A method and system are provided for the creation of vertical and horizontal freeze wells, in a dome-like pattern around the ore body, as a hydraulic barrier to ensure the ISR mining solution and the mined minerals do not flow out of the ore body. A method to formulate a suitable mining solution used for ISR mining, where the lixivant does not freeze when using the freeze dome containment method and where the resulting PLS has a high concentration of dissolved minerals and thus eliminates the need for the solvent extraction/ion exchange step during processing is also described.

Electrical devices are disclosed. The devices include an insulating substrate. A UO.sub.2+x crystal or oriented crystal UO.sub.2+x film is on a first portion of the substrate. The UO.sub.2+x crystal or film originates and hosts a non-equilibrium polaronic quantum phase-condensate. A first lead on a second portion of the substrate is in electrical contact with the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film. A second lead on a third portion of the surface is in electrical contact with the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film. The leads are isolated from each other. A UO.sub.2+x excitation source is in operable communication with the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film. The source is configured to polarize a region of the crystal or film thereby activating the non-equilibrium quantum phase-condensate. One source state causes the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film to be conducting. Another source state causes the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film to be non-conductive.

Electrical devices are disclosed. The devices include an insulating substrate. A UO.sub.2+x crystal or oriented crystal UO.sub.2+x film is on a first portion of the substrate. The UO.sub.2+x crystal or film originates and hosts a non-equilibrium polaronic quantum phase-condensate. A first lead on a second portion of the substrate is in electrical contact with the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film. A second lead on a third portion of the surface is in electrical contact with the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film. The leads are isolated from each other. A UO.sub.2+x excitation source is in operable communication with the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film. The source is configured to polarize a region of the crystal or film thereby activating the non-equilibrium quantum phase-condensate. One source state causes the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film to be conducting. Another source state causes the UO.sub.2+x crystal or film to be non-conductive.

A method for preparing, in the internal volume of at least one channel, a monolithic support on which uranyl cations are immobilised. The method comprises: (a) activating the inner surface of the channel(s); (b) introducing, into the internal volume of the channel(s), a polymerisation solution comprising: a monomer comprising a phosphate group, at least one crosslinking agent, several solvents, and a radical polymerisation initiator; (c) polymerising the polymerisation solution; (d) rinsing the monolithic support obtained in step (c); and (e) contacting the monolithic support previously rinsed, with a solution comprising uranyl cations. A method for capturing proteins that selectively bind uranium by means of a monolithic support prepared by the above-mentioned method, as well as to a method for recovering proteins that selectively bind uranium with the capture method.

A method for preparing, in the internal volume of at least one channel, a monolithic support on which uranyl cations are immobilised. The method comprises: (a) activating the inner surface of the channel(s); (b) introducing, into the internal volume of the channel(s), a polymerisation solution comprising: a monomer comprising a phosphate group, at least one crosslinking agent, several solvents, and a radical polymerisation initiator; (c) polymerising the polymerisation solution; (d) rinsing the monolithic support obtained in step (c); and (e) contacting the monolithic support previously rinsed, with a solution comprising uranyl cations. A method for capturing proteins that selectively bind uranium by means of a monolithic support prepared by the above-mentioned method, as well as to a method for recovering proteins that selectively bind uranium with the capture method.

Reaction chamber and methods of extraction of metal compounds, specifically tools for uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6) conversion into uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) ceramic powder (up to 5% enrichment of U.sup.235) by applying a method of reductive pyrohydrolysis. In one aspect, the reaction chamber is a shell with upper and lower heads, comprising upper filtration area, equipped with metalceramic filters, regenerating nitrogen, the first reaction zone for conversion of uranium hexafluoride into uranyl fluoride, the second reaction zone with gas-distribution grid for building up fluidization layer for reduction of uranyl fluoride to uranium dioxide with a nozzle of steam, and hydrogen and nitrogen supply. On the side walls of the first reaction zone of the reaction chamber shell there are two nozzles located symmetrically for uranium hexafluoride, hydrogen and water steam supply. The chamber is equipped with a device for discharge of powder.

Described are methods for the recovery of uranium from uranium hexafluoride dissolved directly into ionic liquids.

Described are methods for the recovery of uranium from uranium hexafluoride dissolved directly into ionic liquids.

A method for converting uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide includes steps of hydrolysis of UF.sub.6 to uranium oxyfluoride (UO.sub.2F.sub.2) in a hydrolysis reactor (4) by reaction between gaseous UF.sub.6 and dry water vapour injected into the reactor (4), and pyrohydrolysis of UO.sub.2F.sub.2 to UO.sub.2 in a pyrohydrolysis furnace (6) by reaction of UO.sub.2F.sub.2 with dry water vapour and hydrogen gas (H.sub.2) injected into the furnace (6). The hourly mass flowrate of gaseous UF.sub.6 supplied to the reactor (4) is between 75 and 130 kg/h, the hourly mass flowrate of dry water vapour supplied to the reactor (4) for hydrolysis is between 15 and 30 kg/h, and the temperature inside the reactor (4) is between 150 and 250° C.

A method for converting uranium hexafluoride to uranium dioxide includes steps of hydrolysis of UF.sub.6 to uranium oxyfluoride (UO.sub.2F.sub.2) in a hydrolysis reactor (4) by reaction between gaseous UF.sub.6 and dry water vapour injected into the reactor (4), and pyrohydrolysis of UO.sub.2F.sub.2 to UO.sub.2 in a pyrohydrolysis furnace (6) by reaction of UO.sub.2F.sub.2 with dry water vapour and hydrogen gas (H.sub.2) injected into the furnace (6). The hourly mass flowrate of gaseous UF.sub.6 supplied to the reactor (4) is between 75 and 130 kg/h, the hourly mass flowrate of dry water vapour supplied to the reactor (4) for hydrolysis is between 15 and 30 kg/h, and the temperature inside the reactor (4) is between 150 and 250° C.