Title: Galvanic cell 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:

2017-02-07

Research Org.:

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

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1342739

Patent Number(s):

9562297

Application Number:

15/083,632

Assignee:

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (Aiken, SC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C22 - METALLURGY C22B - PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

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C - CHEMISTRY C22 - METALLURGY C22B - PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS

C22B5/14 - fluidised material
C22B60/0217 - {by wet processes}

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C25B1/245 - {Fluorine
C25B15/02 - Process control or regulation
C25B15/08 - Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25C - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS

C25C3/34 - of metals not provided for in groups C25C3/02 - C25C3/32
C25C7/005 - {of cells for the electrolysis of melts
C25C7/02 - Electrodes

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC09-08SR22470

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2016 Mar 29

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE