Process to remove rare earth from IFR electrolyte

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869436

Ackerman, John P ^[1]; Johnson, Terry R ^[2]

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1. Downers Grove, IL
2. Wheaton, IL

The invention is a process for the removal of rare earths from molten chloride electrolyte salts used in the reprocessing of integrated fast reactor fuel (IFR). The process can be used either continuously during normal operation of the electrorefiner or as a batch process. The process consists of first separating the actinide values from the salt before purification by removal of the rare earths. After replacement of the actinides removed in the first step, the now-purified salt electrolyte has the same uranium and plutonium concentration and ratio as when the salt was removed from the electrorefiner.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5336450
• OSTI ID: 869436
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

process
remove
rare
earth
ifr
electrolyte
removal
earths
molten
chloride
salts
reprocessing
integrated
fast
reactor
fuel
continuously
normal
operation
electrorefiner
batch
consists
separating
actinide
values
salt
purification
replacement
actinides
removed
step
now-purified
uranium
plutonium
concentration
ratio
actinide values
rare earths
normal operation
rare earth
reactor fuel
salt electrolyte
fast reactor
batch process
molten chloride
electrolyte salt
electrolyte salts
process consists
chloride electrolyte
/423/588/