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Title: Controlled in-situ dissolution of an alkali metal

Abstract

A method for the controllable dissolution of one or more alkali metals from a vessel containing a one or more alkali metals and/or one or more partially passivated alkali metals. The vessel preferably comprising a sodium, NaK or other alkali metal-cooled nuclear reactor that has been used. The alkali metal, preferably sodium, potassium or a combination thereof, in the vessel is exposed to a treatment liquid, preferably an acidic liquid, more preferably citric acid. Preferably, the treatment liquid is maintained in continuous motion relative to any surface of unreacted alkali metal with which the treatment liquid is in contact. The treatment liquid is preferably pumped into the vessel containing the one or more alkali metals and the resulting fluid is extracted and optionally further processed. Preferably, the resulting off-gases are processed by an off-gas treatment system and the resulting liquids are processed by a liquid disposal system. In one preferred embodiment, an inert gas is pumped into the vessel along with the treatment liquid.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1078336
Patent Number(s):
8263030
Application Number:
13/041,765
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01D - COMPOUNDS OF ALKALI METALS, i.e. LITHIUM, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, RUBIDIUM, CAESIUM, OR FRANCIUM
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-05ID14516
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2011 Mar 07
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Citation Formats

Jones, Jeffrey Donald, Dooley, Kirk John, and Tolman, David Donald. Controlled in-situ dissolution of an alkali metal. United States: N. p., 2012. Web.
Jones, Jeffrey Donald, Dooley, Kirk John, & Tolman, David Donald. Controlled in-situ dissolution of an alkali metal. United States.
Jones, Jeffrey Donald, Dooley, Kirk John, and Tolman, David Donald. Tue . "Controlled in-situ dissolution of an alkali metal". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1078336.
@article{osti_1078336,
title = {Controlled in-situ dissolution of an alkali metal},
author = {Jones, Jeffrey Donald and Dooley, Kirk John and Tolman, David Donald},
abstractNote = {A method for the controllable dissolution of one or more alkali metals from a vessel containing a one or more alkali metals and/or one or more partially passivated alkali metals. The vessel preferably comprising a sodium, NaK or other alkali metal-cooled nuclear reactor that has been used. The alkali metal, preferably sodium, potassium or a combination thereof, in the vessel is exposed to a treatment liquid, preferably an acidic liquid, more preferably citric acid. Preferably, the treatment liquid is maintained in continuous motion relative to any surface of unreacted alkali metal with which the treatment liquid is in contact. The treatment liquid is preferably pumped into the vessel containing the one or more alkali metals and the resulting fluid is extracted and optionally further processed. Preferably, the resulting off-gases are processed by an off-gas treatment system and the resulting liquids are processed by a liquid disposal system. In one preferred embodiment, an inert gas is pumped into the vessel along with the treatment liquid.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2012},
month = {9}
}