The Absorption Spectrum of UOCl2 in Molten Chloride Salts

Abstract

The absorption spectrum of UOCl₂ in molten KCl-MgCl₂ salts has been measured and compared with that of the related UCl₄ spectrum at temperatures up to 932°C and melt compositions of 60–40, 34–66, and 0–100 mol %, respectively, KCl-MgCl₂. The species UOCl₂ is an important intermediate in the conversion of UO₂ to UCl₄ and its spectrum provides a means of monitoring the reaction, and other similar reactions, in situ. The solubility of UOCl₂ has been determined from absorption spectra and has been found to be 10 to 25 times higher than reported earlier with mole fractions as high as 0.0019 in pure MgCl₂ at 932°C.