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Revision as of 03:59, 15 June 2015
Uranium is a radioactive chemical element, member of the actinide group. It has the symbol U and atomic number 92. Because Uranium-238 has a half-life of 4.468 billion years, the great majority (99.284%) of natural uranium is composed of this isotope. The uranium with a higher concentration of U-238 than the U-235 isotope (the fissile isotope) is commonly known as depleted uranium (DU).
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Uranium reacts with almost all non-metal elements and their compounds, the reactivity increases at higher temperatures. It will quickly tarnish in air, forming a dark layer of uranium dioxide. Hydrochloric and nitric acids dissolve uranium, but non-oxidizing acids attack the element very slowly. When finely divided, it is very pyrophoric and can react with cold water.
Physical
Uranium is a silvery-white metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. Its density is 18.9 g/cm3 about 70% higher than that of lead, but slightly lower than that of gold or tungsten.
Availability
Uranium is available for sale at chemical suppliers such as United Nuclear in its depleted form. In the US it may require a license[1] above certain quantity[2]. Boeing 747 planes produced between 1968 and 1981 used triangular DU counterweights, before they were replaced with tungsten ones.[3] GoodFellow sells uranium foil and wire.
Uranium compounds, such as ammonium diuranate (aka "yellowcake") and uranium dioxide can also be purchased from United Nuclear.
Preparation
Uranium metal can be prepared by reducing its compounds with a more reactive metal, such as calcium. The reduction should be performed under inert conditions, as uranium is pyrophoric.
Projects
- Uranium glass
- Make uranium carbonate
- Element Collecting
Handling
Safety
Natural and depleted uranium is weakly radioactive and poses little radiation risk. The metal and its compounds are toxic to the organism and should be handled with proper protection. Inhalation of powdered depleted uranium or uranium compounds is dangerous due to it's status as an alpha emitter. The main danger with uranium is not its radiation (it can safely be handled by hand), but its toxicity on ingestion.
Bulk DU is difficult to ignite, but finely divided uranium is highly pyrophoric.
Storage
As uranium will slowly react with the air, it should be stored under oil or in an inert container. Because of it's low radioactive hazard, depleted uranium does not require radiation shielding (the storage container walls will effectively absorb the weak alpha radiation).
Disposal
As uranium compounds are toxic and is a heavy metal, it is recommended to avoid dumping the compounds in the environment and should be taken to waste disposal facilities.
If the uranium was extracted from its natural ore taken from an area where the said ore can be easily collected, it's not entirely a bad idea to dispose of the ore wastes as well as uranium compounds residues in the said area, as the ore area is already naturally contaminated and the amount of ore waste is the same as the one you originally picked it up.
References
- ↑ http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0025.html
- ↑ http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part040/part040-0013.html
- ↑ http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML0321/ML032180089.pdf
