Simplified reference electrode for electrorefining of spent nuclear fuel in high temperature molten salt
- Idaho National Laboratory, 3355 W 3130 N, Moore, Idaho 83255 (United States)
- Idaho National Laboratory 2984 Mesquite Dr., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404 (United States)
Pyrochemical processing plays an important role in development of proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel cycles. Electrorefining in a high temperature molten salt is considered a signature or central technology in pyro-processing fuel cycles. Reference electrodes provide information essential for monitoring the reactions occurring at the electrodes, investigating separation efficiency, controlling the process rate, and determining the process end-point. Vycor-glass design reference electrodes have provided good durability and signal stability, but are not easily fabricated. The design is a complex construction involving multiple small pieces, glass joints, ceramic to glass joints, and ceramic to metal joints all assembled in a high purity inert gas environment. A simpler design, based on an ion-permeable membrane of mullite has been completed. The new design maximizes the use of commercial components, reduces assembly piece count more than one-half, and can be fabricated with less specialized skills. This has resulted in a significant reduction of effort and cost to fabricate replacements. The new design has been tested in a lab scale electro-refiner and has also been successfully scaled up and installed in engineering scale electro-refiners. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- American Nuclear Society, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 20979669
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Advanced nuclear fuel cycles and systems (GLOBAL 2007), Boise - Idaho (United States), 9-13 Sep 2007; Other Information: Country of input: France; 5 refs; Related Information: In: Proceedings of GLOBAL 2007 conference on advanced nuclear fuel cycles and systems, 1873 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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