U+4 generation in HTER
US7011736B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25C7/005
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A improved device and process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular uranium metal, that facilitates the refinement and recovery of uranium metal from spent metallic nuclear fuels. The electrorefiner device comprises two anodes in predetermined spatial relation to a cathode. The anodese have separate current and voltage controls. A much higher voltage than normal for the electrorefining process is applied to the second anode, thereby facilitating oxidization of uranium (III), U+, to uranium (IV), U+4. The current path from the second anode to the cathode is physically shorter than the similar current path from the second anode to the spent nuclear fuel contained in a first anode shaped as a basket. The resulting U+4 oxidizes and solubilizes rough uranium deposited on the surface of the cathode. A softer uranium metal surface is left on the cathode and is more readily removed by a scraper.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.