2014-Sustainable Industrial Processing Summit
SIPS 2014 Volume 6: Rare Earths & Ionic Liquids
| Editors: | Kongoli F |
| Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
| Publication Year: | 2014 |
| Pages: | 432 pages |
| ISBN: | 978-1-987820-08-9 |
| ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
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Electrochemical reduction of uranium (IV) oxide and its analogues in molten lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic
Leon Brown1; Rema Abdulaziz1; Stefaan Simons1; Douglas Inman1; Daniel Brett1; Paul Shearing1;1UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, London, United Kingdom (Great Britain);
Type of Paper: Regular
Id Paper: 116
Topic: 11
Abstract:
Spent nuclear fuel reprocessing has traditionally utilized liquid-liquid (LLE) extraction techniques, such as the PUREX process. Whilst these processes are well established, they can produce product streams of weapons grade material. Today, the spent fuel reprocessing industry is developing new techniques that will allow for proliferation resistant re-processing methods in closed loop nuclear fuel cycles. Direct electrochemical reduction of the spent oxide fuels coupled with selective electro-refining is one such technique. In this work, the authors have investigated the electrochemical reduction of uranium (IV) oxide and its analogues in the molten lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic. The purpose of this work is to ascertain the necessary conditions for the reduction to proceed and to reveal any limitations of the process. Electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry have been used to investigate the electrochemical reduction. In addition, coupled microstructural characterisation and chemical analysis have been used to ascertain how changes in the microstructure affect the electrochemical reaction pathway as it is proceeding.