Integral U/TRU recovery cathode system for electrorefining used nuclear fuel, method for electrorefining and harvesting metal from used nuclear fuel
US10301729B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/50
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides a system for collecting metal in an electrorefining process, the system having a hollow cathode; and a container defining an upwardly extending surface adapted to be received by the hollow cathode. An embodiment of the invention provides for metal reduction to occur on laterally facing and medially facing surfaces of the cathode such that electrolyte resides between surfaces of the cathode. Also provided is a metal electrorefining process having the steps of subjecting molten salt containing metal moieties to electrolysis wherein reduced metal accumulates in a cathode-cup construct in a first position; raising the construct to a second position above the molten salt while subjecting the construct to heat from the molten salt; withdrawing the cathode from the construct into a vestibule to the electrorefiner to a third position; and removing the cathode and cup from the electrorefiner to a fourth position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.