Apparatus and process for the electrolytic reduction of uranium and plutonium oxides
An apparatus and process for reducing uranium and/or plutonium oxides to produce a solid, high-purity metal. The apparatus is an electrolyte cell consisting of a first container, and a smaller second container within the first container. An electrolyte fills both containers, the level of the electrolyte in the first container being above the top of the second container so that the electrolyte can be circulated between the containers. The anode is positioned in the first container while the cathode is located in the second container. Means are provided for passing an inert gas into the electrolyte near the lower end of the anode to sparge the electrolyte and to remove gases which form on the anode during the reduction operation. Means are also provided for mixing and stirring the electrolyte in the first container to solubilize the metal oxide in the electrolyte and to transport the electrolyte containing dissolved oxide into contact with the cathode in the second container. The cell is operated at a temperature below the melting temperature of the metal product so that the metal forms as a solid on the cathode.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/ER
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A7384195
- Application Number:
- ON: DE90015178; PPN: US 7-384195
- OSTI ID:
- 6726302
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
DESIGN
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
REDUCTION
URANIUM OXIDES
ELECTRODES
INVENTIONS
MIXING
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
050400* - Nuclear Fuels- Feed Processing
400400 - Electrochemistry