Abstract
This paper summarizes the experimental results and engineering aspects regarding the anodic process for electrorefining irradiated EBR-II driver fuel assemblies. This work is part of a demonstration project for the Department of Energy (DOE) to treat spent nuclear fuel. The focus of this paper is on the anode due to its unique geometry, complex chemical compositions and highly demanding process goals. Chemical analysis results of cladding hull samples were used as the key criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the uranium dissolution and noble metal retention. A parametric study indicated that the diffusion of reactants in the porous fuel matrix was the rate-controlling step to the uranium dissolution from the chopped fuel segments. Anode resistance was the most effective parameter to assess the completeness of uranium dissolution and noble metal retention.
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Li, S.X., Simpson, M.F. Anodic process of electrorefining spent driver fuel in molten LiCl-KCl-UCl3/Cd system. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 22, 192–198 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403322
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403322