THE PILOT PLANT PRODUCTION OF ELECTROLYTIC URANIUM DIOXIDE

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · J. Less-Common Metals

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-5088(61)90002-9· OSTI ID:4067680

Chalkey, J R

The electrolyte, containing uranyl chloride dissolved in molten NaCl/ KCl eutectic, is obtained by the direct chlorination of uranium oxide in sith in the fused salt, and electrolysis between graphite electrodes forms a crystalline deposit of UO/sub 2/ at the cathode. The deposition is carried out with either horizontally or vertically disposed electrodes, but the latter are preferred from the point of view of simplicity. An alternative process, using uranium ore concentrate as the starting material and involving three electrolytic stages is also described. The bulk of the impurities are removed in the flrst electrolysis in which anodic chlorination is used to improve the efficiency of the stage. The product, 99% pure, is treated in the same way as the pure oxide starting material, but a third electrodeposition, in which the UO/sub 2/ plated cathode is used as a soluble anode, is necessary to achieve the purity level required for nuclear fuel applications. The impurities found in the product are discussed in the context of their origin and their behavior in the process, particular reference being made to the rare earths. The process is capable of producing oxides within the range of composition UO/sub 2/ to UO/sub 2.5/. Conditions affecting this variation are described. (auth)

• Research Organization: Impregnated Diamond Products, Ltd., Gloucester, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-019758
• OSTI ID: 4067680
• Journal Information: J. Less-Common Metals, Journal Name: J. Less-Common Metals Vol. Vol: 3
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CHLORIDES
CHLORINATION
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
ENRICHMENT
EUTECTICS
FUSED SALTS
GRAPHITE
IMPURITIES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
RARE EARTHS
SODIUM CHLORIDES
URANIUM DIOXIDE
URANIUM ORES
URANYL COMPOUNDS