Title: RECOVERY OF VALUABLE MATERIAL FROM GRAPHITE BODIES

Abstract

An electrolytic process for recovering uranium from a graphite fuel element is described. The uraniumcontaining graphite body is disposed as the anode of a cell containing a nitric acid electrolyte and a 5 amp/cm/sup 2/ current passed to induce a progressive disintegration of the graphite body. The dissolved uranium is quickly and easily separated from the resulting graphite particles by simple mechanical means, such as centrifugation, filtration, and decontamination.

Inventors:

Fromm, Jr, L W

Issue Date:

1959-09-01

Research Org.:

Originating Research Org. not identified

OSTI Identifier:

4209635

Patent Number(s):

2903402

Assignee:

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

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

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

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

C25B1/00 - Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals

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

C25C1/22 - of metals not provided for in groups C25C1/02 - C25C1/20

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C19/46 - Aqueous processes {, e.g. by using organic extraction means, including the regeneration of these means}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02W - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

Y02W30/50 - Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies

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NSA Number:

NSA-14-006374

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

CHEMISTRY; ANODES; CENTRIFUGATION; DECOMPOSITION; DECONTAMINATION; ELECTROLYSIS; ELECTROLYTES; ELECTROLYTIC CELLS; FILTERS; FUEL ELEMENTS; GRAPHITE; NITRIC ACID; RECOVERY; URANIUM