Electrolytic recovery of reactor metal fuel
This invention is comprised of a new electrolytic process and apparatus using sodium, cerium or a similar metal in an alloy or within a sodium beta or beta-alumina sodium ion conductor to electrolytically displace each of the spent fuel metals except for Cesium and strontium on a selective basis from the electrolyte to an inert metal cathode. Each of the metals can be deposited separately. An electrolytic transfer of spent fuel into the electrolyte includes a sodium or cerium salt in the electrolyte with sodium or cerium alloy being deposited on the cathode during the transfer of the metals from the spent fuel. The cathode with the deposit of sodium or cerium alloy is then changed to an anode and the reverse transfer is carried out on a selective basis with each metal being deposited separately at the cathode. The result is that the sodium or cerium needed for the process is regenerated in the first step and no additional source of these reactants is required.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A8012713
- Application Number:
- ON: DE95009965; PAN: 8-012,713
- OSTI ID:
- 52652
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1993 Feb 03; Other Information: PBD: 3 Feb 1993; Related Information: U. S. Patent No. 5,348,626. Filed 09/20/1994.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Electrolytic recovery of reactor metal fuel
IDAHO CHEMICAL PROCESSING PLANT TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR APRIL THROUGH JUNE 1959