Reaction of chlorine and uranium tetrachloride in the fused lithium chloride‐potassium chloride eutectic

The rates of the reaction of chlorine gas with uranium tetrachloride dissolved in the lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic have been studied in a wetted-rod contactor. The reaction was studied at temperatures from 400° to 700°C., uranium tetrachloride concentrations of 1 to 3 wt. %, and chlorine partial pressures of 0.25 to 1 atm. The production of uranium hexachloride appears to be limited by the equilibrium of the reaction UCL4 (solution) + Cl2 (g) = UCl6 (solution) at the interface and by U+4 diffusion in the liquid phase.