A Triple Bubbler System to Measure Density, Surface Tension, and Depth of Electrorefiner Molten Salt
In pyroprocessing of used nuclear fuel (UNF), uranium from the fuel is electrochemically dissolved at the anode and transported through a molten salt electrolyte to the cathode—where it is later recovered for reuse. As part of this process, special nuclear materials (SNM) dissolve into the molten salt electrolyte. Monitoring the mass of these materials, particularly plutonium, is important for material accountability and safeguards of the electrorefiner (ER) used in pyroprocessing. The mass of plutonium in the ER vessel is a function of the volume and density of the salt as well as the plutonium concentration. Measuring these parameters presents challenges due to the high temperature, radiation, and accessibility of the ER within a hotcell. Here, the main motivation for this work was to develop a method capable of measuring the density and depth (volume) of salt under the extreme operating conditions within the ER to enhance the SNM accountability and safeguards of pyroprocessing. In addition, these online measurements would be useful for monitoring level changes associated with removal of electrolyte from the ER and different unit operations associated with electrochemical reprocessing of used nuclear fuel.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security (AU)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1499663
- Report Number(s):
- INL/MIS-17-41016-Rev000
- Journal Information:
- Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation, Vol. 2017, Issue 6; ISSN 9999-0029
- Publisher:
- USDOECopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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