Explosion at Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility

[Bodge]

On 28th November there were reports of a large explosion in the Iranian city of Isfahan, home to the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility.

link - via Haaretz -

According to today's (London) Times the blast had not been a military accident, and the nuclear facility was damaged.

The report quotes Israeli intelligence officials who based their conclusion on updated satellite images showing smoke billowing from the direction of the conversion plant.

According to the Israeli sources, there was "no doubt" that the blast had damaged the nuclear facility, and that the explosion was not an "accident."

The BBC claim that Iran is building a plant at the nuclear research facility to convert yellowcake into three forms: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11927720

• Hexafluoride gas - used in gas centrifuges
• Uranium oxide - used to fuel reactors, albeit not the type Iran is constructing
• Metal - often used in the cores of nuclear bombs. The IAEA is concerned about the metal's use, as Iran's reactors do not require it as fuel.

What are the possible environmental impacts of a major explosion at such a plant?
Huge releases of UF4 and UF6 I'd imagine.

More info: http://www.wise-uranium.org/epasi.html#ISFAHANCONV

 

[Bobbywhy]

If the explosion outside Isfahan on 28 November did release UF4 and UF6, aren't those materials highly radioactive? If yes, then I would expect a rapid and massive evacuation of people would be necessary. Is there any news about the aftermath?

 

[Astronuc]

The uranium should not be highly radioactive, but the UF4 and UF6 could react with water and release HF. At room temperature, UF4 and UF6 are solid.

http://www.webelements.com/compounds/uranium/uranium_tetrafluoride.html
http://www.webelements.com/compounds/uranium/uranium_hexafluoride.html

Oxides such as U3O8 would be converted to UF6, which is the feed to centrifuge enrichment plants. The UF6 would then be converted to metal or oxide.