Reduction of UO22+ by H2

The reactivity of H, towards UO22+ has been studied experimentally using a PEEK coated autoclave where the UO22+ concentration in aqueous solution containing 2 mM carbonate was measured as a function of time at p(H2) similar to 40 bar. The experiments were performed in the temperature interval 74-100 degreesC. In addition, the suggested catalytic activity of UO2 on the reduction of UO22+ by H-2 was investigated. The results clearly show that H-2 is capable of reducing UO22+ to UO2 without the presence of a catalyst. The reaction is of first order with respect to UO22+. The activation energy for the process is 130 +/- 24 U mol(-1) and the rate constant is k(298K) = 3.6 x 10(-9) l mol(-1) s(-1). The activation enthalpy and entropy for the process was determined to 126 kJ mol(-1) and 16.5 J mol(-1) K-1, respectively. Traces of oxygen were shown to inhibit the reduction process. Hence, the suggested catalytic activity of freshly precipitated U02 on the reduction of UO22+ by H-2 could not be confirmed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.