Recovery of plutonium and uranium into liquid cadmium cathodes at high current densities

Kato, Tetsuya*; Uozumi, Koichi*; Inoue, Tadashi*; Shirai, Osamu*; Iwai, Takashi; Arai, Yasuo

Proceedings of GLOBAL2003 Atoms for Prosperity; Updating Eisenhower's Global Vision for Nuclear Energy (CD-ROM), p.1591 - 1595, 2003/11

Electrolysis experiments were carried to recover plutonium and uranium into liquid cadmium cathodes from molten salt at high cathode current densities. In the electrolysis at 101mA/cm, 10.4wt.% of heavy metals in the cathode was recovered at almost 100% of current efficiency. In the electrolysis at 156mA/cm, the cathode potential ascended after approximately 8wt.% of heavy metals was recovered and some deposit was observed outside of the crucible.