Which one of the following is used to remove most of plutonium from spent nuclear fuel ?
Show Hint
Interhalogen compounds, like ClF\(_3\), are often very strong oxidizing and fluorinating agents because the bond between two different halogens is weaker than the bond in a diatomic halogen molecule (like F\(_2\)). Their high reactivity makes them useful in specific industrial applications like nuclear fuel processing.
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify a chemical compound used in the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, specifically for the removal of plutonium. Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel involves separating useful materials like uranium and plutonium from fission products. One of the advanced methods for this is called "fluoride volatility." This process takes advantage of the fact that some elements form fluorides that are volatile (can be easily turned into a gas) at moderate temperatures.
- Chlorine trifluoride (ClF\(_3\)): This is an extremely powerful fluorinating agent. It is one of the most reactive compounds known. It can react with uranium and plutonium metals or their oxides to convert them into their volatile hexafluorides, UF\(_6\) and PuF\(_6\).
\[ \text{Pu}(s) + 3\text{ClF}_3(g) \rightarrow \text{PuF}_6(g) + 3\text{ClF}(g) \]
- Once in gaseous form, PuF\(_6\) can be separated from other less volatile or non-volatile fission product fluorides.
- The other compounds listed are not used for this purpose. I\(_2\)O\(_5\) is an oxidizing agent, BrO\(_3\) is an oxoanion, and O\(_2\)F\(_2\) is a highly unstable oxide of fluorine. ClF\(_3\) is uniquely suited due to its extreme fluorinating power. Step 3: Final Answer:
Chlorine trifluoride (ClF\(_3\)) is used to remove plutonium from spent nuclear fuel by converting it to volatile plutonium hexafluoride (PuF\(_6\)).
