Process and apparatus for recovery of fissionable materials from spent reactor fuel by anodic dissolution

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:867785

Tomczuk, Zygmunt ^[1]; Miller, William E ^[2]; Wolson, Raymond D ^[3]; Gay, Eddie C ^[4]

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1. Orland Park, IL
2. Naperville, IL
3. Lockport, IL
4. Park Forest, IL

An electrochemical process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and plutonium from spent metal clad fuel pins is disclosed. The process uses secondary reactions between U.sup.+4 cations and elemental uranium at the anode to increase reaction rates and improve anodic efficiency compared to prior art processes. In another embodiment of the process, secondary reactions between Cd.sup.+2 cations and elemental uranium to form uranium cations and elemental cadmium also assists in oxidizing the uranium at the anode.

• Research Organization: NIRO SCAVONE HALLER & NIRO LTD
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-86CH10303
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5009752
• OSTI ID: 867785
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

process
apparatus
recovery
fissionable
materials
spent
reactor
fuel
anodic
dissolution
electrochemical
uranium
plutonium
metal
clad
pins
disclosed
secondary
reactions
cations
elemental
anode
increase
reaction
rates
improve
efficiency
compared
prior
processes
embodiment
cd
form
cadmium
assists
oxidizing
anodic dissolution
form uranium
reaction rate
reactor fuel
fuel pins
fissionable material
reaction rates
chemical process
spent metal
spent reactor
electrochemical process
increase reaction
fissionable materials
metal clad
clad fuel
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