PYROMETALLURGICAL REPROCESSING OF THORIUM-URANIUM FUEL

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4046627

Chiotti, P; Woerner, P F; Parry, S J.S.

A pyrometallurgical procedure proposal is outlined for reprocessing Th-- U/sup 2//sup 3//sup 3/ fuel. Data indicate that in Th--U dissolution in Mg, Po precipitates with the U, and Ce remains in the Mg-rich solution. Yttrium and other light rare earths are expected to concentrate along with alkali and alkaline esrth in the Mg-rich solution while Cr, Fe, Zr, Mo, and Nb should concentrate in the U-rich phase. Data indicate that many impurities may be separated in fused KCl--LiCl--Zn systems from U and Th. Data are given on the distribution of Fe, Mo, Nb, Cr, Y, Zr, Th, U, Pa, and cerium between the salt and zinc phases on oxidation or reduction. Data are also included on extraction of Y, Ce, Th, and Pa from Mg--Th solution by KCl--LiCl-MgCl solution. (J.R.D.)

• Research Organization: Ames Lab., Ames, Iowa
• NSA Number: NSA-15-022360
• OSTI ID: 4046627
• Report Number(s): IS-302
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CERIUM
CHEMISTRY
CHROMIUM
COMBUSTION
FUELS
IMPURITIES
IRON
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
MAGNESIUM
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDES
METALLURGY
MOLYBDENUM
NIOBIUM
OXIDATION
POLONIUM
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
PROTACTINIUM
RARE EARTHS
REDUCTION
REPROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THORIUM
URANIUM
URANIUM 233
YTTRIUM
ZINC
ZIRCONIUM