Thermal Stability of Formohydroxamic Acid

Abstract

The thermal stability of formohydroxamic acid (FHA) was evaluated to address the potential for exothermic decomposition during storage and its use in the uranium extraction process. Accelerating rate calorimetry showed rapid decomposition at a temperature above 65°C; although, the rate of pressure rise was greater than two orders of magnitude less than the lower bound for materials which have no explosive properties with respect to transportation. An FHA solution in nitric acid did not reach runaway conditions until 150°C. Water appeared to temper the FHA decomposition. Analysis by differential scanning calorimetry showed that FHA melted at 67°C and thermally decomposed at 90°C with an enthalpy of −1924 J/g. The energics of the FHA thermal decomposition are comparable to those measured for aqueous solutions of hydroxylamine nitrate. Solid FHA should be stored in a location where the temperature does not exceed 20–25°C. As a best practice, the solid material should be stored in a climate-controlled environment such as a refrigerator or freezer. FHA solutions in water are not susceptible to degradation by acid hydrolysis and are the preferred way to handle FHA prior to use.

Keywords:

• formohydroxamic acid
• thermal stability
• UREX process

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The work was supported by Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number DE-PS07-08ID14906 sponsored by the US Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy. The Savannah River National Laboratory is operated by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions under contract number DE-AC09-08SR22470.