Electrolysis cell for reprocessing plutonium reactor fuel

Patent · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:865889

Miller, William E ^[1]; Steindler, Martin J ^[2]; Burris, Leslie ^[1]

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1. Naperville, IL
2. Park Forest, IL

An electrolytic cell for refining a mixture of metals including spent fuel containing U and Pu contaminated with other metals, the cell including a metallic pot containing a metallic pool as one anode at a lower level, a fused salt as the electrolyte at an intermediate level and a cathode and an anode basket in spaced-apart positions in the electrolyte with the cathode and anode being retractable to positions above the electrolyte during which spent fuel may be added to the anode basket and the anode basket being extendable into the lower pool to dissolve at least some metallic contaminants, the anode basket containing the spent fuel acting as a second anode when in the electrolyte.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4596647
• OSTI ID: 865889
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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acting
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anode
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containing
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contaminated
dissolve
electrolysis
electrolysis cell
electrolyte
electrolytic
electrolytic cell
extendable
fuel
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retractable
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spaced-apart
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