ANL-7057, June 
1965, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, 
Illinois. The report is available from the Clear-
inghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical 
Information, Springfield, Virginia, 22151;$3.00 
each (microfiche, $0.65). 
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference: B67-10579 
Source: J. B. Knighton and R. K. Steunenberg 
Chemical Engineering Division 
(ARG-10050) 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for commercial 
use of this innovation may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Gro.up 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Category 03 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per- method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
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Magnesium-zinc reduction is effective in preparation of metals

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