ELECTROLYTIC DISSOLUTION OF NUCLEAR FUELS. PART I. ZIRCONIUM IN HCl- METHANOL

Technical Report · Fri Dec 29 04:00:00 EST 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4796884· OSTI ID:4796884

Aylward, J R; Whitener, E M; Hahn, H T

The electrolytic dissolution of zirconium in HCl-methanol was studied as a function of potential, solution composition, and temperature. The dissolution is characterized by two regions. At high potentials the zirconium is electropolished and complete dissolution is achieved. At low potentials the current is an exponential function of the potential (Tafel behavior). In this region a small amount of finely divided alpha -zirconium which is insoluble in HCl-methanol separates from the bulk metal. The energy of activation for the corrosion reaction (0.0 volt) is 16.5 kcal/mole; in the electropolishing region (1.0 volt) the activation energy is 7.7 kcal/mole. A broad solvent capability for metallic reactor fuels is offered by the HCl-methanol medium since, in addition to zirconium, stainless steel is also dissolved electrolytically while uranium and aluminum dissolve chemically. Other process implications are discussed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co. Atomic Energy Div., Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(10-1)-205
• NSA Number: NSA-16-013126
• OSTI ID: 4796884
• Report Number(s): IDO-14573
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACTIVATION
ALUMINUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CLEANING
CORROSION
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROLYSIS
ENERGY
FUELS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
MATHEMATICS
METALS
METHANOL
REACTORS
SOLUBILITY
SOLUTIONS
STAINLESS STEELS
TEMPERATURE
URANIUM
ZIRCONIUM