Title:
ACTINIDE PRODUCTION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001041152
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for reducing to metallic form a metal oxide present in spent nuclear fuel, the process comprising cathodically electrolysing the actinide oxide in the presence of a molten salt electrolyte, the potential of the cathode being controlled so as to favour oxygen ionisation over deposition of the metal from the cations present in the molten salt. The invention allows for the reduction of the metal oxide to a metallic form by the use of a single electrochemical process, with oxygen being produced as the only by-product.
Inventors:
HATTER JUSTINE ELIZABETH (GB)
THIED ROBERT CHARLES (GB)
THIED ROBERT CHARLES (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2000/004604
Publication Date:
March 21, 2002
Filing Date:
December 04, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
BRITISH NUCLEAR FUELS PLC (GB)
HATTER JUSTINE ELIZABETH (GB)
THIED ROBERT CHARLES (GB)
HATTER JUSTINE ELIZABETH (GB)
THIED ROBERT CHARLES (GB)
International Classes:
C25C3/34; C25C7/02; G21C19/44; C25C7/06; G21C19/48; (IPC1-7): G21C19/48; C25C3/34
Foreign References:
| USH000857H | 1990-12-04 | |||
| US4880506A | 1989-11-14 | |||
| US5650053A | 1997-07-22 |
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