Electrolytic recovery of reactor metal fuel
A new electrolytic process and apparatus are provided using sodium, cerium or a similar metal in alloy or within a sodium beta or beta[double prime]-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 shunted 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. 2 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 5348626
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-012713
- OSTI ID:
- 7163860
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
DISSOLUTION
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
LYSIS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
NUCLEAR FUELS
OPERATION
PROCESSING
REACTOR MATERIALS
REPROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPENT FUELS
SURFACE COATING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING