Development of quantitative analytical methods for the control of actinides in a pyrochemical partitioning process

Abousahl, S.; Belle, P. van; Eberle, H.; Ottmar, H.; Lynch, Brian; Vallet, Pierre; Mayer, K. Ulrich; Ougier, Michel

doi:10.1524/ract.93.3.147.61614

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Salt samples were dissolved in 1 M nitric acid and the concentration of U 3+ was determined both by ICP-MS analysis and by the non-destructive XRF method [13].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the formation of U–Al alloys in the molten LiCl–KCl eutectic

Cassayre

Caravaca

Jardin³

et al. 2008

Journal of Nuclear Materials

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U-Al alloy formation has been studied in the temperature range of 400 -550 °C by electrochemical techniques in the molten LiCl-KCl eutectic. Cyclic voltammetry showed that underpotential reduction of U(III) onto solid Al occurs at a potential about 0.35 V more anodic than pure U deposition. Open circuit potential measurements, recorded after small depositions of U metal onto the Al electrode, did not allow the distinction between potentials associated with UAl x alloys and the Al rest potential, as they were found to be practically identical. As a consequence, a spontaneous chemical reaction between dissolved UCl 3 and Al is thermodynamically possible and was experimentally observed.Galvanostatic electrolyses were carried out both on Al rods and Al plates. Stable and dense U-Al deposits were obtained with high faradic yields, and the possibility to load the whole bulk of a thin Al plate was demonstrated. The analyses (by SEM-EDX and XRD) of the deposits indicated the formation of different intermetallic phases (UAl 2 , UAl 3 and UAl 4 ) depending on the experimental conditions.

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“…Salt samples were dissolved in 1 M nitric acid and the concentration of U 3+ was determined both by ICP-MS analysis and by the non-destructive XRF method [13].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the formation of U–Al alloys in the molten LiCl–KCl eutectic

Cassayre

Caravaca

Jardin³

et al. 2008

Journal of Nuclear Materials

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“…After the electrorefining, the adhered salt on the electrodes was removed by vacuum distillation and/or by washing in ethanol. SEM/EDX and XRD was used for some surface analysis and the deposit composition was investigated by γ spectrometry [13].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrorefining of U-Pu-Zr-alloy fuel onto solid Aluminium cathodes in molten LiCl-KCl

Souček¹,

Cassayre²,

Malmbeck³

et al. 2008

Radiochimica Acta

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An electrorefining process in molten chloride salts using solid aluminium cathodes is being developed at ITU to recover actinides (An) from the spent nuclear fuel. The maximum possible loading of aluminium electrodes with actinides was investigated during the electrorefining of U-Pu-Zr alloy in a LiCl-KCl eutectic at 450 • C. Two different electrolytic techniques were applied during the experiment and almost 6000 C has been passed, corresponding to 3.7 g of deposited actinides. A very high capacity of aluminium to retain actinides has been proven as the average Al : An mass ratio was 1 : 1.58 for galvanostatic and 1 : 2.25 for potentiostatic mode. The obtained deposits were characterized by XRD and SEM-EDX analysis and alloys composed of (U,Pu)Al 3 were detected. The influence of zirconium co-oxidation during the process was also investigated and the presence of dissolved Zr ions in the melt yielded a significant deterioration of the quality of the deposit.

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“…Salt samples were regularly collected with a glass tube and the concentration of An-Ln was analysed by ICP-MS and XRF [9].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%