A process for generating droplets with a modulatable droplet size distribution, comprises: making a stream of liquid strike a support with a given relative impact velocity; making said support vibrate at at least one vibration frequency; heating said support to a impact temperature such that the liquid film formed by the impact and made to vibrate is heated to a principal temperature to form in combination what are called principal droplets from said film; and transporting said droplets via a transfer/braking/sorting system to a liquid for precipitating the principal droplets, said transportation being carried out at a transportation temperature, all of these parameters, namely the relative impact velocity, the vibration frequency, the principal temperature and the transportation temperature allowing the droplet size of said formed principal droplets and the velocity of the latter to be modulated. A device allowing the process to be implemented is also provided.

A process for generating droplets with a modulatable droplet size distribution, comprises: making a stream of liquid strike a support with a given relative impact velocity; making said support vibrate at at least one vibration frequency; heating said support to a impact temperature such that the liquid film formed by the impact and made to vibrate is heated to a principal temperature to form in combination what are called principal droplets from said film; and transporting said droplets via a transfer/braking/sorting system to a liquid for precipitating the principal droplets, said transportation being carried out at a transportation temperature, all of these parameters, namely the relative impact velocity, the vibration frequency, the principal temperature and the transportation temperature allowing the droplet size of said formed principal droplets and the velocity of the latter to be modulated. A device allowing the process to be implemented is also provided.

Metal oxides having a lower activation temperature and enhanced oxygen mobility are disclosed. The metal oxides comprise oxygen (O), cerium (Ce) and one or both of iron (Fe) and uranium (U). Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrogen or carbon monoxide from water or carbon dioxide using the metal oxides.

A system for extracting uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA), includes an ion exchange resin or solvent extractor for separating uranium from WPA to produce a loaded uranium solution stream and a uranium depleted WPA stream. An ion exchange resin is positioned to receive the loaded uranium solution stream and bind uranium species thereto. An anion solution stream is positioned to feed a solution comprising anions onto the ion exchange resin to form a loaded uranium eluant stream. The loaded uranium eluant stream may then be treated to provide a uranium containing product.

A method of synthesizing rubidium uranium fluoride crystals. The method includes combining uranium-based feedstock with a mineralizer solution that includes a rubidium fluoride. The feedstock and mineralizer solution are pressurized and a thermal gradient applied thereto such that a first portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution is heated to a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a second portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution. Uranium nutrient enters the mineralizer solution from the feedstock in the first portion and uranium nutrient precipitates to spontaneously form crystals in the second portion.

A method of synthesizing uranium dioxide crystals. The method of synthesizing includes combining a uranium-based feedstock with a mineralizer solution. The uranium-based feedstock is selected from uranium dioxide, uranium tetrafluoride, uranium tetrachloride, triuranium octoxide, and uranium trioxide. The feedstock and mineralizer solution are pressurized, and then a thermal gradient is applied thereto such that a first portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution is heated to a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a second portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution. The uranium nutrient enters the mineralizer solution from the feedstock in the first portion and uranium nutrient precipitates to spontaneously form crystals in the second portion.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product. In alternative embodiments, in the single cycle case, the intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is evaporated to decompose the ammonium carbonate and produce an intermediate uranium carbonate/oxide solid material. These solids are digested in an acid medium, and then processed in the same manner as the secondary regeneration solution from the dual cycle process to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide that is calcined to produce a final uranium oxide product.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product. In alternative embodiments, in the single cycle case, the intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is evaporated to decompose the ammonium carbonate and produce an intermediate uranium carbonate/oxide solid material. These solids are digested in an acid medium, and then processed in the same manner as the secondary regeneration solution from the dual cycle process to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide that is calcined to produce a final uranium oxide product.

A method of synthesizing alkali uranium fluorophosphate crystals. The method includes combining a uranium-based feedstock with a mineralizer solution. The mineralizer solution includes an alkali nutrient, a phosphate, and a fluoride. The feedstock and mineralizer solution are pressurized and a thermal gradient applied thereto such that a first portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution is heated to a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a second portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution. Uranium nutrient enters the mineralizer solution from the feedstock in the first portion and uranium nutrient precipitates to spontaneously form crystals in the second portion.

A method to activate U.sub.3O.sub.8 for conversion of this uranium oxide to hydrated UO.sub.4 via reaction with hydrogen peroxide H.sub.2O.sub.2, wherein the following successive steps are performed: a) an aqueous suspension is prepared containing a powder of U.sub.3O.sub.8 and hydrogen peroxide; b) the aqueous suspension containing a powder of U.sub.3O.sub.8 and hydrogen peroxide is contacted with ozone, whereby an aqueous suspension is obtained of a powder of activated U.sub.3O.sub.8; c) optionally the powder of activated U.sub.3O.sub.8 is separated from the aqueous suspension.

A method to convert U.sub.3O.sub.8 to hydrated UO.sub.4 of formula UO.sub.4, nH.sub.2O where n is 2 or 4, comprising at least one step at which hydrogen peroxide H.sub.2O.sub.2 is added to the aqueous suspension of a powder of activated U.sub.3O.sub.8 obtained at the end of step b) of the activation method or to an aqueous suspension prepared by placing in suspension in water the powder of activated U.sub.3O.sub.8 obtained at the end of step c) of the activation method.