Test of Actinide-Lanthanide Separation in an Aluminum-Based Pyrochemical System

Journal Article · Thu Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2002 · Nuclear Technology

OSTI ID:20826780

Rault, Laurence ^[1]; Heusch, Murielle ^[1]; Allibert, Michel ^[1]; Lemort, Florent ^[2]; Deschane, Xavier ^[2]; Boen, Roger ^[2]

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1. Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (France)
2. Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA) (France)

The investigation of the actinide and lanthanide distribution between a liquid metal and a molten fluoride salt shows a significant increase of the separation coefficient by using an aluminum-based pyrochemical system instead of a zinc-based system. The obtained values partly depend on the LiF/AlF{sub 3} ratio and can reach more than 30 000 when AlF{sub 3} is in excess with regard to the formation of the cryolite (Li{sub 3} AlF{sub 6}). Furthermore, in the metal phase, the aluminum interacts with the lanthanides to a lesser extent than in other usual metallic solvents. This opens a new way to explore the feasibility of the separation of actinides and lanthanides in the field of nuclear fuel reprocessing.

• OSTI ID: 20826780
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 139; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM FLUORIDES
DISTRIBUTION
LIQUID METALS
LITHIUM FLUORIDES
MOLTEN SALTS
NUCLEAR FUELS
RARE EARTHS
REPROCESSING
SOLVENTS
ZINC