Studies on electrochemical behavior of uranium species in choline chloride-urea eutectic for developing electrolytically treating method of uranium-bearing wastes

Ohashi, Yusuke ; Asanuma, Noriko*; Harada, Masayuki*; Tanaka, Yoshio ; Ikeda, Yasuhisa*

As one of methods for recovering uranium from the uranium-bearing wastes, we have proposed the electrolytic deposition method using choline chloride-urea (CCU) which is known as an ambient temperature molten salt. More than 92% of uranium components in inactivated alumina and spent sodium fluoride adsorbent was dissolved into CCU solution. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the solutions prepared by dissolving uranium-bearing wastes in CCU were measured in the potential range of -2.0 to 1.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The one reduction peak was observed around -0.7 V for all solutions. Based on the results of CVs, bulk electrolyses of the solutions dissolving uranium-bearing wastes were also carried out at -1.5V at 80 C. The deposits were formed on a carbon electrode as cathode. Consequently, we confirmed that CCU is effective media for recovering uranium selectively from uranium-bearing waste.