Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuous production of liquid uranium alloys through the electrolytic reduction of uranium chlorides. The apparatus includes an electrochemical cell formed from an anode shaped to form an electrolyte reservoir, a cathode comprising a metal, such as iron, capable of forming a eutectic uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and molten electrolyte in the reservoir comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride. The method of the invention produces an eutectic uranium alloy by creating an electrolyte reservoir defined by a container comprising an anode, placing an electrolyte in the reservoir, the electrolyte comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride in molten form, positioning a cathode in the reservoir where the cathode comprises a metal capable of forming an uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and applying a current between the cathode and the anode. 2 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6659389
- Patent Number(s):
- 5380406
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-141754
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 27 Oct 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; DESIGN; URANIUM ALLOYS; SYNTHESIS; URANIUM CHLORIDES; ELECTROLYSIS; EUTECTICS; ACTINIDE ALLOYS; ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS; ALLOYS; CHLORIDES; CHLORINE COMPOUNDS; HALIDES; HALOGEN COMPOUNDS; LYSIS; URANIUM COMPOUNDS; 360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication
Citation Formats
Horton, J A, and Hayden, H W. Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus. United States: N. p., 1995.
Web.
Horton, J A, & Hayden, H W. Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus. United States.
Horton, J A, and Hayden, H W. Tue .
"Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus". United States.
@article{osti_6659389,
title = {Electrochemical method of producing eutectic uranium alloy and apparatus},
author = {Horton, J A and Hayden, H W},
abstractNote = {An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuous production of liquid uranium alloys through the electrolytic reduction of uranium chlorides. The apparatus includes an electrochemical cell formed from an anode shaped to form an electrolyte reservoir, a cathode comprising a metal, such as iron, capable of forming a eutectic uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and molten electrolyte in the reservoir comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride. The method of the invention produces an eutectic uranium alloy by creating an electrolyte reservoir defined by a container comprising an anode, placing an electrolyte in the reservoir, the electrolyte comprising a chlorine or fluorine containing salt and uranium chloride in molten form, positioning a cathode in the reservoir where the cathode comprises a metal capable of forming an uranium alloy having a melting point less than the melting point of pure uranium, and applying a current between the cathode and the anode. 2 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1995},
month = {1}
}