| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2020 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
| Presentation Title |
Understanding the Effects of Operating Conditions on UO2 Electroreduction |
| Author(s) |
Krista Hawthorne, Augustus Merwin, James L. Willit, Mark A. Williamson |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Krista Hawthorne |
| Abstract Scope |
Reduction of uranium dioxide to uranium metal is a crucial step in the reprocessing of used oxide nuclear fuels. Typically, this process is carried out electrochemically in a molten LiCl-Li2O (1 wt %) salt at 650 oC with UO2 powder as the cathode and oxygen evolution occurring at a platinum anode. When using platinum anodes, the anode potential must be tightly controlled to ensure that the platinum does not undergo electrochemical dissolution. Alternatively, using graphite anodes produces CO and CO2 during operation in addition to O2; however, the introduction of carbon to the system may lead to carbon contamination in the product. We will present the measured effects of the cell operating conditions on the extent of UO2 reduction and product quality and discuss the roles of the anode material and surface area, applied current, and reduction time on the percent of UO2 converted to U metal. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Supplemental Proceedings volume |