Electrochemical Behavior of Tellurium Species in LiCl-KCl Molten Salts

摘要

During the nuclear fission process various isotopes are formed as a result of radioactive decay. Fission of ~(235)U produces four short lived tellurium isotopes, and additional isotopes are produced due to (3-decay during cooling of the used fuel. Tellurium content of the used fuel is about 0.092 wt% in the form of Cs_ 2Te and noble metal tellurides. During pyroprocessing of used nuclear fuels in molten salt, tellurium could exist as insoluble Te(0) or soluble Te~(2-). Presence of tellurium in the form of liquid, vapor or Te~(2-) could result in embrittlement of structural alloys. Therefore, it is important to understand the electrochemistry of tellurium species in the molten salt for stable operation of pyroprocessing units and molten salt reactors.