THE ELECTROLYTIC DISSOLUTION OF NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENTS

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Trans. Inst. Chem. Engrs. (London)

OSTI ID:4030086

Hall, G R; Logsdail, D H

Recent developments in the fabrication of nuclear fuels have led to the use of materials that are difficult or impossible to dissolve in nitric acid. To devise methods to overcome this difficulty, investigations were carried out on the application of two methods in which the fuel (and cladding) form the anode in an electrolytic cell. In one, the multi-cell tubular dissolver, current is conveyed to a randomly-packed bed of small cylinders of uranium through a cylindrical tantalum electrode in contact with one end of the bed; in the other, the anode basket dissolver, small cylinders of stainless steel or 50v/v stainless steel-uranium dioxide cermet are contained in an anodic tantalum basket that is surrounded by a tubular stainless steel cathode. The electrical characteristics and operation of both dissolvers are discussed. Each offers advantages over present direct acid chemical dissolvers, particularly for highly enriched fuels. (auth)

• Research Organization: Imperial Coll. of Science and Tech., London
• NSA Number: NSA-18-020115
• OSTI ID: 4030086
• Journal Information: Trans. Inst. Chem. Engrs. (London), Journal Name: Trans. Inst. Chem. Engrs. (London) Vol. Vol: 41
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANODES
CATHODES
CERMETS
CHEMISTRY
CURRENTS
CYLINDERS
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
FUEL ELEMENTS
NITRIC ACID
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUBILITY
SOLUTIONS
STAINLESS STEELS
TANTALUM
URANIUM
URANIUM DIOXIDE