Nuclear chemistry

From uranium ore to uranium hexafluoride (UF6)

UF6 is an intermediate product that enables the manufacture of fuel used by nuclear power stations. The conversion of uranium into uranium hexafluoride (UF6) is carried out via a two-stage chemical transformation process:  transformation of uranium into uranium tetrafluoride (UF4),  transformation of uranium tetrafluoride into uranium hexafluoride (UF6). UF4 production is done by the COMURHEX Malvési facility, while UF6 production is carried out by COMURHEX Pierrelatte.

Other chemical transformations

 Defluorination of depleted uranium hexafluoride (UF6) generated during the uranium enrichment process. This process enables depleted uranium hexafluoride to be transformed into a stable and non-aggressive uranium oxide which can then be stored. Defluorination is carried out by AREVA NC Pierrelatte.
 Processing of uranyl nitrate obtained during uranium processing operations. Uranyl nitrate is either converted into uranium oxide or transformed back into uranium hexafluoride in order to be used in the manufacture of new fuel.
The AREVA NC Pierrelatte site takes care of uranyl nitrate transformation. COMURHEX Pierrelatte is one of the only industrial producers of UF6 using reprocessed uranium.

Non-nuclear chemistry

The know-how developed by COMURHEX in uranium fluorination has allowed it to develop non-nuclear chemistry activities.

Production of tungsten hexafluoride required in the manufacture of communication tools: mobile phones, chip cards, GPS, etc.  Production of nitrogen-fluorine used in the automobile industry.  Production of chlorine tri-fluorine (for the microprocessor industry, etc.)