Method of removal of heavy metal from molten salt in IFR fuel pyroprocessing

Patent · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:870090

Gay, Eddie C ^[1]

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1. Park Forest, IL

An electrochemical method of separating heavy metal values from a radioactive molten salt including Li halide at temperatures of about 500.degree. C. The method comprises positioning a solid Li--Cd alloy anode in the molten salt containing the heavy metal values, positioning a Cd-containing cathode or a solid cathode positioned above a catch crucible in the molten salt to recover the heavy metal values, establishing a voltage drop between the anode and the cathode to deposit material at the cathode to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in the salt, and controlling the deposition rate at the cathode by controlling the current between the anode and cathode.

• 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 5454914
• OSTI ID: 870090
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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500
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containing
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crucible
current
degree
deposit
deposit material
deposition
deposition rate
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electrochemical
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fuel
halide
heavy
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ifr
including
li--cd
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method comprise
method comprises
molten
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pyroprocessing
radioactive
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reduce
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salt
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salt including
separating
solid
solid cathode
temperatures
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voltage
voltage drop