Editing Depleted uranium (section)

==Storage==
[[File:DUF6 storage yard far (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|A typical DUF<sub>6</sub> cylinder storage yard]]

[[File:Corroded DUF6 cylinder.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|DUF<sub>6</sub> cylinders: painted (left) and corroded (right)]]

[[File:DUF6 cylinder leak.gif|thumb|right|[[Uranium hexafluoride]] tank leaking]]

About 95% of the depleted uranium produced until now is stored as [[uranium hexafluoride]], or (D){{chem2|UF6}}, in steel cylinders in open air storage yards close to enrichment plants. Each cylinder typically holds up to {{convert|12.7|tonne|ST}} of {{chem2|UF6}}. In the U.S. {{convert|560000|tonne|ST}} of depleted {{chem2|UF6}} had accumulated by 1993. In 2008, {{convert|686500|tonne|ST}} in 57,122 storage cylinders were located near [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]], Ohio; [[Oak Ridge, Tennessee|Oak Ridge]], Tennessee; and [[Paducah, Kentucky|Paducah]], Kentucky.<ref name="anl.gov FAQ 16">{{cite web |website=Depleted UF<sub>6</sub> Management Information Network |url=https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/storage/faq16.cfm |title=FAQ 16 – How much depleted uranium hexafluoride is stored in the United States? |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125115409/https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/storage/faq16.cfm |archive-date=25 November 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="anl.gov">{{cite web |website=Depleted UF<sub>6</sub> Management Information Network |url=https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/documents/index.cfm |title=Depleted UF<sub>6</sub> Management Program Documents |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101104259/https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/documents/index.cfm |archive-date=1 November 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The storage of (D){{chem2|UF6}} presents environmental, health, and safety risks because of its chemical instability. When {{chem2|UF6}} is exposed to water vapor in the air, it reacts with the moisture to produce {{Chem2|UO2F2}} (uranyl fluoride), a solid, and {{Chem2|HF}} (hydrogen fluoride), a gas, both of which are highly soluble and toxic. The [[uranyl fluoride]] solid acts to plug the leak, limiting further escape of depleted {{chem2|UF6}}. Release of the [[hydrogen fluoride]] gas to the atmosphere is also slowed by the plug formation.<ref name="anl.gov FAQ 21">{{cite web |website=Depleted UF<sub>6</sub> Management Information Network |url=https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/storage/faq21.cfm |title=What happens if a cylinder of uranium hexafluoride leaks? |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122055443/https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/storage/faq21.cfm |archive-date=22 January 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Like any other uranium compound, it is radioactive, and precautions should be taken. It is also highly toxic. Whether ingested, inhaled, or [[skin absorption|absorbed through the skin]], uranyl fluoride is corrosive and may harm internal organs, potentially resulting in death. Effects of exposure may be delayed.<ref>{{cite report |title=Overview of Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Management Program |url=https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/pdf/DUF6MgmtOverviewFS.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217104049/http://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/pdf/DUF6MgmtOverviewFS.PDF |archive-date=17 February 2013 |access-date=13 June 2024 |date=Fall 2001 |publisher=[[Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management]]}}</ref>

The U.S. government has been converting depleted {{chem2|UF6}} to solid [[uranium oxides]] for use or disposal.<ref name="anl.gov FAQ 22">{{cite web |website=Depleted UF<sub>6</sub> Management Information Network |url=https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/storage/faq22.cfm |title=FAQ 22 – What is going to happen to the uranium hexafluoride stored in the United States? |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122061825/https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/storage/faq22.cfm |archive-date=22 January 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Such disposal of the entire D{{chem2|UF6}} inventory could cost anywhere from {{US$|15}} million to {{US$|450}} million.<ref name="anl.gov FAQ 27">{{cite web |website=Depleted UF<sub>6</sub> Management Information Network |url=https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/mgmt/faq27.cfm |title=FAQ 27 – Are there any currently-operating disposal facilities that can accept all of the depleted uranium oxide that would be generated from conversion of DOE's depleted UF6 inventory? |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101220150/https://web.evs.anl.gov/uranium/faq/mgmt/faq27.cfm |archive-date=1 November 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The vulnerability of DUF<sub>6</sub> storage cylinders to terrorist attack is also a matter of concern.


{| class="wikitable"
|+ World depleted-uranium inventory<ref>
{{cite web
  |url=http://www.wise-uranium.org/eddat.html
  |title=Depleted Uranium Inventories
  |access-date=26 February 2016
}}</ref>
|-
! Country
! Organization
! Estimated DU stocks<br />[[tonnes]] ([[short tons]])
! Reported
|-
| {{flag|United States}}
| [[United States Department of Energy|DOE]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|480000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2002
|-
| {{flag|Russia}}
| [[Rosatom]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|460000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 1996
|-
| {{flag|France}}
| [[Areva NC]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|190000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2001
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| [[BNFL]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|30000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2001
|-
| {{plainlist|
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}
*{{flag|Germany}}
*{{flag|Netherlands}}
}}
| [[URENCO]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|16000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 1999
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}
| [[JNFL]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|10000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2001
|-
| {{flag|China}}
| [[CNNC]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|2000|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2000
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}}
| [[KAERI]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|200|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2002
|-
| {{flag|South Africa}}
| [[NECSA]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|73|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2001
|-
| {{flag|Singapore}}
| [[DSO National Laboratories]]
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|60|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2007
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
| colspan=2 | Total
| style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|1188273|tonnes|ST|abbr=values}}
| 2008
|}