SELECTIVE REDUCTION OF ACTIVE METAL CHLORIDES FROM MOLTEN LiCl-KCl USING LITHIUM DRAWDOWN

摘要: In support of optimizing electrorefining technology for treating spent nuclear fuel, lithium drawdown has been investigated separating actinides from molten salt electrolyte. Drawdown reaction selectivity is a major issue that requires investigation, since the goal to remove while leaving fission products and other components in salt. A series tests with surrogate product chlorides was run obtain data non-radioactive salts, develop predictive model, draw conclusions about viability using this process actinide-loaded Results CsCl, LaCl3, CeCl3, NdCl3 are reported here. Equilibrium typically achieved less than 10 hours contact between metal under well-stirred conditions. Maintaining low oxygen water impurity concentrations (<10 ppm) atmosphere observed be critical minimize side reactions maintain stable compositions. An equilibrium model formulated fit experimental data. Good fits were achieved. Based on analysis results obtained date, it concluded clean separation minor lanthanides will difficult achieve drawdown.