DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method for continuous production of liquid uranium alloys through the electrolytic reduction of uranium chlorides. The apparatus includes an electrochemical cell formed from an anode shaped to form an electrolyte reservoir, a cathode comprising a metal, such as iron, capable of forming a eutectic uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and molten electrolyte in the reservoir comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride. The method of the invention produces an eutectic uranium alloy by creating an electrolyte reservoir defined by a container comprising an anode, placing an electrolyte in the reservoir, the electrolyte comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride in molten form, positioning a cathode in the reservoir where the cathode comprises a metal capable of forming an uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and applying a current between the cathode and the anode.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Livermore, CA
  2. Oakridge, TN
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
869697
Patent Number(s):
5380406
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25C - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
electrochemical; method; producing; eutectic; uranium; alloy; apparatus; continuous; production; liquid; alloys; electrolytic; reduction; chlorides; cell; formed; anode; shaped; form; electrolyte; reservoir; cathode; comprising; metal; iron; capable; forming; melting; pure; molten; chlorine; fluorine; containing; salt; chloride; produces; creating; defined; container; placing; positioning; comprises; applying; current; uranium chloride; electrolyte reservoir; molten form; electrolyte comprising; pure uranium; uranium alloy; molten electrolyte; electrochemical cell; electrolytic reduction; uranium alloys; electrochemical method; continuous production; metal capable; cathode comprises; cell formed; container comprising; uranium chlorides; metal cap; chemical method; liquid uranium; containing salt; /205/204/423/

Citation Formats

Horton, James A, and Hayden, H Wayne. Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Horton, James A, & Hayden, H Wayne. Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus. United States.
Horton, James A, and Hayden, H Wayne. Sun . "Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/869697.
@article{osti_869697,
title = {Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus},
author = {Horton, James A and Hayden, H Wayne},
abstractNote = {An apparatus and method for continuous production of liquid uranium alloys through the electrolytic reduction of uranium chlorides. The apparatus includes an electrochemical cell formed from an anode shaped to form an electrolyte reservoir, a cathode comprising a metal, such as iron, capable of forming a eutectic uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and molten electrolyte in the reservoir comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride. The method of the invention produces an eutectic uranium alloy by creating an electrolyte reservoir defined by a container comprising an anode, placing an electrolyte in the reservoir, the electrolyte comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride in molten form, positioning a cathode in the reservoir where the cathode comprises a metal capable of forming an uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and applying a current between the cathode and the anode.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Dissolution of Uranium Metal into Molten LiCl-KCl-UCl4
journal, January 1975


Electrowinning rare-earth and uranium metals from their oxides
journal, December 1964