Patent · US Active

Electrorefiner system for recovering purified metal from impure nuclear feed material

US9150975B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
50References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 2011
Grant dateOct 6, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 6, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC25C7/025
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An electrorefiner system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may include a vessel configured to maintain a molten salt electrolyte and configured to receive a plurality of alternately arranged cathode and anode assemblies. The anode assemblies are configured to hold an impure nuclear feed material. Upon application of the power system, the impure nuclear feed material is anodically dissolved and a purified metal is deposited on the cathode rods of the cathode assemblies. A scraper is configured to dislodge the purified metal deposited on the cathode rods. A conveyor system is disposed at a bottom of the vessel and configured to remove the dislodged purified metal from the vessel.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.