Review of Thermodynamic and Kinetic Data for the Molten-Tin Process

摘要

This report gives a brief description of the Molten Tin Process for nuclear fuel reprocessing, and summarizes the available data on thermodynamics and kinetics that pertain to the process. The two main reactions of concern in the process are illustrated by: MO sub 2 (s) + 2C(in Sn sol'n) implies M(in Sn sol'n) + 2CO(g), and M(in Sn sol'n) + 1/2 N sub 2 (g) implies MN(s), where M represents U or some other element in an oxide fuel. It is especially important for the Molten Tin Process to have information on the chemical activities of metals dissolved in tin at temperatures in the vicinity of 1900 exp 0 K. Sufficient thermodynamic and kinetic information is presented in this report to show that the various steps in the Molten Tin Process are scientifically feasible, but more information will need to be experimentally determined to work out a detailed process flow sheet.