Electrolysis cell for reprocessing plutonium reactor fuel

Patent · Tue Jun 24 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5668282

Miller, W E; Steindler, M J; Burris, L

An electrolytic cell is described for refining a spent nuclear fuel and comprising a metallic pot including walls forming a lower zone for retaining a lower molten pool containing the spent nuclear fuel and an intermediate zone for retaining a molten salt electrolyte floating on the molten pool, electrode means including at least one anode and cathode, means for extending the anode into the intermediate and lower zones and the cathode into the intermediate zone, and means for retracting the anode to the intermediate zone apart from the cathode and to above the intermediate zone, and electrical power means connected to the anode, molten pool and cathode for providing electrical power to the cell.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4596647
• OSTI ID: 5668282
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050800* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
ANODES
CATHODES
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FUELS
MATERIALS
METALS
MOLTEN SALTS
NUCLEAR FUELS
PLUTONIUM
POWER SUPPLIES
REACTOR MATERIALS
REPROCESSING
SALTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLID ELECTROLYTES
SPENT FUELS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS