Title: Electrochemical fluorination for processing of used nuclear fuel

Abstract

A galvanic cell and methods of using the galvanic cell is described for the recovery of uranium from used nuclear fuel according to an electrofluorination process. The galvanic cell requires no input energy and can utilize relatively benign gaseous fluorinating agents. Uranium can be recovered from used nuclear fuel in the form of gaseous uranium compound such as uranium hexafluoride, which can then be converted to metallic uranium or UO.sub.2 and processed according to known methodology to form a useful product, e.g., fuel pellets for use in a commercial energy production system.

Inventors:

Garcia-Diaz, Brenda L.; Martinez-Rodriguez, Michael J.; Gray, Joshua R.; Olson, Luke C.

Issue Date:

2016-07-05

Research Org.:

Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC), Aiken, SC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1260245

Patent Number(s):

9,382,632

Application Number:

14/312,098

Assignee:

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (Aiken, SC)

DOE Contract Number:  

AC09-08SR22470

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2014 Jun 23

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION