Recovery of UO{sub 2}/PuO{sub 2} in IFR electrorefining process

Patent · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10116699

Tomczuk, Z; Miller, W E

This invention is comprised of a process for converting PuO{sub 2} and U0{sub 2} present in an electrorefiner to the chlorides, by contacting the PuO{sub 2} and U0{sub 2} with Li metal in the presence of an alkali metal chloride salt substantially free of rare earth and actinide chlorides for a time and at a temperature sufficient to convert the U0{sub 2} and PuO{sub 2} to metals while converting Li metal to Li{sub 2}O. Li{sub 2}O is removed either by reducing with rare earth metals or by providing an oxygen electrode for transporting 0{sub 2} out of the electrorefiner and a cathode, and thereafter applying an emf to the electrorefiner electrodes sufficient to cause the Li{sub 2}O to disassociate to 0{sub 2} and Li metal but insufficient to decompose the alkali metal chloride salt. The U and Pu and excess lithium are then converted to chlorides by reaction with CdCl{sub 2}.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: ANL; SN: 95001320269; SCA: 052001; PA: EDB-95:040707; 320305
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US--A7967652
• Application Number: ON: DE95006132; PAN: 7-967,652
• OSTI ID: 10116699
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052001
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305
DESIGN
ELECTROREFINING
INDUSTRIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
INVENTIONS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
PLUTONIUM
PLUTONIUM CHLORIDES
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
URANIUM
URANIUM CHLORIDES
URANIUM OXIDES
WASTE PROCESSING