Department of Energy Pursues Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Projects

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently reviewing requirements and conducting an environmental assessment for its planned depleted uranium conversion facilities. The Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion project, calls for the construction of conversion facilities in Paducah, Kentucky and Portsmouth, Ohio. The new facilities will be responsible for the conversion of depleted uranium into chemical forms more suitable for storage and use, such as Uranium Oxide and Uranium Metals.

DUF6 is a byproduct in the gas diffusion process for the production of uranium-enriched fuels used for the generation of nuclear power and production of nuclear warheads. The DOE estimates 700,000 metric tons of DUF6 were produced at its Paducah, Kentucky, Portsmouth, Ohio, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee sites.

The excess Oak Ridge DUF6 will be transported to the Portsmouth site for conversion upon completion of the conversion facilities. DOE expects to select a design, build, and operate contractor in early 2003. The three short-listed contractors are American Conversion Services LLC, Uranium Disposition Services LLC, and Jacobs Cogema.