Electrorefining process and apparatus for recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuels
An electrorefining process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuels is disclosed using an electrolytic cell having a lower molten cadmium pool containing spent nuclear fuel, an intermediate electrolyte pool, an anode basket containing spent fuels, two cathodes and electrical power means connected to the anode basket, cathodes and lower molten cadmium pool for providing electrical power to the cell. Using this cell, additional amounts of uranium and plutonium from the anode basket are dissolved in the lower molten cadmium pool, and then purified uranium is electrolytically transported and deposited on a first molten cadmium cathode. Subsequently, a mixture of uranium and plutonium is electrotransported and deposited on a second cathode. 3 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A7117880
- Application Number:
- ON: DE89010948
- OSTI ID:
- 6348704
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Electrorefining process and apparatus
Experimental observations to the electrical field for electrorefining of spent nuclear fuel in the Mark-IV electrorefiner.
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
CADMIUM
CATHODES
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELECTROREFINING
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
INVENTIONS
LYSIS
MATERIALS
METALS
NUCLEAR FUELS
PLUTONIUM
PROCESSING
REACTOR MATERIALS
REFINING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUBILITY
SPENT FUELS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
URANIUM